seeksocean,
Thanks for starting this thread. My husband and I sound just like you (50-ish, and the ret) -- and we'll be in the Maes B&B this July for 4 nights. So thanks for the thread. I can't wait to hear about your trip after your return :)
Paule

oops, 50ish and the rest. That is, like to explore, moderately adventurous (although your paragliding dh is a tad more adventurous than either of us). Again, thanks. Looking forward to our trip in July.
Paule

Thanks for the responses! Maryanne, which Tulip tour did you take? Was it the Viator or a different tour?

ttt

seeksocean - I am looking forward to your report when you get back. I am going to Amsterdam for the first time in October.

I am staying at Maes B&B also and want to know what think of it.

Tom

Back for a couple weeks now and we had GREAT trip all the way around, all countries. I am maxed these days, so a trip report can't quite happen yet, but I wanted to extend a few things to you.

Maes was great!! Never met Ken, but Vlad was an excellent host. The location was perfect and the breakfast was a great typical meal. The kitchen was open 24/7 to guests.

The only things I noticed, that I would change are two things. 1)There was no lock on our door and no safe in the room. Although I felt comfortable with the other guests, I felt that it wouldn't have been too big a deal to put the small room safe in each room.

The other thing that seemed strange was that neither the towels, nor the sheets were ever changed during my 4 nights there. The room was bascically left untouched, with the exception of the trash taken out.

I talked to another guest and she said that she had been there almost a week with no towel or sheet change. I never asked, because I thought that was the way it was.

Anyway, those were minor things compared to all the great things.

I need to run, but the I-Amsterdam card was well worth the purchase!!

I'll write more later.

We'll be in Amsterdam for five days in October so can't wait for your trip report.

Our anticipation grows with everything we learn about the city and area.

Byrd

seeksocean - Thank you for reporting back on your stay at Maes. I look forward to your trip report.

Tom

Okay, As soon as I get a few more minutes I'll type some stuff up. But maybe, what is more likely is I'll add things on this thread, as I have the time to type it. a Little here, a little there.

My 'Trip Report' may be a bunch of these kind of thoughts. Bare with me.

The I-Amsterdam card is well worth getting. You can pick it up outside the train station. Just leave the station and go to your left. Walk a little way and you'll see the Tourist shop with , I think a VVV. The card comes with a little book (not just a booklet). It's really helpful.

We used many things. The unlimited public transportation was fabulous!! The free canal ride was a treat.

We especially LOVED the Amsterdam Historical Museum and the Van Gough Museum. Well thought out, both of them!

The Rijks (sp?..sorry)museum was being renovated and was very limited. I think the renovation is lasting quite a long time, and if it weren't the most famous museum, I could have lived without it.

Truthfully, we saw soooo many museums between Paris, Amsterdam and Italy that I often joked that we should sniff some coffee beans between each room, just to clear our brain. By the end, if I saw one more religous piece of artwork I was going to.....become a Nun or something!


Back to the card..there are some good 20% off coupons with the card. We loved the Pancake House!!!!! More like big crepes. Yummy!!!! There was an Argentine restaurant as well 20%off that we liked. You'll see it in the book that the card comes with.

Gotta go, but I'll be back with more.

seeksocean,
MORE, please!

I was curious about your comments about Maes B&B, We will be leaving in July and staying there, and I wonder if not changing towels/sheets is the norm for B&Bs as a way to keep the costs down. Certainly their prices are very modest compared to a hotel stay. Otherwise your experience sounded good.

About the I-Amsterdam card...do others think it worthwhile? My husband and I will be there for 4 nights/three days as well, but I'm concerned that crowds will mean that we'll spread out our museum visits over the 3 days and may not benefit by having a pass for that long. Does it help bypass the lines? Any other people have experience with the pass?

Would love to hear more about your trip!
Paule

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