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Spain, France, Netherlands with 18, 19 yo grandsons

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Spain, France, Netherlands with 18, 19 yo grandsons

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Old Apr 23rd, 2014, 02:11 PM
  #21  
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That's a good plan, to get the museum card. Thanks for the heads up. I will check on when and where I can purchase that card.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2014, 03:22 PM
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You can purchase that card at any participating museum - I go to a lesser one with no line to buy mine rather than wait in an oft long line at say the Rijksmuseum - like the innocuous Allard Pierson Museum right near Dan Square - even if I do not go into the museum itself. Anyway no need to pre-order and no photo required though it may say that - I asked and they said no but maybe things have changed on that. Good for one year.
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Old Apr 24th, 2014, 05:20 AM
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http://www.amsterdam.info/museums/museumkaart/

List of participating museums in the Museum Card - note that the Anne Frank House was added recently - so makes it even a better deal for many.
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Old Apr 24th, 2014, 07:04 AM
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Yes, that really makes a differenceI
Pal, thank you so much for taking so much time to help out with this trip. I'm getting very excited and I hate to admit it but on April 26 I will officially put the suitcase on the bed and start putting things out that I may take. The trip starts May 26. As departure nears I can fine tune clothes. I take a 21 inch bag and a small backpack for the carry-on, camera, iPad, documents, etc. Moving around as much as we'll be doing this time I don't want to take too much.
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Old Apr 24th, 2014, 08:57 AM
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I will officially put the suitcase on the bed and start putting things out that I may take>

As the old motto goes ack and then take half of all things out you really do not need and leave them at home.
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Old Apr 24th, 2014, 09:10 AM
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Take half as much stuff and twice as much money.
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Old Apr 24th, 2014, 10:31 AM
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http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ite-things.cfm

some of my and others favorite things about Amsterdam!
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Old Apr 24th, 2014, 01:30 PM
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You seem like a non-helicopter granny and a loving one to honor this promise. This trip sounds as if whatever you all do, it will be memorable. My children are close to one grandmother and I know their times with her have been priceless. Brava!Enjoy!
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Old Apr 25th, 2014, 04:31 AM
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Take half as much stuff and twice as much money.>

yup that is an old motto now - no need to take much moolah with ATMs and credit cards taken everywhere. But if going by train packing light is imperative. Even with two strong young lads with you. And luggage should always have wheels.
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Old Apr 25th, 2014, 04:32 AM
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Let's revise it for 2014: Take half as much stuff and two debit cards.
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Old Apr 25th, 2014, 05:39 AM
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'And the legal drinking age for beer at least in Holland is 16 I believe'

It's gone up to 18, since January this year.

A pity you fly home before the world cup football starts - watching a match on the big screens in Amsterdam would be quite an experience. The field hockey world championship is taking place in The Hague while you are in Amsterdam, but is probably of less interest to them. The Dutch are favorites for the gold, at field hockey at least!

Second the suggestion for renting a boat in Amsterdam.
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Old Apr 25th, 2014, 05:58 AM
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Tulips, the boys would definitely be interested in the world cup and hockey championship. One grandson is just home from Hong Kong, played in the Junior Men's Rugby Trophy competition. In fact, our trip had to be planned around his rugby commitments and the other grandson's school schedule, so even had we known about these events it would not be possible to change our dates.

Pal, I so agree about the packing light and trains! For my London/Scotland trip last year even though I did pack as light as I could, 21 inch roller and small backpack, it was still a lot getting on and off the trains. The backpack mainly held my DSLR and iPad, so it wasn't really heavy, but still dealing with it and the roller could get awkward. I am working on even lighter packing.
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Old Apr 25th, 2014, 07:34 AM
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http://www.stayamsterdam.com/amsterd...Fe87MgodsysAfQ

Have you considered renting a houseboat for your Amsterdam sojourn - if not check them out - some are on unbelievably cute canals smack in the center of the Jordaan, arguably the cutest canals in Amsterdam!
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Old Apr 25th, 2014, 07:58 AM
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I love the Jordaan area, DH said if we could move to Europe that's where he wanted to live! That didn't happen, but it really is a beautiful area. Our hotel is already booked, not a houseboat, but a canal house. I didn't think of the houseboat, since we not there for a whole week, but I should have at least checked.
My traveling cousin and I are hoping to get to Amsterdam and she is a boat lover, so I think she will be very interested in renting one.
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Old Apr 25th, 2014, 11:50 AM
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http://www.poezenboot.nl/?taal=uk

In the Jordaan check out the unique cat boat!
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Old May 13th, 2014, 04:27 AM
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Two weeks from today we arrive in Barcelona! Why does it seem like I still have so much to do when I've been working on this trip for almost a year? There always seems to be some urgent matter than must be dealt with just before a trip, and this time is no exception.
I've never traveled this time of year, so I am figuring out what to take.
Thanks to all of you who have helped, and eventually I will post some photos and maybe even a trip report.
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Old May 13th, 2014, 01:14 PM
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Challiman - I have looked through your thread but don't see where in Spain you are going? It is pretty warm where we have been in Spain... (Madrid, Granda, Ronda...tomorrow Seville) ... I only have 21 inch bag and still managed to bring a few too many things - take a few things out
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Old May 13th, 2014, 03:59 PM
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Mom, will will start out in Barcelona for a few days, arriving May 27, then to Avignon, France for a few, then Paris for 5, then Amsterdam for 5.
I've been following the weather a bit and it looks pretty good, but I've seen your photos and it does look warm. I'm only bringing a 21 inch, too, so I'll be careful about how much I try to stuff in there. At least clothes this time of year aren't heavy.
I'll need a light jacket and maybe another layer, especially for Amsterdam, but we'll see. I think the rugby playing grandson plays rugby in the snow or 100 degrees, so whatever the weather he'll be fine.
Loving your photos, keep them coming!
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Old May 13th, 2014, 04:01 PM
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We are Amsterdam right now, and we need our jacket and a light sweater plus rain gear. If you look at historical temps it will be in the low 60's during the day.

Barcelona is shirt sleeve weather at the end of May.
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Old May 13th, 2014, 05:45 PM
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Thanks, IMDonehere! I always have rain gear, almost never need it, but when I do, I really need it!
Also, Amsterdam is the only place we're staying without A/C, which concerns me a little, but hopefully we'll be comfy enough if the weather stays cool.
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