ksm

I will have two full days in Amsterdam; arriving on a Sunday afternoon and leaving on a Wednesday morning. I would be interested in " must do " items. One thing we have liked in other cities is a bike tour. Does anyone have a tour that they would recommend? I saw Mike's Bike Tour- has anyone tried this company? Thanks for the help.

menachem

Mike's has nice tours: if I may suggest: do the Harbour tour, not the city tour. Much more interesting locations, and you'll find yourself in the city, which is eminently walkable, the rest of the time. But those harbour locations you won't be able to see otherwise, and they're very interesting.

"The highlights in the north include the NDSM dock with its revamped warehouse district vibe, the Nieuwendammerdijk (one of the loveliest stretches of houses built on levees throughout the Netherlands), and crossing back over from the north to the south via the system of locks on the eastern side of the harbor. From there we explore the eastern docklands and the modern architecture which exists there before going for a drink."

I know that route, and it's nicer than biking around in the city centre I think. It is a long ride though, 4 hours.

anyegr

menachem: You said "It is a long ride though, 4 hours."

Is that four hours of constant biking or will there be some breaks? I looked at their website and there is no mention of breaks on the harbour tour. They do say that "we must insist that everyone be a good bike rider". Would it be a better idea to do the countryside tour instead, which does mention breaks? I usually bike to/from work during summer, but that's only about 30-45 minutes one way. Four hours sound rather painful.

hetismij2

You could always just hire a bike and take your own sweet time over things.

menachem

It' ll be a slowish pace and you'll have breaks and a chance to explore a little. I think they're more worried about distance. It's odd though that they don't have a break at NDSM, because there are a few good places to have coffee or a drink there. I've guided a few times (though not on a bike) and was always open to suggestions to have a break. I don't know how rigid Mike's is.

this is your tour

http://goo.gl/maps/Z8MR3

It's about 20 km, but the first part is a 20 minute ferry ride, so you're left with about 15 km. You're in a group, if it really takes 4 hours, you would be cycling at 5 km/h, that's walking speed. So I assume you'll be traveling at about 15km/h, which means stopping in lots of places.

anyegr

hetismij2: Yes, but then I'd get lost. I am seriously geographically challenged. And no, a map does NOT help. Memorization does, but that's only useful when I´m planning to repeat the trip, like the one to work.

anyegr

menachem: Thank you for the map of the route. I'm certainly not going to try doing it on my own. I'd get lost after ten minutes.

Maybe I should try a longer bike ride around my own town first (probably getting lost a few times) to see how much I can do. I'm not going to Amsterdam until middle of June, so I have some time to practice.

hetismij2

anyegr - you can use the Fietsknooppunten - number junctions to work out a route and find your way home. Many hire places will also have maps.
Even my 6 year old grandson can cycle more 20kms at a go - it really isn't that far when you get down to it .
I am joshing with you (though he really can ride more than 20Km). Enjoy your bike ride around your home town, and go with Mike's and have a great time. There will be others on the tour who can barely balance so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

anyegr

hetismij2: Most 6 year old boys have a lot of energy. A woman over 40 on the other hand... (yes, I do realize you probably are, too, if you have a grandchild)

Have to go to sleep so I can work tomorrow.

ksm

Thanks for all the bike tour discussion. Do you think you have to book in advance in June time frame?

Any other suggestions of things to do (or places to eat)?

menachem

No, I don't think so, not even in June.

I was serious about NDSM though: even if you choose not to bike all over North, it's a fun ferry ride out there, and it's got 3 great spots for lunch or dinner (4 maybe even):

IJkantine (just opposite where the ferry lands)
Noorderlicht (at the bank of the IJ at the NDSM yard proper)
Pllek,(next to the shipyards's big crane)
Pollux (an old navy training ship)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVR0IOo9hBk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz_e57KnQsA

disclaimer: I had my studio there for 4 years

continuing the harbor theme:

http://www.remeiland.com

Amsterdam is so small, that it's easy to fit something like this even in the timeframe of 2 days. The advantage is that you'll be at spots that Amsterdammers themselves go to, off the beaten track. I know Amsterdam is about canals and museums, but these could be nice alternatives for a morning or for dinner.

ksm

I LOVE off the beaten path. Great suggestions. Thanks

ksm

How about more restaurant options in Amsterdam?

menachem

What kind of restaurants do you frequent at home. Do you want something different from that or something more or less the same?

menachem

There's one that's like a well kept shameful secret and it's Bern on Nieuwmarkt. Call early, because the place is packed every night: they're a swiss restaurant and they do things like fondue and cotelette suisse.

http://cafebern.com

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran..._Province.html

Go for the fondue!

menachem

And during the daytime for lunch Latei on Zeedijk.