I'm scheduled to fly through Amsterdam in mid- to late November after a working trip to Nairobi, Kenya, for a week. Being the obsessive traveler that I am, I am spending far too much time on the Kenya part of the trip, which is a big unknown for me (though I'll be under the auspices of the UN there and much will be taken care of) and have little or no time to do research on the two days we may be able to spend in Amsterdam on the way home.

I've been to Amsterdam a couple of times before, but the last time was about 15 years ago (!). My travel partner has never been there (but he has lived all over the world and is an intrepid traveler).

So, if you had about 48 hours in Amsterdam and wanted a romantic experience after some grueling work in Africa, what would you do for two days, and where would you stay? Money is not a huge object, but we're not looking for opulence - let's say $250 a night or less. We can do more if it's required at today's exchange rate.

I'm thinking for travel partner we must see the Ann Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum and take some sort of boat ride, but frankly, it's been so many years since I've been there I'm not sure at all.

All recommendations welcome.

www.shadowfestival.nl
www.idfa.nl

There are 2 short film festivals going on over 2+ weeks at the end of november, sound quite interesting and i suppose cinema is kinda romantic.

theres also a cool art/antiques fair in the RAI 18th-25th nov
http://www.pan-amsterdam.nl/

Also get a nice apt in central amsterdam, singel canal or amstel river, scenic, 17th century buildings etc.

Hi, St Cirq - you had a similar post and it has a couple of responses on it...

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35086211

Try here this is a 'short break' guide to Amsterdam

www.travelsavvy-amsterdam.com

StCirq, my husband and I spent four days in Amsterdam earlier this month and found that two days were enough for a good overview for us (although we found some places we wanted to visit were closed). We ended up taking two day trips out.

In our short time there we found the Jordaan area by far the most to our liking. Well-located, full of great restaurants and cafes, quiet, and very much a neighbourhood.

We stayed at the *** Canal House in a double overlooking the canal at E150 a night, and would return. It also had lovely rooms overlooking the garden area, although the garden will be a bit spare in November.

We did the Fodor's walking tour of the Jordaan; visited the Van Gogh Museum; the Rijksmuesum; "cruised" one leg of the Canal Bus; visited Dam Square; etc.

Both the Maritime Museum and and Stelelijk Museums were closed as was the Grand Palace (name?). We couldn't get into the Nieuwe Kerk as well as the "older" church whose name escapes me. The Cobra Museum seemed too far so we gave it a miss.

We walked everywhere, and loved the architecture, the people and the vibe of the city. A resident described Amsterdam as a "large village" and that seemed to fit.

The Stedelijk was shut? You went to the right place by the station, on the Oosterdokskade?
The Koninklijke Paleis is indeed shut until 2009.

If you want to visit the AnneFrankhuis then I would book your tickets in advance to avoid the queues, the same with the Van Gogh museum. There is an extra exhibition at the Van Gogh at the moment, Barcelona 1900 which looks interesting.
Boat tours are available along Rokin and take only about an hour.
If you are in Amsterdam on the 18th November you can watch the arrival of Sinterklaas into the city. He sails in up the Amstel then rides his white horse through the streets.

You are right, the Stedelijk near/in Centraal Station is open but the main museum near the Van Gogh is closed for renos.

Thank you all so much for all this information. I just nailed down dates and bought airline tickets today, and looks like we'll be in A'dam November 23 for 4 nights. With that in mind, do you think we should plan a day trip (or two) or even an overnight somewhere else? I do remember the Het Loo museum was a highlight of my last trip years ago. Is that a good day trip (easy to get to on public transportation)?

I've not been to A'dam for 25+ years and my travel partner has never been there. I know it's a small city, but would we really get bored in 3.5 days? I tend not to get bored no matter where I am, but I do like moving around a bit and seeing new things (and exposing travel partners to stuff they've never experienced).

I know I need to do my own research, but I'm rather overwhelmed with the Kenya portion of the trip and the fact that I just found out I'm leaving two weeks from today - yikes!

ttt

If you like art, eating, shopping and exploring, you definitely will not get bored. I spent a 3-day weekend there and never stopped moving. It would have been nice to have a slower pace and not rush so much. I took an afternoon out to the Tulip exhibit that begins with a K... (it was May) and later wished I had skipped that for more time in Amsterdam (well, esp. since I had missed the blooms..)

The Jordaan neighborhood is quite special, and the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh, and Rijksmuseum are must sees. I wasn't as thrilled with the canal cruise but it was in the rain so perhaps that's why. I visited the Rembrandt home which is nice if you have time but not a must see IMHO... I did really enjoy the little canal houseboat museum which is not far from the Anne Frank house I think...

I can't speak to other trips outside the city since I only did the one. Girl with a Pearl Earring is in a museum in The Hague but I don't really know how big of a trip that is... I have read other threads on Fodors about much-loved trips outside the city... some included biking which admittedly is not my thing but in Amsterdam I actually though it looked fun...

Enjoy - I really loved my time in Amsterdam and can't wait to return...

StCirq, Het Loo is an easy day trip - take the train to Apeldoorn, then bus 102 or 104 to the palace. Obviously the gardens won't be at their best, but the Palace and Stables are worth a visit. It is closed on Mondays.

We visited Amsterdam for three days last year on the same weekend--US Thanksgiving holiday--and really enjoyed it. We were pretty lucky with the weather and most enjoyed just strolling in the canal rings and Jordaan. We spent time at the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Ann Frankhuis, Museum Amstelkring, flower market, and Noordermarkt, and we most definitely were not bored. In fact, I'm trying to figure out how I can get back there sometime soon. We posted a mini-trip report and some photos here--but can't remember if I did or mr_go did. Have a great time!

We were in Amsterdam a week ago and really enjoyed taking a day trip to visit Den Haag (the Hague). Best was the Mauritushuis museum which we were drawn to for its collection of Vermeers, but stumbled across its fabulous special exhibit on the Dutch portrait painters. I was in awe and have a whole new appreciation for them!