Amsterdam

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:46 am

So I've never actually left the contiguous United States before and I will be correcting that glaring oversight in December. Long story short: My brother in law is serving in Iraq, gets two weeks of leave at Xmas, we (myself and my folks and siblings) are going to visit him in Germany where he and my sister live.
We'll be there for two weeks so my brother and I are going to head up to Amsterdam to do ... things ... I'm looking for any kind of advice I can get, especially regarding hotels. Nothing too fancy, we'll only be there for a couple of nights, just something decent that isn't too far removed from the fun. Again, I'm not leaving until Decemeber so I welcome any and all suggestions.

skinz74 · Post by **skinz74** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 12:31 pm

I was there for a few days back in '95, and the best advice I can give is...if you're going to 'partake' in the local customs, act like you've been there before. I was amazed at how I could pick out the Americans from the locals. The Dutch/Europeans were sipping coffee/tea and reading the newspaper while toking, while the American tables were completely out of control.

Besides that, I really enjoyed the canals,the pubs, and the old world feel of the city. I fell into the canal, but that's another story. Just beware of the red light district. NO HOLDS BARRED. Trannies, bondage, any fetish you can imagine. And if you're unsure about a club...some of them have VERY graphic photos posted outside, so enter at your own risk.

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 12:36 pm

Zoiks!!! That sounds crazy!! Just in case, pack an extra flexi-straw.

skinsRin · Post by **skinsRin** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 12:43 pm

Fios, I am from Holland, I go back every year once or twice. Most of my family lives there, what would you like to know? There are so many things to do and see. I am suprised skinz74 is still alive after falling into a canal, those canals are filthy and full of crap! As far as clubs go there are many normal ones and crazy ones, the one skinz was talking about it called "IT" eveything happens in there.

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 12:47 pm

skinsRin wrote:Fios, I am from Holland..

...ishn't dat veird????!!! Yesh, yesh, yesh...

Sorry, it was too tempting... Carry on.

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 2:02 pm

REDEEMEDSKIN wrote:Zoiks!!! That sounds crazy!! Just in case, pack an extra flexi-straw.

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 3:00 pm

skinsRin wrote:Fios, I am from Holland, I go back every year once or twice. Most of my family lives there, what would you like to know? There are so many things to do and see. I am suprised skinz74 is still alive after falling into a canal, those canals are filthy and full of crap! As far as clubs go there are many normal ones and crazy ones, the one skinz was talking about it called "IT" eveything happens in there.

Basic recommendations I'm looking for are cool/relatively inexpesive places to stay for a couple of nights for two guys (myself and my brother) a "if you're going to go there you MUST see this" suggestion or two and any "don't be a dumbass American" tips. Any restaurant recommendations are helpful and, if you know anything about the ... er ... higher quality coffee shops, that would be cool too. I'm going to do as much research on my own as I can so if there is some resource you recomend, I'd be happy to look at it.
Thanks in advance

Punu · Post by **Punu** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 3:14 pm

if you know anything about the ... er ... higher quality coffee shops,

sorry I just gotta say this...

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh your gonna have fun.

skins81 · Post by **skins81** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 7:03 pm

Stay away from those dirth whores.
You have to protect your straw, FIOS

skinsRin · Post by **skinsRin** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:15 am

Fios wrote:
skinsRin wrote:Fios, I am from Holland, I go back every year once or twice. Most of my family lives there, what would you like to know? There are so many things to do and see. I am suprised skinz74 is still alive after falling into a canal, those canals are filthy and full of crap! As far as clubs go there are many normal ones and crazy ones, the one skinz was talking about it called "IT" eveything happens in there.

Basic recommendations I'm looking for are cool/relatively inexpesive places to stay for a couple of nights for two guys (myself and my brother) a "if you're going to go there you MUST see this" suggestion or two and any "don't be a dumbass American" tips. Any restaurant recommendations are helpful and, if you know anything about the ... er ... higher quality coffee shops, that would be cool too. I'm going to do as much research on my own as I can so if there is some resource you recomend, I'd be happy to look at it.
Thanks in advance

Here is a list of things I sugest to go and see.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:12 am

skinsRin wrote:[Here is a list of things I sugest to go and see.
Heineken Brewery- great tour, free beer
Rijks/Rembrandt Museum- very nice
Van Gogh Museum- awesome a must go
Wax Museum at the Dam- close to central station and next to to the Royal Palace it's pretty cool
Bulldog- it's a bar, a little touristy but still a must go, there are a bunch of them
Coffee shops-or smoke houses, there are a bunch of them just pick one and get high as hell
House of Anne Frank- pretty cool if your into history
Holland Casino- selfexplanitory
Redlight district ofcourse- lots to see and do there! checkout a sex show.
Lots of shopping-Kalverstraat or Kalver St, Leides St and Leidesplein, Bijenkorf.
Restaurants their are too many to list, The exchange rate is bad for the US dollar right now, so things will seem expensive. just go and have a good time, It's kinda like Vegas what happens in Amsterdam stays in Amsterdam!

Two nights are too short a time to make additional suggestions. But I highlighted my choice.

Ah! There is a great duty-free set of shops at Schiphol airport (with a real good cheese store). Nobody will forgive you back home if you do not bring some great aged Gouda as a gift. (But traditional Dutch porcelain plates are good too).

If you have anywhere near the intention to go to a "happening" bar (not necessarily in the (in)famous red light district) remember to bring protection. Your brother might need it. :wink: