Amsterdam on your own...what did you do?

Looking also for canal boat info..such a where is the boat dock,.how did you get there and what else did you do?:)

http://www.viator.com/Amsterdam/d525-ttd?activities=all

Is a good website to see about tours. As for the canal tours they are easy to find. I can't remember the name of the street, but it's easy to find. As for the tours you just walk up and purchase tickets. There are several to pick from and several routes to take.

The one tour I didn't like was this one.

Half Day Tour to Zaanse Schans Windmills, Marken and Volendam

I found the tour rushed and the guide beyond rude.

We bought the Amsterdam Card which included the public transporation (hop-on bus and canal boats plus museums). The Ann Frank House is not included in the Amsterdam Card. If you are only there one day, it is probably not worth getting the card.

See the Ann Frank House and take a canal boat ride. Since we were there for 3-days pre-cruise, we also saw the Van Gogh Museum, Riskmueum (sp?), Heinken Factory, Hop-on/off bus and Red light District. Was amazed at the bicycle parking garage (about 3000+bicycles). A very interesting and enjoyable city.

Looking also for canal boat info..such a where is the boat dock' date='.how did you get there and what else did you do?:)[/quote']

 

The cruise-terminal in Amsterdam is just east of centraal station and close to city-center. It also has a tramconnection nr. 25.

To get to the city from the airport either a cab (about Euro 40.- depending on traffic and to which hotel), or the hotelshuttle:

http://www.schipholhotelshuttle.nl/site/home.asp

or one of the frequent trains( at least 4 each hour). Train isnot very comfortable if you have much luggage, you have to put it in and from the train yourself and there is little storageroom. Keep on eye on your luggage at all times.

On this map http://www.amsterdam.info/print/map/

at B4 and B5 you see where the station and the terminal are situated.

in Amsterdam you can buy a I Amsterdampass:

http://www.amsterdamtourist.nl/en/home/good+to+know/I+amsterdam+Card.aspx

Check what if offered and see if it is worth for you to buy it.

For just public transporation either buy single tickets, a strippenkaart (which you validate by section and person) or the 24 hr. daycard.

http://www.gvb.nl/english/travellers/tickets-and-fares/Pages/Ticketsandfares.aspx

 

At least make a canlboat ride, the nicest way to see the city. Either during the day or at night with extra options like "wine and cheese".

If visiting Ann Frank house, book your tickets online to avoid the sometimes longlines.

http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?pid=1&lid=1&setlanguage=2

Apart from the visit Van Goghmuseum and/or Rijksmuseum, just walk along the canals, visit flowermarket, have a drink on an terrace and watch people walk by.

 

 

More info can be found on the tourist office site:

http://www.amsterdamtourist.nl/

I'll be doing a lot of Amsterdam on my own and walking. I'll be at a hotel on

Prinsengracht near the Anne Frank House. Most of the things I want to see will be well walkable from the hotel.

One museum I want to see is Rijksmuseum. Not THAT far. And while I might walk one way, I'd like to find a tram, etc. for the other way back to hotel.

There's a little shuttle called "De Opstapper" that appears to run along Prinsengracht. Is is reliable, easy to use? Looking at the present schedule, it appears it neither runs on Sundays, nor after 6pm. Are the hours/days extended in summer months?

Are there other ways anyone might suggest to get back toward Anne Frank House end of Prinsengacht if I get tired?

Thanks.

We used Rick Steves' book on Amsterdam-excellent! He gives lots of suggestions, complete with maps with money and time saving tips on how to thoroughly see Amsterdam on your own. Amsterdam is a great city for tourists, easy to get around and lots of interesting things to see!

De opstapper is more a kind of service-line, which doesnot run all the time. Rumors are it might stop due to just a few passenger.

However if you look at the network map, you will see there always will be a street nearby where a tram stops, so will never have to walk far.

http://www.gvb.nl/english/travellers/maps/Pages/Networkmap.aspx

De opstapper is more a kind of service-line, which doesnot run all the time. Rumors are it might stop due to just a few passenger.

However if you look at the network map, you will see there always will be a street nearby where a tram stops, so will never have to walk far.

http://www.gvb.nl/english/travellers/maps/Pages/Networkmap.aspx

Ine:

Thanks for the tram link. As always, you've been most helpful to us all.

Martha

Hello...

We actually spent 9 land days in Amsterdam and never ran out of museums. Other than those impressive museums already mentioned, we fell in love with the Tropenmuseum (accessible by tram), a museum of anthropology devoted to textiles, art, sculptures, etc. from all over the world. It's in a beautiful large building and curated very well. I think it's a "don't miss", although I rarely see it mentioned.

Enjoy your trip!

murphysmum;)

Not far from the Tropenmuseum is the Dutch Resistance museum or Verzetsmuseum. It was extremely well done, and while it took longer to get through than we had planned, we were amazed the entire time. You walk up Platage Middlelaan toward Centraal station.

We had 2 days precruise in Amsterdam, and were just delighted with our time there. Our hotel was on a canal, and we got to spend one day just walking around getting the feel of the city, and one day museum hopping. It was the perfect introduction to Amsterdam and to our cruise.

I loved the Van Gough museum, it had so many of his famous paintings. I watched a BBC miniseries about him before the trip, so I knew his life story and the times in which the paintings were created. As others have said, a canal boat ride is also very enjoyable.

The Anne Frank museum is a MUST SEE. They have redone it since I saw it in 1969 but it is better now. I would suggest getting tickets online in advance as there is a huge line. We walked, walked walked! Red light district, flower market, canal tour , which we picked up right off the boat and the old Spanish/ Portugese synagogue. Very charming city!

The Anne Frank house is really good. We also enjoyed the canal ride which I pre-booked online. We checked out a street market and had lunch at the hardrock cafe. There are also some really good museums.

I heartily recommend the Anne Frank House too. Also, if you are there during the times in April and early May when the tulips are in bloom DO NOT miss a visit to Keukenhof!! http://www.keukenhof.nl/

Hello...

 

We actually spent 9 land days in Amsterdam and never ran out of museums. Other than those impressive museums already mentioned, we fell in love with the Tropenmuseum (accessible by tram), a museum of anthropology devoted to textiles, art, sculptures, etc. from all over the world. It's in a beautiful large building and curated very well. I think it's a "don't miss", although I rarely see it mentioned.

Interesting that you spent so much time in museums. That is one thing that the Netherlands have and that is great museums. If it is rainy or cold they are a haven!

I found a web site that was put together by a young man in Holland that lists almost 900 museums in that small country. Anyone interested might go to the following http://www.dutchmuseumsite.com/

The web site for the 'Tropenmuseum' really tells the story of that one http://www.tropenmuseum.nl/-/MUS/5853/Tropenmuseum

But there are so many more!!!

I'll be doing a lot of Amsterdam on my own and walking. I'll be at a hotel on

Prinsengracht near the Anne Frank House. Most of the things I want to see will be well walkable from the hotel.

Since you like to walk and want to do that in Amsterdam, you should at least take a look at the two 'Walking Tours of Amsterdam'. They provide a map, history and lots of details.

From your hotel you can easily pick up the thread along the way.

http://www.*****.com/Amsterdam.html

and

http://www.*****.com/amsterdam2.html

Have a great time!

"The Heiniken Experience" in the orginal brewery building, and if its not summertime some of the horses will be there as well, off one of the canals, its great and you get 2 drink tix with your entrance fee AND a souvenir to take home.

Great info on Amsterdam.

http://www.viator.com/Amsterdam/d525-ttd?activities=all

 

Is a good website to see about tours. As for the canal tours they are easy to find. I can't remember the name of the street, but it's easy to find. As for the tours you just walk up and purchase tickets. There are several to pick from and several routes to take.

 

The one tour I didn't like was this one.

Half Day Tour to Zaanse Schans Windmills, Marken and Volendam

 

I found the tour rushed and the guide beyond rude.

Different people see things differently. Yes the half day tour to Zaanse Schans Windmills, Marken and Volendam is rushed. You don't seem to have much time at each stop, but that's true of almost any day tour you go on. Lots was packed into that 4 hours. We loved the open air museum at Zaans Schans and seeing how the Dutch used to live and work. Marken was a quick walk thru, but we had about an hour at the fishing village of Volendam. Plus we stopped at a cheese factory and learned/saw how the cheese is made (that was very interesting). I even bought souvenir balls of cheese to take home.

There is a good station for canal cruises right across the street from Central Station. I believe there is a hop on/hop off canal cruise too.

And I don't think anybody has mentioned The Royal Palace, The War Memorial and Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) at Dam Square. Leaving Central Station on Damrak, you go straight up to Dam Square. I'm not cussing, that's really what they are called. Here is a nice map of Amsterdam.

http://www.hot-map.com/en/amsterdam

We didn't actually spend a lot of time in Amsterdam, we spent so much time traveling around Holland. We were in Maastricht, Arnhem, Oosterbeek, Mepple, Giethoorn & Alkmaar. We traveled South to see the Delta Works, to the North to Westerbork, to Het Loo Palace, The War Museum & Cemetery in Arnhem (our B&B actually had bullet holes left from WWII), Delft, and Keukenhof. Poor Amsterdam got the short end of the visit. We used it as our base, but moved all around on the train pass. We did make time to visit Anne Frank House, ride a canal tour, visit the Floating Flower Market, walk the Red Light District, and have a few delightful dinners, but we had two weeks in Holland, and I'd love to go back again. The Dutch were so friendly and helpful and actually were not offended when we spoke English (unlike some other countries I've visited).

You'll have a great time in Amsterdam!

The Dutch were so friendly and helpful and actually were not offended when we spoke English (unlike some other countries I've visited).

 

You'll have a great time in Amsterdam!

In fact I heard that the Dutch prefer us to speak English rather than listen to us struggle with their language.

As for the canal tours they are easy to find. I can't remember the name of the street, but it's easy to find. As for the tours you just walk up and purchase tickets. There are several to pick from and several routes to take.

 

The one tour I didn't like was this one.

Half Day Tour to Zaanse Schans Windmills, Marken and Volendam

 

I found the tour rushed and the guide beyond rude.

We took that tour (run by Lindbergh Travel) last November and other than the fact that it was freezing cold it was fine. We took the canal cruise with Gray Line. There is a Ticket place on the street that goes from the central Station to Dam Square across thr street from the Gray Line boat dock. Their prices are lower than buying from the tour company.

In fact I heard that the Dutch prefer us to speak English rather than listen to us struggle with their language.

Right on.

I speak a bit of Dutch (was born there) but it is 'rusty'.

When we were in Amsterdam last time I asked a taxi driver where to go for a certain hotel. I thought my question was in perfectly good 'nederlands'.

He aswered me in English!!!!

I heartily recommend the Anne Frank House too. Also, if you are there during the times in April and early May when the tulips are in bloom DO NOT miss a visit to Keukenhof!! http://www.keukenhof.nl/

There are wonderful pictures of the flowers of Keukenhof at this web site.

Has anyone attended the Flower parade that goes 40 KM and passes the gardens? this is a day that we are at or near the gardens on our river cruise and wonder if this is a "big deal"?

A person in Greece told me that when you were a little country with a unique language, then you better learn another language at a young age because no one is learning yours. If you can't speak other languages you can't earn, learn or chat on internet!:)

Perhaps the Dutch know that tourists will not speak Dutch and the language of money is world wide and sorta sounds like English.

There are wonderful pictures of the flowers of Keukenhof at this web site.

 

Has anyone attended the Flower parade that goes 40 KM and passes the gardens? this is a day that we are at or near the gardens on our river cruise and wonder if this is a "big deal"?

If you have a chance to see the parade, aosolutely do it. It is amazing how they can build all type of figures etc by using hyacinths, tulips and other flowers. The parade ends in Haarlem.

http://www.bloemencorso-bollenstreek.nl/index.asp?lan=en