Misc. Amsterdam questions

[Ine]

double

[princessmuffles]

I donot know Banragay, but Droogbak isnot really a great area. It is more or less hidden in the area around Centraal Station, you might hear trains passing. I donot think it is a dangerous area, but I wouldnot feel happy to walk there at night.

Have a look at this B & B, I have heard good reports about it:

http://www.flynt.nl/

It is a different area, but about the price you mentioned.

Or this small hotel:

http://www.hotelbrouwer.nl/index.html

 

Unfortunately, there is no availability at Hotel Brouwer during our stay. It's really too bad because I had my heart set on it. We haven't heard back yet about whether there is a room available at Barangay. It's really too bad to hear you say it's in an unsafe area. We read so many great reviews of Barangay on Trip Advisor but if that area is sort of sketchy I am a little hesitant to book it. I think we'd rather a different area than where the Flynt B&B is but thank you for the suggestion. We'd like to be a bit closer to the action (i.e. Cell B4 on this map http://www.amsterdam.info/print/map/ which I think I found on these boards. We're looking for something 150 euro or less/night.

 

As you say above, make those visits. My personal favorite museum is Van Gogh.

Shopping is in the 9 streets and also in Kalverstraat, the big store Bijenkorf at Dam. Upscale and expensive are shops in PC Hooftstraat near Rijksmuseum and van Gogh.

Make reservations on-line for Ann Frank to avoid the lines.

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

 

I'm glad to hear you say Van Gogh Museum is your favorite as I think we've decided to make that the one museum we will go to while we're there. We will definitely book Ann Frank ahead of time, thanks for the tip.

 

All shops in citycenter are open on Sunday between 11.00 and 5 pm.

For the atmosphere (lighted brudges etc.) RLD is nicer at night, but a little safer during the day. If you stay at the busy streets, you will be o.k.

 

Regarding canal tours: have read mixed reviews of HOHO vs. a guided, fixed time tour.

Personally I like the fix canaltours as you get more information. Or du the HoHo during the day and make a evening canalcruise (with ot without wine and cheese) at night. Canals, brdigde etc. are illimunated (SP?) at night, which gives a different impression.

If you like special food, try a Rijsttafel at e.g. Indrapura at Rembrandtsplein (make reservation or go early). Many different dishes, meat, vegetables, et.c. cooked the indonesian way.

 

Thanks for the restaurant suggestions - much appreciated. You've kind of sold me on a night time wine & cheese tour. Those sound quite nice. Thanks again for all the info. I really wish we could've gotten into the Hotel Brouwer but we will search some more.

How about Hotel Atlanta - Rembrandsplein 8-10? Just curious about your opinion of that as it is reasonably priced too.

 

Thank you SO much for the quick response Ine. Can't wait to get to Amsterdam :D

[Ine]

Donot misunderstand me, the area around Barangay is not really unsafe, but personaly I wouldnot like to walk there at night. On the other hand it will be the 2 of you, that makes it better anyway.

 

I donot know the Atlanta hotel myself, but Rembrandtsplein is a location with lots of bars and restaurants, tramstops, shops etc. Busy, during weekends lots of people coming to the bars etc. If you like action, this is the place to be.

I think the canalcruises at night ( incl. wine and cheese) are even nicer than during the day. Only during the day it is better to make photos.

[Ine]

Maybe this link fo the Amsterdam Tourist office is a help too. There are various B & B mentioned.

http://www.vvvamsterdam.nl/

and go to "to stay".

[princessmuffles]

Thank you once again Ine. There are so many choices aren't there! Good tips about Hotel Atlanta - I gathered from reviews that it doesn't get quite till after midnight and sometimes 4 am! There is availability at Maes B&B and also Hotel Nadia so we are going to read some reviews on those ones and possibly decide from there unless we hear back from Barangay or Boogaards.

 

I really appreciate you giving me your opinions. It is so kind of you. Thank you again.

[mando_cpa]

In Amsterdam you will find many Indonesian Restaurants. My favorites are: Sama Sebo (near Rijks and Van Goghmuseum), closed on Sunday, make reservations. Also Indrapoera on Rembrandtsplein, Tempo Doeloe in Utrechtsestraat and Aneka Raisa in Warmoesstraat (near Redlight District, just behind Damsquare).

Your hotel will probably also know other ones.

 

 

Hello - My Husband and I will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary when in Amsterdam in May. Any suggestions on a great special occassion restaurant in the city?

 

Thanks

[Ine]

In Amsterdam you will find many Indonesian Restaurants. My favorites are: Sama Sebo (near Rijks and Van Goghmuseum), closed on Sunday, make reservations. Also Indrapoera on Rembrandtsplein, Tempo Doeloe in Utrechtsestraat and Aneka Raisa in Warmoesstraat (near Redlight District, just behind Damsquare).

Your hotel will probably also know other ones.

 

 

Hello - My Husband and I will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary when in Amsterdam in May. Any suggestions on a great special occassion restaurant in the city?

 

Thanks

 

What type of Restaurant? As mentioned above Rijsttafel in one of those places mentioned above is very special. Location of Indrapura is right on Rembrandtsplein, city center. http://www.indrapura.nl/

 

Or if you like something with a dutch influence:

http://www.dorrius.nl/Engels/index.html

Italian with singing waiters:

http://www.pastaebasta.nl/

Exclusive (and expensive) but special:

http://www.restaurantlegarage.nl/data/EN/over-le-garage.htm

Le Relais ( Freddy Heineken's favorite) inside Hotel de l"Europe:

http://www.leurope.nl/restaurants_lerelais.php

 

To name just a few, again the choice is wide....

[gdlamberth]

Does anyone have any experience with the Arrantea Guest House at

 

Stoombootweg 11

1035 TS, Amsterdam, NL

 

It's just inside the A10 ring foad near the Twiske park area.

 

Greg

[Ine]

Does anyone have any experience with the Arrantea Guest House at

 

Stoombootweg 11

1035 TS, Amsterdam, NL

 

It's just inside the A10 ring foad near the Twiske park area.

 

Greg

 

I cannot help you with this guesthouse.

I hope you are aware you will be "at the other side" of the water IJ.

That means to get into city-center you need to take a bus which goes through one of the tunnels.

It doesnot even show on this map, you will find it about north of A5

on this map.

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

You will depend on publictransport.

[gdlamberth]

A couple of quick questions:

 

Rick Steves' Guidebook for Amsterdam suggests that one hour is sufficient for seeing the Rijksmuseum and also for the Anne Frank House (I don't believe this includes any time standing in line for tickets). The one hour for hte Rijksmuseum is (I assume) predicated on a large part of the building being closed for renovation. My question is: Is one hour really enough? Also, does the Warmoesstraat Restraunt have any sort of web page or e-mail? Do they need reservations? We were thinking maybe Sunday of our trip to have a Rijsttafel and SamuSebo is closed on Sunday. Another suggestion in Rick Steves' Guidebook is that it is permissible and not considered rude for three people to go to a restraunt and order "rijsttafel for two" and the third person order perhaps a bowl of soup or a small item ala carte; and then all share the rijsttafel. I absolutely do not want to be perceived as a rude "ugly American" so is this behavior really acceptable? I don't want to sound "cheap" either but I've heard there is normally a "lot of food" served with the rijsttafel and I'll be with two women with somewhat smaller appetites and one of whom isn't a big fan of spicey food.

 

Thanks,

Greg

[Ine]

One hour for Ann Frank is indeed without waiting in line and that is the time you need at the most. It is just a small house, but videos are played to explain what and where happened etc.

Due to the renovation of Rijksmuseum all important pieces are in one wing, one hour sounds a little short but it can be done. (Maybe 2 at the most).

If you mean this indonesian Restaurant, it seems they hoave no website.

http://www.iens.nl/english/restaurantsIn/Amsterdam/restaurant.htms?a=%2ADam&k=27&r=949

Phone them when you are in Amsterdam or make reservations at Indrapura on Rembrandtsplein. On weekends they can be full, unless you go very early. Rijsttafel is at least for 2 persons, (Many bowls but all very small) or you can order plates like "Bami Rames" - noodles or "Nasi Rames - fried rice. Those are kind of rijsttafel in plate service. The 3rd person can order another dish - and you share whatever is on the table.

On the menu it often shows if a dish is spicey or ask for advice. Try to eat "satay", either from porc or chicken with a delicious peanutsauce.

[Flick]

Ine, I need some of your sound wisdom. We are going to be in Amsterdam this summer for one day aboard a ship. We want to go to the Van Gogh museum in the afternoon (we are going touring in the countryside in the morning). How do we get from the port to the Van Gogh when we return to the ship? Thank you very much.

[Ine]

Ine, I need some of your sound wisdom. We are going to be in Amsterdam this summer for one day aboard a ship. We want to go to the Van Gogh museum in the afternoon (we are going touring in the countryside in the morning). How do we get from the port to the Van Gogh when we return to the ship? Thank you very much.

 

This map gives your answer...

http://www.gvb.nl/reizigers/plattegronden/Pages/lijnennetkaart.aspx

 

which is: From the cruiseterminal take tramnr. 25 to Centraal Station, change there to tramnr. 5 (Amstelveen) or 24 (VU medisch centrum). Both have a stop at Museumplein.

Back 5 or 24 again to Centraal Station, (watch for the right direction!) change for 25- PTA.. This time 25 stops is at the most left-south side of CS - if your stand backwards to the station. (or walk for about 15 minutes).

Either buy single rides with the driver -or "Conducteur- the guy in the middle of the tram) or try to buy a strippenkaart of e.g. 15 or 40 zones, which is a little cheaper. You need 3 zones each per ride.

[Flick]

INE;

What about a taxi? Our time is real limited. Thanx again for your help.

[Ine]

INE;

What about a taxi? Our time is real limited. Thanx again for your help.

 

Taxis will be waiting at the cruise-terminal. Since a few days we have a new taxi-law. Prices are now more fixed, but I have no experience with it yet. I read for shorter rides (within the city) it will be more expensive, but cheaper on longer rides.

My best guess is it will costs between E. 10,-/E.15.- per ride.

Taxis are not stopped on streets, but have fixed waitingplaces. I am sure on or near Museumplein you will find taxis too.

[Ine]

Seems my answer didnot get through on the page before this, so one more try to make it more visible.

[uktraveller]

I've just been watching a short programmme on TV about Keukenhof gardens - it looks spectacular - and I'm seriously hoping that the spring weather will be nice enough for us to see a good show of flowering bulbs when we visit in mid April.

Ine, I hope you will keep us updated on the weather! We are currently having some lovely warm spring sunshine in the UK - I even have a tulip flowering in my garden now!!

[Ine]

I've just been watching a short programmme on TV about Keukenhof gardens - it looks spectacular - and I'm seriously hoping that the spring weather will be nice enough for us to see a good show of flowering bulbs when we visit in mid April.

Ine, I hope you will keep us updated on the weather! We are currently having some lovely warm spring sunshine in the UK - I even have a tulip flowering in my garden now!!

 

We are also having some wonderful springs days, lots of sunshine and a great temperature. It is just for a few days since it will get cooler again.

In general you will be fine mid April for a visit to Keukenhof.

[Punxy Phil]

What is the best way to go from the cruise terminal to the flower market and also stop at Hard Rock Cafe?

 

Don

[Ine]

What is the best way to go from the cruise terminal to the flower market and also stop at Hard Rock Cafe?

 

Don

 

You can walk for about 30 minutes or take tramnr. 25 which starts at the cruiseterminal and get off at Muntplein (Mintsquare).

Walk all the way west over Flowermarket and you get to Koningsplein. From there either walk south over Leidsestraat to Leidseplein or take one of the trams from Koningsplein. (Check for the right direction!).

On Leidseplein walk east to Max Eeuwe

plein.

Back from Leidseplein you can take a tram again to Centraal Station, change there to 25 to PTA or walk again.

http://www.amsterdamtourist.nl/

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

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

[Punxy Phil]

Thanks, Ine. Your third link to maps, the one with museums and attractions, is pretty neat. Looking forward to visiting Amsterdam.

[Ine]

Have a nice time. You will see city-center is rather compact.

[PINEY10]

Does anyone have any recommendations on a tour to the Hague (MauritsHaus) and Delft? The rest of my group will be doing the Amsterdam tour with Senior Holland, but I've been there before and seen it all and frankly prefer the Maurits Haus to the Amsterdam museums as well as a little walk through the charming town of Delft. Does anyone know of a relatively cheap guide--I have tried on our roll call but it is very quiet and not too many people. Any recommendations are gratefully appreciated.

[Ine]

Does anyone have any recommendations on a tour to the Hague (MauritsHaus) and Delft? The rest of my group will be doing the Amsterdam tour with Senior Holland, but I've been there before and seen it all and frankly prefer the Maurits Haus to the Amsterdam museums as well as a little walk through the charming town of Delft. Does anyone know of a relatively cheap guide--I have tried on our roll call but it is very quiet and not too many people. Any recommendations are gratefully appreciated.

 

Delft aswell as The Hague can be done by one of the frequent trains.(about 4 trains each hour)

If you buy a ticket to Delft, you can make a stop enroute in The Hague.

Or maybe you find a tour with one of these touroperators:

http://www.keytours.nl/

http://www.thebestofholland.nl/

[jspirit]

I was planning on going to Gassan after visiting the AF House, but if we are short on time, is there another diamond factory closer? I thought I read somewhere on these boards that there is one right across the street from the House. Anybody know?

Thanks!