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Post by mooseontheloose on Jan 18, 2004 12:36:14 GMT -5
From friends and brother I hear Amsterdam is a great place to visit, but is it worth the price? It seems very expensive and so far I haven't found alot to make the trip worth it. Can anyone give me some info on what's good in Amsterdam?
Thanks
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Post by jennifer on Jan 20, 2004 15:29:59 GMT -5
There are so many great things in Amsterdam, from the museums to the people, to the architecture, to the hostels, to the party life. The food is international, the people too! It really depends what you are into, but to me it's worth every single penny! If you tell me what you like to see, i'll tell you what I know you could do !
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Post by cnlneenan on Jan 20, 2004 15:37:25 GMT -5
The desire to smoke trees legally is usually one of the most powerful forces driving people to Amsterdam. Of course, the canals and museums and all that give it other reasons too. If you don't smoke and you can't stand it, it probably wouldn't be worth it to you. If you're indifferent to it, you'll probably have a blast here.
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Post by jennifer on Jan 20, 2004 17:49:43 GMT -5
I don't smoke, I don't care, but it doesn't bother me at all, and I still had a blast, but I must say you're right, if you are totally against it! it's not the place!
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Post by Kim on Jan 20, 2004 22:10:35 GMT -5
See, I'm not into the whole smoking thing and I really enjoyed Amsterdam. It's what you make it and what you seek out. The thing is is that you can't do everything, can't see everything. If you think it is going to be too expensive, save it for another trip. If there are places that you would rather see, then go with that. You are going to hear from a million people "Oh this place is great" or " don't go there", you really have to just go with what feels right. I didn't like some places that some people rave about and vice versa. If Amsterdam seems expensive and doesn't intrique you, scratch it off the list. There are too many other places that will. Kim
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Post by me on Jan 20, 2004 22:15:11 GMT -5
weed is just one of the vices that amsterdam is known for. but, there is so much more to this gem of a city!
if art is any interest at all, st petersburg, russia, is the only place that can compare.
- d
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Post by Cat on Jan 21, 2004 3:09:20 GMT -5
Oh, really, people! Sorry, but sometimes I get really tired of all the folks who think Amsterdam is nothing but smoking weed and other drugs! As most people on this board pointed out (thanks ) there are tons of things to do and see in Amsterdam. And if you are totally against smoking, you really don't have a problem nowadays. You might pick up a whiff of smoke sometimes in the open air, but in the Netherlands, starting Jan. 1st this year, smoking is prohibited in restaurants, train stations and other public areas. And naturally this also goes for smoking weed. So, no problem there. Just stay out of coffee shops and you'll be fine. (dutch) Cat
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Post by jennifer on Jan 21, 2004 10:57:23 GMT -5
Totally Right Cat! Amsterdam is a gem, smoking or not! It's just filled with beautiful things, history and wonders! I loved it! I think I didn't really notice the smoking part until I actually walked into a coffee shop intentionally with a hostel group! So people, don't scratch amsterdam off your list for the smoking part, it's way more than that!
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snorkelman
Senior Travel Member
Travel Guru
Posts: 220
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Post by snorkelman on Jan 28, 2004 16:54:20 GMT -5
Hmmm, I never thought of A'dam as expensive, but I guess if you don't visit any other city in Western Europe and if you spend all of the time in the east, then yeah, it could be considered expensive. In general, the hostel prices are comparable to those anywhere in western Europe.
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Cynthia
Full Travel Member
Posts: 37
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Post by Cynthia on Jan 29, 2004 1:49:27 GMT -5
Amsterdam is a vibrant city that has an active nightlife yet enough peaceful areas by day to allow for balance. As someone said, this city is loaded with museums & galleries (www.amsterdam.nl). Spend time in Vondel Park (in summer there are free concerts: http://www.vondelpark.nl), walk the canals (Jordaan is a nice area), go see a film at Pathé Tuschinski, www.pathe.nl/tuschinski/, a beautiful art deco theatre (Reguliersbreestraat 26-34- just of Rembrandtsplein). As to cost, I find Amsterdam reasonable in comparision to much of Western Europe.
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UneeklyCommon
Full Travel Member
Life is Good!......especially,when you're traveling!
Posts: 23
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Post by UneeklyCommon on Jun 9, 2004 15:28:00 GMT -5
Hey Everyone, I like what everyone was saying! I understand about the ability to smoke bud is not the highlight of the city! I want to know what the "highlights" are!?? Where can I find architecture, art, and the culture in the city! Also, where I need to go to have the best time, as far as partying and such! Thanks. Erich ;D
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Post by LHR02 on Jun 9, 2004 16:25:39 GMT -5
Art? Do not miss the Rijksmuseum and budget to get the audio tour guide...my expense journal has a total 9.50 charge for entrance and guide, count on a bit more now as this was 2 years ago. It is without a doubt the very best guide I came across anywhere, fully 85% of the works have a wonderfully detailed entry. It is worth every dime I swear to see the Rembrandt works and particularly 'The Night Watch'. One of those OH WOW moments I promise!
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Post by jennifer on Jun 9, 2004 16:36:41 GMT -5
Although quite expensive and not holding all the chef-d'oeuvres I would have loved to see, the Van Gogh museum is quite interesting! It was so many pieces from this artist!
The photography museum was quite particular, when I went it had an exposition on Sadomasochism (sorry for spelling!) and it was quite funny!
For culture, it's quite nice to go to Zaanse Schaans. Although it's mostly a touristy place, this little mini village hosts windmills that were taken from around these cities and brought here to create a village. You have windmills for every type of thing : mustard making, chocolate making, clog making, all and all of everything! It's quite nice and free to walk around it! Plus, it's only about 15-20 minutes away from Amsterdam!
Haarlem is quite nice too, the church is beautiful!
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Post by Kim on Jun 9, 2004 17:08:36 GMT -5
I'm not a Van Gogh fan so I have to say I found the Van Gogh museum to be boooooring.. ;D
I enjoyed wandering around the most - well, actually we were there twice and I enjoyed wandering around in September, in March I froze my butt off.
The Heineken beer factory has a good tour that ends in their pub, I liked it and I don't even drink beer.
We also did a canal boat ride which was pretty boring as well, to be honest. Would have loved to go to the Ann Frank house but we ran out of time, poor planning on our part!
Kim
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UneeklyCommon
Full Travel Member
Life is Good!......especially,when you're traveling!
Posts: 23
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Post by UneeklyCommon on Jun 9, 2004 19:34:18 GMT -5
Hey, Is Holland where Anne Frank hid in her nasemant!?? If it is I had no idea. But, thanks everyone for your opinions. I will defenitely see the Rijksmuseum, the photography museum, and the Heiniken factory! What about things in the Hague, and maybe Rotterdam!?? Anything? I know I'm going to see the "Operation Market Garden" site, and I'm really into photography, so anything you could suggest for my hobby would be great! Thanks. Erich
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