monique
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 74
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Post by monique on Mar 11, 2003 8:55:19 GMT -5
Leaving on Saturday and starting to get excited!!! Please send me any suggestions that you have, especially on the following:
Bike Tours (Amsterdam and Bruges)
I'm afraid it's too early in the season for bike tours in Amsterdam; was thinking about trying Mike's Bike Tours (read mixed reviews, though), but not sure they're open. Also thinking about the Quasimundo bike tours in Bruges. Would like the take the Quasimodo day trip to Flanders Field, but it's $$, plus we are only in Bruges 1.5 days (2 nights). Or should we just rent bikes and make our own plan? We don't have bikes at home, so I'm a little worried about the traffic and everything!
Canal/Seine Tours
Are the canal tours pretty much all the same, or are some better than others?
Museum Pass
Does anyone know about Amsterdam's museum pass and what it includes? Is it a good value?
Food
Any suggestions for places to eat that offer the best 'bang for your buck?' Want to try local specialties, casual not fancy!
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Post by Kim on Mar 11, 2003 9:39:24 GMT -5
The Quasimodo trip to Flanders is AWESOME-you have to do it. This coming from someone that's not big on tours. It's so worth the money. Take the phone number off the net and call them when you get there-make sure you get Lode (the owner) as a guide. He is amazing.
Brugges is small, so you could do it in half a day and do the tour the next.
Kim
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monique
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 74
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Post by monique on Mar 11, 2003 10:43:04 GMT -5
It's really that great??? It costs twice as much as our accomodation! We're not strapped for money, I'm just trying to spend as little as possible! It does sound very interesting, and would be especially good if it's a rainy day! I don't know much about WWI, so this would be a good way to learn more.
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Post by BigRay on Mar 11, 2003 13:57:52 GMT -5
In Amsterdam I once took a night canal cruise that was incredible. I thought it was much better than during the day, as everything was lit up and very romantic. The one I was on also had wine and cheese. Reservations could be made at one of the boat docks near Central Station.
In Paris, there are very cheap walking tours that I found great. Unfortunately, I don't have the name or the website for them, but one of them left from Abbesses metro stop at about 9 or 10 in the morning and was a two hour walk through Montmartre that ended up at the Sacre Couer. Very informative, and a great walk.
As for food, I loved the "hot dog au fromage" (hot dog with cheese) in Paris. Also, all the sidewalk crepe vendors were great.
Enjoy!
Ray
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Post by Kim on Mar 11, 2003 14:30:54 GMT -5
It is SO SO SO good! Honestly, I wasn't even into doing it as I'm not a huge history fan but my boyfriend really wanted to.
It was so cool-you get to walk through old trenches, go into nursing stations, that sort of thing. Things you would never find on your own. It's a small tour-one of those small buses but you are always getting out at places.
There is a student/under 26 rate, do you qualify for that?
Kim
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monique
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 74
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Post by monique on Mar 11, 2003 14:56:35 GMT -5
Thanks for all the info. Yes, I am still under 26 and a student, and my husband is 27 and a student, so he can probably get away with the student rate, too.
I read about a nighttime cruise in Amsterdam in Let's Go; I'll check that out and see if it's the same.
Thanks for the suggestion for the Montmartre walk! I've already been to Paris twice, and this time I'd like to spend more time exploring some of the neighborhoods. I'll look at my guidebook to see if it's in there. Thinking about those crepes every minute!!!!
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monique
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 74
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Post by monique on Mar 12, 2003 11:07:13 GMT -5
Here's my research on Amsterdam Museum Pass info:
Museumjaarkaart (Year long Museum membership)
€35 (under 25 €15), requires a passport-sized photo:
Allard Pierson Museum
Amsterdams Historisch Museum
Beurs van Berlage Museum
Bijbels Museum
De Burcht/Vakbondsmuseum
De Nieuwe Kerk
Fotografie Museum Amsterdam FOAM
Joods Historisch Museum
Max Euwe Centrum
Museum Amstelkring
Museum Het Rembrandthuis
Museum Het Schip
Museum Van Loon
Museum Willet-Holthuijsen
Nederlands Scheepvaartmuseum
Oude Kerk
Persmuseum
Rijksmuseum
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
Theater Instituut Nederland
Tropenmuseum
Van Gogh Museum
Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam
Amsterdam Pass 1/2/3day €26/€36/€46
Free public transportation, free canal tour, other discounts, and free admission to:
Van Gogh Museum or the Rijksmuseum (NOTE: Starting 1 April 2003 the Amsterdam Pass includes both museums!)
Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art
The Rembrandt House Museum
Maritime Museum (Scheepvaartmuseum)
Amsterdams Historisch Museum
Tropenmuseum / Tropical Museum
Allard Pierson Museum
Museum Amstelkring
Huis Marseille Photography Museum
Jewish Historical Museum
Museum Willet Holthuysen
Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum)
Bijbels Museum (Biblical Museum)
De Oude Kerk (the Old Church)
Museum van Loon
Botanical Garden (Hortus Botanicus)
Stichting de Appel Centre of contemporary art
Beurs van Berlage Former Commodity Exchange hall
Cobra Museum
Theatermuseum Exhibitions
Frans Hals Museum
Woonbootmuseum / Houseboat Museum
Holland Casino
Molen van Sloten (Sloten Windmill)
Amsterdam Diamond Group
None of these passes include the Anne Frank House and some other popular sites. The cost of admission for popular museums/sites included in these passes (cheaper prices are for students):
Van Gogh Museum €9
Rijksmuseum €9
The Rembrandt House Museum €7
Museum Amstelkring €6/4.50
Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum) €4.50
De Oude Kerk (the Old Church) €4/3.20
which totals to €39.50.
Conclusions: Museumjaarkaart is a great deal if you plan on seeing many of the museums, or especially if you are under 25. The Amsterdam Pass becomes a better value starting April 1st when it includes admission to both the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum.
Bottom line for my trip: it doesn't really matter! Maybe pay to see the Van Gogh or Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank House and any other sites not included on my first day in town, and then a 1-day Amsterdam Pass to see the included museums on my second day. Or maybe get the Museumjaarkaart and see museums on any day that I chose, if I can find a photo!
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monique
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 74
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Post by monique on Mar 12, 2003 13:32:08 GMT -5
BigRay: Is this the one you took? Worth the money? www.lovers.nlCANDLELIGHT CRUISE €24 A romantic evening cruise around atmospherically lit Amsterdam lasting two hours. The illuminated canal houses and bridges plus the cosy interiors of the house boats form an enchanting spectacle which will leave you breathless. And the plentiful supplies of red and white wine and wide assortment of Dutch cheeses on board will no doubt help you relax and enjoy the evening! |
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Post by Kim on Mar 12, 2003 14:26:59 GMT -5
I don't recommend taking the daytime Canal Cruise..boooring. The one I'm taking about is in these little boats that seat about 30 people-not cruise style.
The commentary was actually taped, not even done by the person driving the boat!
My boyfriend actually fell asleep but that could have been due to the beer at the Heineken factory an hour earlier! ;D
The Heineken tour is pretty fun actually-show up early and get tickets then come back later for your tour. After the tour, they take you into their own pub in the building where you have free beer and cheese! Tour was only a few dollars (inc. beer etc.) if I remember right.
Kim
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Post by nitsansh on Mar 12, 2003 15:22:04 GMT -5
It should be noted that the Museum card is valid one year for all national museums in Netherlands, not only in Amsterdam. If you are under 26, the 15 Euro card pays back its price after 2 major museums like Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum.
For "oldies", I can't see how you can jutify the 35 Euro price, unless you are serious museum fanatic...
Anna Frank house is owned by Anna Frank Foundation which is a private entity, and therefor it doesn't accept the museum card.
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monique
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 74
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Post by monique on Mar 12, 2003 15:26:56 GMT -5
BigRay: Is this the Paris walking tour?
Welcome to Paris Walks €10
Every Wednesday and Sunday
The Village of Montmartre 10.30 am meet at metro Abbesses. A picturesque route to see the vineyard, old streets, artists' studios, gardens, cabarets, the place-du-Tertre and the Sacré Coeur.
Sounds great!
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Post by BigRay on Mar 12, 2003 19:59:04 GMT -5
Hi Monique,
You got it on both counts. Those were the things I did, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. As for the walking tours, the same company runs several all over Paris that are worthwhile.
Enjoy your trip!
Ray
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Post by Mike M on Mar 25, 2003 16:28:16 GMT -5
Was in Paris about three weeks ago.
If you're going to be there for a while, and are into the museum scene, the paris museum pass is worth it. I bought a three day pass and i had to go to about four to get my money's worth, but Paris has some of hte best in the world, so it's easy to do. It'll get you into the Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Pantheon, Arc de Triomph, Rodin, Versailles i think, hotel invalides (french military museum and napolean's tomb), but not (repeat NOT) the Eiffel Tower.
Also, depending on how moral of a person you are you may want to consider taking along an erasable pen. The museum pass has boxes on the back where you write in the dates it is good for. If you were to use an erasable pen, you could maybe get away with buying a one day pass and then changing the date every day. I'm not advocating cheating the french museums, but for a student on a budget it might be a good way to save some cash. Up to you though.
DO NOT go to paris and not check out some of the museums, you'll regret it. Even if you're not into art, it's still cool to see the Mona Lisa and all the famous impressionist in hte D'Orsay.
Hope this helps. happy travels.
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