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Post by jennifer on Jul 27, 2003 12:47:24 GMT -5
Hi!
During my trip to Germany, I'll be visiting a family I've stayed with before. One of the girls my age and I will be going to Amsterdam. I've seen websites and things about Amsterdam, I know about where I want to go, but besides Anne Frank Huis, Rijksmuseum (don't know how to spell it) Van Gogh museum and all, what shouldn't I omit to visit?
xoxo
jen
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Post by BigRay on Jul 27, 2003 15:29:01 GMT -5
Amsterdam has a ton to see and do. I enjoy long walks in the Jordaan district. Absolutely stunning! Especially at night when the canals are lit up. Most people don't realize that Amsterdam has more canals than Venice. IMHO, it's much prettier, too.
If you enjoy parks, Amsterdam has some great ones in Vondel Park and Rebrandt Park. Both are quite big and perfect for strolling and relaxing. Both have good, lively scenes, too.
If you enjoy beer, you can do a tour of the Heineken Brewery. And since no trip to Amsterdam is complete without experiencing the nightlife, be sure to check out the lively areas of Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein.
Amsterdam is not too large with a good public trams, buses, and boats. You should find getting around relatively easy. And regardless of what you end up seeing or doing, it's very difficult to not have a great time in Amsterdam.
Enjoy!
Ray
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Post by me on Jul 27, 2003 15:39:02 GMT -5
Amsterdam is one of my favorites, too. it's sooo laid back!
- d
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Post by jennifer on Jul 28, 2003 16:29:29 GMT -5
Thanks,
I'm concluding by your message everything is unforgettable, nothing particularly stunning considering everything is!
Is a promenade in the Red light a must? Is is safe for 2 girls?
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Post by Kim on Jul 28, 2003 16:52:59 GMT -5
The Red Light District is only a place that you should go in the day, it's definately NOT safe in the evening - esp. for two girls.
It's made up of alot of alleys and small streets which are very dark and not patrolled by the police at night.
In the day, it should be fine but be aware of your surroundings. It's definately something you won't see many other places and it's interesting to see.
Kim
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Post by jennifer on Jul 28, 2003 17:01:01 GMT -5
Ok, it's quite safe in the day, but is it worth seing?
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Post by Kim on Jul 28, 2003 17:54:52 GMT -5
Depends on what you are into. Worth seeing.. well, it's basically girls in lingerie standing in windows - in a way, it's worth seeing as you probably won't see that in too many places but not something I would have cared about missing.
Kim
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Post by BigRay on Jul 28, 2003 17:55:01 GMT -5
I would have to disagree with Kim on this one. The Red Light District is definitely a must-see. The district in and of itself is a tourist attraction, and there will be many tourists there day or night.
It is also a normal area of town for many locals. You will see businessmen walking in the street to and from work, the usual barrage of cyclists, even clergy, as one of the oldest churches in Amsterdam (Oudekirke) is situated right in the middle of the red light district.
As Kim said, there are a lot of small alleys, but crime is not a big problem there. Yes, even for two girls! There are quite a lot of bars, coffeeshops, and "respectable" places there. The nature of the place is somewhat seedy, but for locals it is no big deal.
The only problem I have had there are drug dealers at night who try to sell their wares. Just ignore them and you should be as safe as in any other city. Also, the last time I was there, there were pairs of policemen patrolling at all hours. In fact, there is an all-night police station in the district on Warmoestraat. It used to be right next to Coffeeshop Hill Street Blues, which I thought was pretty funny, but moved down the street a couple years ago.
Just my humble opinion,
Ray
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Post by Kim on Jul 28, 2003 17:59:36 GMT -5
Well, from a womens perspective, I definately wouldn't have felt safe there alone at night.. there is no way. It's up to you what you do, but I personally do not recommend going there at night.
Maybe Ray and I are talking about different areas of the RL district cause we were right in the midst of it, in the small alleys.. there were no cyclists or business men where we were - it was really seedy and dark, even in the day.
Our guidebook had said it was not patrolled at night and we didn't see any policemen, but like I said, Ray and I could be talking about different areas of the RL district.
Kim
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Post by jennifer on Jul 28, 2003 18:07:04 GMT -5
Thanks guys!
I think I'll stick with the day tour, maybe until it starts getting dark to see it all lit up, but not nights...I don't know, I am quite a scardycat, so...
Thanks for the info though!
xoox
jen
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Post by LHR02 on Jul 28, 2003 18:20:05 GMT -5
Jen, This is one of those 'trust your woman's instinct' areas. Yep, in all likelyhood it is safe, even at night. There are a lot of tourists and even locals wandering about. As a woman alone, or two women 'touring'......girl my internal alerts were beeping at full speed/volume just at dusk.  Will you likely be perfectly 'safe' in this area after dark? Probably so, but why take the chance? For men/boys/larger groups......stay on the main routes and I'll assume all will be well....for you and your friend......go during the daytime and visit other areas of town during the night hours. It is one of those things that while probably safe enough is surely not worth the risk. MHO as always, g |
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Post by jennifer on Jul 28, 2003 18:23:43 GMT -5
With you on this one Dustoff!
After all the advice, that's what I am going to do!
xoxo
Jen
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Post by WillTravel on Jul 28, 2003 21:14:20 GMT -5
I already posted about my experience in the red light district in Copenhagen, which is supposed to be perfectly safe according to the guidebooks and is probably a lot tamer than in Amsterdam. I agree with your decision in this case, Jennifer, regardless of what the guidebooks might say about it.
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Post by jennifer on Aug 19, 2003 18:40:17 GMT -5
THanks!
xoxo
Jen
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Post by NFLqueen on Aug 21, 2003 14:42:25 GMT -5
I was travelling alone and Amsterdam was actually my first stop. I stayed right in the heart of the Red light district and although I wandered several days/afternoons on my own, I personally wouldn't have walked anywhere in the evening by myself.
Although I was out 4 nights in a row, and yes partially in the red light district but I was with guy that worked at my hostel and was a local so I felt quite safe.
Definitely just ignore the people trying to sell you drugs on the street. But I really do think it's something you need to see to believe at night - I'll never forget it thats for sure.
There were loads of tourists everywhere - people of all ages etc. Try to go with a group of people if it makes you more comfortable - I do believe there are actually evening walking tours of the area - LEAVE your camera BEHIND! Now that could get you into trouble.
Have fun!
k
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Will you likely be perfectly 'safe' in this area after dark? Probably so, but why take the chance? For men/boys/larger groups......stay on the main routes and I'll assume all will be well....for you and your friend......go during the daytime and visit other areas of town during the night hours. It is one of those things that while probably safe enough is surely not worth the risk. MHO as always, 
