Amsterdam....

[hoolahoop]

Taking arr lass for a couple of nights in June but shes not big on " dusty " museums or much . art for that matter although I am.  Any suggestions please as I haven't been there for nearly 50 years !
When my dad was serving in BAOR, we were always there but I'm ashamed to admit I can't remember that much about it ,
Anyway staying in Dam Square and have 2 full days and nights to sightsee and eat out.

Admin : is it possible to have a dedicated " Travel section " please  ?

[Filo]

Went on a stag do there 18 months ago, the place stunk of weed, made me feel sick, mind we did spend the day around the red light areas and erotic establishments 😀

[Filo]

If you go on the minicruise from Hull the coach drops you outside the station

[bahrain rover]

The overnight sailing from Hull used to be a great night out on a Friday sailing. I used to be on it regular for work at the Amsterdam RAI exhibition center.

[Copps is Magic]

Fantastic city. Spent a few nights there before going to Paris for new Years eve with the other half. We both loved Amsterdam more than Paris. Amsterdam is two different cities; one in the day, one at the night, you would hardly know where the red light district is during the day but when you realise it's slap bang in the middle of the city you think the town planners in the UK would never allow this to happen. We stayed in a little town just outside Amsterdam called Weesp. Would recommend that n all, very picturesqueness and the infrastructure across all of Holland just seems ridiculously good.

I'd do all the stereotypical things to be honest, get on a boat, hire a bike, tour the red light district. We didn't get offered any weed - frankly there were spar-like shops selling space cakes so it wasn't necessary - but we did learn the sex shops there sell dildos in fantastically specifically sized increments going up by the half inch. Nothing but respect for the women who can pinpoint their exact requirements like that. The other half is an architect so we spent a lot of time touring sites of architectural significance - there's a free little architecture museum near the science museum which is pretty good and tell's you the built history of the city.

[RedJ]

There's a really nice gelato shop near the train station.

It's pretty, but it wasn't particularly interesting to me. Mind, I did almost get took out by a river cruise when I couldn't pedal fast enough across a 'junction' on the canals in a pedalo.

I did say to myself at the time though that it's probably more suited to people who aren't travelling alone, so y'know.

[bahrain rover]

Also down from the station you can get big cones of fries covered in lovely thick heart stopping Mayonnaise. As for architecture the multistory bicycle park next to the train station was quite spectacular.

[bahrain rover]

Kings Day (formally Queens) at the end of April in Amsterdam is possibly the most carnage I have ever witnessed. Dutch Uncle I think you could verify this! The population of Amsterdam near doubles and parties hard very hard. We had work mates trying to get to the airport that afternoon but the main train station was closed due to the large amount of very drunken people on the platforms and tracks! the canals are rammed with over flowing boats full of drunken people blasting out music also going for it. All in all it was brilliant.

[wing commander]

   Love Amsters...I can remember when I was in the Navy we were stopping there..We had just had a new youngster join us fresh out of training who wasn't, lets say experienced in the art of a woman...So we found him one,clubbed together and paid for him and told him we would wait in the bar across the road for him....He was beck before we got served ;-)

[Dutch Uncle]

Kings Day (formally Queens) at the end of April in Amsterdam is possibly the most carnage I have ever witnessed. Dutch Uncle I think you could verify this! The population of Amsterdam near doubles and parties hard very hard. We had work mates trying to get to the airport that afternoon but the main train station was closed due to the large amount of very drunken people on the platforms and tracks! the canals are rammed with over flowing boats full of drunken people blasting out music also going for it. All in all it was brilliant.

That time of year is full of national bank holidays. 30 April is the King's Official Birthday, 1 May is often a Bank holiday as is 5 May (Liberation day, first day Allied Forces liberated a part of the country in 1944). Also 4 May, although not  bank holiday,  is a Remembrance day (Dodenherdenking), and a wreath is laid in Dam Square at 20:00 with a national minutes' silence. You should certainly observe that if you are in a public place at the time. I don't know how fixed your timescale is Hoola, but I would avoid a bank holiday if possible, they can get very busy.

With regards to Museums the van Gogh Museum (next to the Rijksmuseum), unlike its old and huge neighbour, is far from dusty and not overwhelmingly large, and also used to have good lunches. I would recommend it.

The canal boat trip is always an excellent start, and if you do want to visit the Anne Frank House then do book  in advance - it gets impossibly busy if you just walk up.

[hoolahoop]

There's weed everywhere and in a lot of the little side streets off the main canal in the red light bit, you'll get offered anything and everything.

The prozzies are that brazen you'll probably get offered sex whilst you're with your wife and if she takes offence, she'll be offered the chance to watch. And I'm not joking on that!

If you're wanting anything football-related, the AA is close to a metro station but it's a good distance from the city centre.

When I went, I had 1.5 full days so I just had a bit of a wander, no map or anything, and headed towards the railway station/river and saw quite a bit that way. It wasn't planned but a lot of the sights are close enough together.

Yeah remember gawping at the women in the Red Light District when I was a young'uns and seeing pornography, way beyond our top shelves, on open sale. Remember smelling weed everywhere too.
I was looking to avoid all 3 of those things ( at least when we are out together ! ) lol
Thinking more like Anne Frank museum maybe a quick scan of Rembrandt's finest masterpieces and my own particular favourite Vermeer. Dutch art takes some beating .

[hoolahoop]

The overnight sailing from Hull used to be a great night out on a Friday sailing. I used to be on it regular for work at the Amsterdam RAI exhibition center.

Do you know I forgot in my earlier post that I did go from Hull on the ferry must have been 17/18 - I was so seasick. Also went to Gothenburg on another occasion . The Hull ferry , if I remember correctly, set off in the early evening and I remember gambling in Kröner for some reason , slept in a cabin and arrived early the following day - I won a lot and drank far too much ....hence being badly sea- sick . Poor sea- legs, a rough sea and too much ale made for a lethal combination.

[RedJ]

If you want to go to the Anne Frank place make sure you get one of the skip the queue tickets (if they still exist) because people were queuing for hours to get in when I was there.

[Dutch Uncle]

Thinking more like Anne Frank museum maybe a quick scan of Rembrandt's finest masterpieces and my own particular favourite Vermeer. Dutch art takes some beating .

The Rijksmuseum is huge. I would recommend trying to research beforehand what you want to see in it. The van Gogh museum is more manageable, and since it is more or less next door could be combined. If you go to Anne Frank then do book a slot beforehand.

Edit: Temporarily at least that is the only option:

http://www.annefrank.org/en/Museum/Practical-information/Online-ticket-sales/

[wilts rover]

There is a museum dedicated to Rembrant in his former house and workshop, funnily enough called the Rembranthuis. This is out towards the Zoo (Artis) and my favourite museum, the Tropenmuseum, arts and carafts from around the world. They had a Gamalan Orchestra and a mock up African village arranged in the galleries the last time I was there.

The Bloemenmarkt floating flower market is quite scenic and the bars around Leidesplein used to have a good music scene on a Saturday night.

I hope you and Mrs Hoola enjoy yourself, its a great city to spend some time in.

[drfchound]

There is a really good Cantonese/ Chinese floating restaurant, I think it is called the Sea Princess, good value and great food.
Also as football fans, I would recommend the Ajax stadium tour.
Some great bars with live music if you are into that type of thing.
The red light zone is probably the City’s biggest tourist attraction and is well worth a walk around.
As CiM said, during daylight hours it is hardly noticeable but all that changes after dark.
A cracking City to visit.

[hoolahoop]

Thinking more like Anne Frank museum maybe a quick scan of Rembrandt's finest masterpieces and my own particular favourite Vermeer. Dutch art takes some beating .

The Rijksmuseum is huge. I would recommend trying to research beforehand what you want to see in it. The van Gogh museum is more manageable, and since it is more or less next door could be combined. If you go to Anne Frank then do book a slot beforehand.

Edit: Temporarily at least that is the only option:

http://www.annefrank.org/en/Museum/Practical-information/Online-ticket-sales/

Thank you DU and everyone else some great advice there especially for avoiding the queues and the best things to see. Wished I had more time there that's all

[Ldr]

The Heineken Brewery tour is well worth it. Make sure you have Bitterballen at a bar too

[hoolahoop]

There is a museum dedicated to Rembrant in his former house and workshop, funnily enough called the Rembranthuis. This is out towards the Zoo (Artis) and my favourite museum, the Tropenmuseum, arts and carafts from around the world. They had a Gamalan Orchestra and a mock up African village arranged in the galleries the last time I was there.

The Bloemenmarkt floating flower market is quite scenic and the bars around Leidesplein used to have a good music scene on a Saturday night.

I hope you and Mrs Hoola enjoy yourself, its a great city to spend some time in.

Thanks wilts bear all that in mind especially the Rembrandthuis and the Flowermarket ( is that there every day ? )

[hoolahoop]

Thinking more like Anne Frank museum maybe a quick scan of Rembrandt's finest masterpieces and my own particular favourite Vermeer. Dutch art takes some beating .

The Rijksmuseum is huge. I would recommend trying to research beforehand what you want to see in it. The van Gogh museum is more manageable, and since it is more or less next door could be combined. If you go to Anne Frank then do book a slot beforehand.

Edit: Temporarily at least that is the only option:

http://www.annefrank.org/en/Museum/Practical-information/Online-ticket-sales/

Thanks for the link DU , hope you are ok and settled alright in Ireland was it ?

[wilts rover]

There is a museum dedicated to Rembrant in his former house and workshop, funnily enough called the Rembranthuis. This is out towards the Zoo (Artis) and my favourite museum, the Tropenmuseum, arts and carafts from around the world. They had a Gamalan Orchestra and a mock up African village arranged in the galleries the last time I was there.

The Bloemenmarkt floating flower market is quite scenic and the bars around Leidesplein used to have a good music scene on a Saturday night.

I hope you and Mrs Hoola enjoy yourself, its a great city to spend some time in.

Thanks wilts bear all that in mind especially the Rembrandthuis and the Flowermarket ( is that there every day ? )

Yes it is Hoola. Its easy to find and on the route from Dam Square to Anne Franks House.
https://www.amsterdam.info/shopping/flowermarket/

[Dutch Uncle]

Thinking more like Anne Frank museum maybe a quick scan of Rembrandt's finest masterpieces and my own particular favourite Vermeer. Dutch art takes some beating .

The Rijksmuseum is huge. I would recommend trying to research beforehand what you want to see in it. The van Gogh museum is more manageable, and since it is more or less next door could be combined. If you go to Anne Frank then do book a slot beforehand.

Edit: Temporarily at least that is the only option:

http://www.annefrank.org/en/Museum/Practical-information/Online-ticket-sales/

Thanks for the link DU , hope you are ok and settled alright in Ireland was it ?

Thanks Hoola, can't believe it's nearly 5 years since we moved over here to Bangor, Northern Ireland. We love it here, and the hills are still a novelty  . Mind you I feel we are in the front line of Brexit, and have more to lose than most. The politicians over here are more than capable of making a mess of things all on their own without others forcing difficult situations on us. 

Hope you enjoy your trip Hoola - I have many great memories of Amsterdam. I mentioned it before, but do take a canal boat excursion - it really gives a good introduction to the city.

[ravenrover]

Just watch out for the cyclists they don't take prisoners and they come from all directions. Food and drink is not cheap.

[Filo]

When we were there we saw this guy doing his stunts

https://youtu.be/24x9LfDRRHw

[hoolahoop]

Lol.

[RedJ]

Cyclists are Amsterdam's answer to Roman scooter riders.

[bahrain rover]

Hoola,

If you walk straight forward from the central station you will come to Dam square its like a hub for the main places to visit. Anne Frank turn right/ Red light turn left/ Flower market straight ahead down Rokken and its on your right side opposite a big hotel with a massive Heineken sigh on top. I worked on the refurb of this hotel. There is a cracking Irish bar called Tara half way down Rokken on the left side from Dam to the flower market. Its just a door way entrance but inside is like a cavern its huge.

[hoolahoop]

Hoola,

If you walk straight forward from the central station you will come to Dam square its like a hub for the main places to visit. Anne Frank turn right/ Red light turn left/ Flower market straight ahead down Rokken and its on your right side opposite a big hotel with a massive Heineken sigh on top. I worked on the refurb of this hotel. There is a cracking Irish bar called Tara half way down Rokken on the left side from Dam to the flower market. Its just a door way entrance but inside is like a cavern its huge.

Oh thanks for that Bahrain,  I will definitely making a bea- line for it and the directions are great

[RedJ]

And if you get lost at any point just try and find the central canal and you'll be fine.

[hoolahoop]

And if you get lost at any point just try and find the central canal and you'll be fine.

What fall in it  ?  Lol I will take that advice RJ is it similar to Venice's Grand Canal ?