Amsterdam

[*Emsie*]

Am thinking if going there next summer for a short break and wondered if anyone had any tips for travel, hotel, stuff to do there etc
Am not sure on costs etc either lol

 

[Happy Holidays]

Never been, but couldn't miss out on a holiday thread!!!!

First thing I do is google 'free things to do in ..............' which gives me ideas on what to do.

Try cheap airlines to get there such as easyjet & ryanair, for hotels I use, trivago, booking.com, hotels.com & agoda.

I also love doing a bus tour when we arrive somewhere new, so I google that & see what's on the 'tour' itinerary which also gives me ideas on what to see/do.

When are you thinking of going?

 

[*Emsie*]

Great tips thanks, thinking of going in July

 

[AnnaFaraday]

There has been quite a bit about Amsterdam in the travel pages of the newspapers recently, because of the reopening of the Rijksmuseum and some new hotels, so it is worth doing a bit of googling to see what comes up.

For instance I just googled Amsterdam Telegraph and got loads of hits for information about hotels, restaurants, and things to do.

Best tip of all - comfortable shoes!!!! You get the best out of Amsterdam by walking around.

The canal boat trips are a must - yes, they are very touristy, but you get to see the city from a totally different angle.

 

[*Emsie*]

I've never planned a holiday abroad before so am a bit nervous and friends are potentially coming too!

Like the idea of the canal trip! and comfortable shoes!

 

[Happy Holidays]

The first trip I planned without a tour operator was China, that was scary, but once you know everything is booked & you've a plan of what you are doing its fine, you just have to trust yourself (I check everything at least twice, lol).

 

[AnnaFaraday]

I've never planned a holiday abroad before so am a bit nervous and friends are potentially coming too!

Like the idea of the canal trip! and comfortable shoes!

Do your research. Loads of information online, or get a guidebook from the library. Decide what you would like to see, what sort of things the others would be interested in. For me, galleries and architecture are a must, but that won't be everyone's taste.

If you look at the list here
Sights in Amsterdam - Lonely Planet
you will realise just how much there is to see! So you have to be selective.

One thing I found fascinating when I took my mother there a good few years ago was to visit a diamond manufacturer. They let my mother try on a diamond star brooch and she loved it - had a hard time getting her to give it back!!

Or you might just want to wander around and not be organised - up to you!

A map is essential. Basically Amsterdam is a series of semicircles of roads and canals - this map will give you an overview

Map of Amsterdam

but you will need a much more detailed one than that to take with you. Easy to get lost, but easy to find yourself again! And I often find that by getting a bit lost I discover something interesting!

 

[NotsofattyPatty]

Would you fancy a cruise there? You could go P & O from Hull or with DFDS from Newcastle - the latter takes you to a port which is about 30 minutes drive from the centre of Amsterdam and coaches are provided at no extra charge.The cabins are fairly basic 2- or 4 berth, which means bunks, but you get your own loo/shower. You can take your own sandwiches or what have you or have dinner and/or breakfast (fairly expensive but good choice and 'all you can eat'!)

You can stay a couple of nights in Amsterdam, making your own booking or the ferry company can do it for you. Their websites give ideas about things to see so even if you don't go with them they may be worth looking at.

 

[NotsofattyPatty]

Oh - I've just realised that you perhaps live a bit too far way for these ports and I should have made it clear that these are basic ferries, not luxury cruise liners!

 

[supergran52]

If you go to Amsterdam you should try to visit Anne Frank's house. Amazing how her family managed to hide there for years from the Germans. If you take a canal tour it is one of the stops where you can get off as the boats are Hop On, Hop Off like the tour buses in other cities.

 

[AnnaFaraday]

Another option for travelling is Eurostar. Check their website for deals. Depending on where you live, it might be quicker than flying, as the main railway station in Amsterdam is very central.

 

[Happy Holidays]

We came back from France on the Eurostar it was amazing, so quick & smooth, a brill journey. Unfortunately OH's concessions are not allowed on the Eurostar

 

[*Emsie*]

Did have a look at the Eurostar.

Am thinking accommodation wise if a few friends are coming an apartment may work well so we will all be sharing and noone will end up sharing with someone they don't want to share with on their own if that makes sense lol

I'd love to see the tulips but its not going to be the time of year. Really want to go to Ann Franks house and a canal trip and then see what else pops up ha ha

 

[Happy Holidays]

Sounds like its coming together nicely x

 

[*Emsie*]

Yeah I think so. The thing will be seeing who ends up wanting to come, won't be booking up till around March but wanted to get an idea of figures/dates so people can decide if they want to save or book hols etc

 

[kingleds]

Hi Emsie. In terms of accommodation try Air bnb https://www.airbnb.co.uk/ - you can find some really nice apartments in Amsterdam at reasonable prices.

 

[*Emsie*]

Hi hun Thanks will check it out!

 

[Happy Holidays]

This may sound anal, but I do an itinerary, just so each day I have an idea what we are doing, instead of getting up in the morning & wasting time discussing what to do, I also put time of arrival & departure, & hotel staying at

 

[*Emsie*]

Hi Emsie. In terms of accommodation try Air bnb https://www.airbnb.co.uk/ - you can find some really nice apartments in Amsterdam at reasonable prices.

Looking at a couple on here they are a LOT cheaper than I thought they were going to be! Seems too good to be true!

 

[*Emsie*]

This may sound anal, but I do an itinerary, just so each day I have an idea what we are doing, instead of getting up in the morning & wasting time discussing what to do, I also put time of arrival & departure, & hotel staying at

Lol good idea!