So I am going to Amsterdam, NL

[surferguy]

Just a note for anybody coming this way... Google to Hortus Hotel. Staying here now, it's very comfortable, clean and you get a free breakfast that includes two fried eggs!!! Thanks for all the tid-bits.

[3 Justin 3]

I stayed at the Bulldog. It was pretty decent, clean, no real shower though, just an empty area (in the bathroom) with a water nozel. But it was in prime location so I was very happy. The flying pig is supposed to be excellent (I tried to go there, but all booked up). That is if your going the hostel route, which is cheaper. But I found all the hostels in Amsterdam to be fairly expensive, especially the weekends, holy cow.

It was literally the last street before the Red Light District, and there own Coffeeshop is just down the street.

If you are going to do the full Amsterdam experience (smokey smokey), then I can recommend a few good ones. I went to the one where they filmed the scene from Oceans 12, which was pretty cool, but I ate 2 cakes and got so fried I didn't know what was happening, I was freaking out so I just went to bed.


As mentioned, check out the museums, the Van Gogh one was excellent, and the Reijksmuseum is awesome as well. The sex museum is a fun go, has some weird stuff in there.

I think I did everything there is to do in the Red Light District (except the prostitutes), but I bet most people did. So any questions feel free to ask.

[icarus]

I stayed at a small, cheap hotel there with a friend and it worked out great.

My girlfriend and her friend stayed at the Flying Pig Uptown and absolutely loved it, was their favourite hostel ever, are still in touch with a lot of the people they met, etc. It recently was torn apart and renovated, but I think it has reopened now. Whether it has the same character and charm I don't know, but everyone I've met who has stayed there has loved it.

Also, I've been to the Bulldog and it seemed cool but then again if a random off the street like me managed to get in to visit people maybe you should be wary.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

If you are going to do the full Amsterdam experience (smokey smokey), then I can recommend a few good ones. I went to the one where they filmed the scene from Oceans 12, which was pretty cool, but I ate 2 cakes and got so fried I didn't know what was happening, I was freaking out so I just went to bed.

Der Dampkring, I believe is the one you are talking about. Grey Matter is a very good one, or so I have been led to believe. I visited Amsterdam with a friend from Vancouver who is, er, a connoisseur and frequent visitor and knows all the coffee shops like the back of his hand. He was a helpful guide to have.

[chid]

The Rijksmuseum is newly renovated, and I was sorely disappointed I didnt get to see it while I was in Amsterdam a few years ago. Definitely check it out.

Friteur's are amazing when you are drunk/high/etc. You can get fries, dutch mayo, weird vending machine foods that look gross but are sickeningly good.

Bikes are an amazing way to explore the city, or on a boat in the canal!

If you like art, the Van Gogh museum is an interesting building.

The Heineken Experience is newly renovated as well, my buddy who was there a week ago said the improvements are awesome and the beer is so fresh.

[troutman]

Dutch fast food is great - try the croquette - it's a deep fried ragout, that you spread on bread. Fries and mayo of course. There is a place in SE Calgary where you can get all that stuff - Dutch Cash And Carry



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croquette

A deep fried meat ragout covered in breadcrumbs. Its success as a fast food garnered its reputation as a cheap dish of dubious quality, to such an extent that Dutch urban myths relate its allegedly mysterious content to offal and butchering waste. The "kroket" is even so popular that it is sold at McDonalds.

My relatives in Amsterdam are mostly annoyed/embarrased by the red light district and weed cafes.

The pubs with the rainbow flags are fabulous!

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by troutman

Dutch fast food is great - try the croquette - it's a deep fried ragout, that you spread on bread. Fries and mayo of course. There is a place in SE Calgary where you can get all that stuff - Dutch Cash And Carry



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croquette

A deep fried meat ragout covered in breadcrumbs. Its success as a fast food garnered its reputation as a cheap dish of dubious quality, to such an extent that Dutch urban myths relate its allegedly mysterious content to offal and butchering waste. The "kroket" is even so popular that it is sold at McDonalds.

My relatives in Amsterdam are mostly annoyed/embarrased by the red light district and weed cafes.

The pubs with the rainbow flags are fabulous!

My grandparents are dutch, and gramps makes a mean croquette!

[Jimmy Stang]

When I was there in 2006 I stayed here:

http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotel...am-centre.html

Don't let the "5 star, luxury" tag throw you off. It was pretty reasonably prices on Expedia.ca. Nice, modern rooms that were actually fairly large by European standards (read: normal sized North American room).

Walking distance to pretty much everything.

The Van Gogh museum was nice. There's also a lot of shopping and, of course, the sights and activities of the red light district to keep you amused.

My stay wasn't nearly long enough (2.5 days), and of all the European cities I have visited, Amsterdam is the one that a) I wish I had stayed longer, and b) want to return to the most.

[chid]

Originally Posted by troutman

Dutch fast food is great - try the croquette - it's a deep fried ragout, that you spread on bread. Fries and mayo of course. There is a place in SE Calgary where you can get all that stuff - Dutch Cash And Carry



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croquette
!

mmm had many of those while I was there.. mmmm

[rockstar]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

The reputation of the city plus the events we had within our first hour got our guard up really high. We'd be walking down the sidewalk, a guy coming the other way, and I'd be evaluating how big of a threat he was. He was just a regular dude, but we were wary about everyone. There is a happy medium somewhere.

Same here, man. Sooo high.


Oh, and Flying Pig ftw!

[Flames Draft Watcher]

mmmm Croquettes

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

mmmm Croquettes

Ha... thats why we went... for the Croquettes.