Amsterdam

Travelers' Takes

Getting There

Zigbee quarterly - 6/8/02

A June 2002 trip to Amsterdam by gmulligan

HotelMore Photos

This was my first trip to Europe. Amsterdam was very different from what I expected.

  • 10 reviews
  • 1 story/tip
  • 7 photos

Hotel Amsterdam de Roode LeeuwBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Hotel
This is a small hotel down Damrak from the train station. It is a nice small hotel. The standard rooms are very small, as to be expected in Europe. The deluxe room is a decent size. The hotel offers high speed internet for $5 per day.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by gmulligan on October 20, 2003

Hotel Amsterdam de Roode Leeuw
DAMRAK 93 94 Amsterdam, Netherlands
31-20-5550666

De WaagBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

De Waag
While the restaurant was highly recommended, I did not like it at all. The staff was difficult and there was little service. They ran out of bread and getting a plain salad was impossible.

It was very noisy and the food was nothing special. I think people come because the of the building the restaurant is in, not for the food, service, or value.

  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by gmulligan on October 20, 2003

De Waag
Nieuwmarkt 4 Amsterdam, Netherlands
(020) 422-7772

New Season ChineseBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

I don't think you go to Amsterdam to get Chinese food. I wanted to find Kung Pao chicken, but in all of the restaurants that I passed they didn't seem to offer it. I asked here and they said that Gon Bo Kai was Kung Pao--it wasn't. It was bland.
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by gmulligan on October 20, 2003

New Season Chinese
Warmoesstr 39 Amsterdam, Netherlands
(020) 625-6125

Restaurant de PortugeesBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This place was awful. It was smelly and the food was awful. Had I not been with a group I would have walked out.

I would never go back. I'm adding it here so I remember not to go here if I am ever back in Amsterdam.

  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by gmulligan on October 20, 2003

Restaurant de Portugees
Reedjik 39 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Restaurant 't Swarte SchaepBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This was a great restaurant. Unfortunately it was closing down just after we ate there. The sports bar downstairs bought it! Excellent food and excellent service. This place will be missed.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by gmulligan on October 20, 2003

Restaurant 't Swarte Schaep
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 24 Amsterdam, Netherlands
(020) 622-3021

Amsterdam Bus TourBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Windmill
This is a nice tour around Amsterdam. The tour guide was very good and we saw quite a bit of Amsterdam. Anne Frank's house was insipring to really try to understand what they were going though.

The diamond cutting tour was awful. Very little time was spent on how they get diamonds or cut them or rate them. It really was more of a pushy sales job to get you to buy something. They lock you in a room to "tell you about diamonds" and show you some, but it seems like they won't unlock the door until someone buys something. Then the long walk out is past counter after counter of jewelry with everyone asking you to buy something.

Skip this and wander the street while everyone else is inside. Don't miss the bus though.

The windmills are also great to see, though none of them were turning or in use when the tour was there.

  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by gmulligan on October 20, 2003

Amsterdam Bus Tour
Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam Canal TourBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Canal
The canals are a sight to see. All of the house boats all over the place. This was a fun tour, even when it was raining.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by gmulligan on October 20, 2003

Amsterdam Canal Tour
Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands

Madame TussaudBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Madame Trousade's Wax Museum"

Wax Museum
The wax figures were amazingly lifelike. Once I was waiting for the man in front of me to move. After getting irritated, only then did I realize I was waiting behind a wax person!

Later I was intrigued by a wax lady. When I went to look at the details of her fingers she asked me if I needed help! Yes--for cardiac arrest!

It is a great place to visit!

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by gmulligan on October 20, 2003

Madame Tussaud
Dam 20 Amsterdam, Netherlands 1012 NP
+31 20 522 10 10

Van Gogh MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Van Gough Museum"

Van Gough Museum
It is a nice, clean museum, but unless you really like Van Gough, it isn't that great. I think his paintings are ok, but I am not in awe of them and I'm not sure what all the fuss is. I think that if he were alive he would not be discovered at all. Maybe it is just because he was painting so long ago.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by gmulligan on October 20, 2003

Van Gogh Museum
Paulus Potterstraat 7 Amsterdam, Netherlands 1071 CX
+31 (20) 570 52 00

Street ArtisiansBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Street Performer
These people put all sorts of makeup on and then stand around like statues, robots, painters, etc. Some of them are amazing and can stand still forever. They will also interact with you, which is fun.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by gmulligan on October 20, 2003

Street Artisians
Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands

Coffee ShopsBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

I made the mistake of going into a "coffee shop" to get an espresso. They don't sell espresso in these shops. I was told that I had to go down the street to get "coffee for kids"!

About the Writer

gmulligan
gmulligan
Colorado Springs, Colorado

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