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Amsterdam Journals

Amsterdam: It's Great

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A January 2006 trip to Amsterdam by Andrew

Vondelpark Photo - Amsterdam, Netherlands More Photos
Quote: What can you do in Amsterdam in 2 days?
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Amsterdam: It's Great Best of IgoUgo

Overview

Another canal Photo - Amsterdam, Netherlands
Quote:
Amsterdam itself is the highlight. Spend some time wandering along any one of the many canals ringing the city and you will understand why: the city is beautiful. And coming from New York City, the contrast is stark: the low buildings and ubiquitous canals contributed a sense of spaciousness to what is actually a crowded city. More importantly, to me at least, was the quiet--Amsterdam is remarkably peaceful. That may have to do with the relative lack of cars in the city (Amsterdammers seem to prefer bicycles).Quick Tips: Learn to speak Dutch. Sure, everybody here speaks fluent English, but that's not the point. The point is that it's difficult to remember what street you're trying to get to i...Read More
The view, again Photo - Swissotel Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Quote:
"What a nice hotel; if only it were closer to town." That pretty much sums up my attitude about the hotel I stayed at on my last trip. So, this time around, for a little extra cash, we stayed at a hotel right next to Dam Square. As it turns out, that was money well-spent: on such a short trip, there was no time to be wasted getting to and from the hotel. Dam Square is the center of it all: walking distance to all the major attractions and also a short walk from the train station, where you can catch a train directly to the airport. The hotel was also across the street from a bicycle rental place.Aside from that, there is not much to tell about the Swissotel. The room was alm...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 1, 2006

Swissotel Amsterdam
Damrak 96
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 (20) 5223000

Pannenkoekenhuis-Upstairs Pancake House Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Pannenkoekenhuis"

Decadent breakfast Photo - Pannenkoekenhuis-Upstairs Pancake House, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Quote:
Several people had recommended the Pancake Bakery to me before my trip. Instead, I went to this place. By accident, mind you: how many specialty pancake houses can one city have, I thought? At least two, it turns out. I didn't learn of my mistake until I got back, but no matter. This place was interesting to visit and featured some mighty delicious pancakes.Finding the place was a bit tricky. It is hidden away on the second floor of a narrow building and marked by an unassuming sign that is easily missed. Yet, it seemed to have it own special magnetism: twice I stopped, just to get my bearings, only to see the sign for the pancake house right in front of me. If fate was that determined to ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on February 4, 2006

Pannenkoekenhuis-Upstairs Pancake House
Grimburgwal 2
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 626 56 03

Rijksmuseum Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Rijksmuseum again Photo - Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Quote:
I learned nothing about art at the Rijksmuseum, but I did learn one thing about museums: they are not for the exhausted.The Rijksmuseum was the first place I went in Amsterdam, after checking in to the hotel. I had known beforehand that most of the museum was closed for renovations, and would be through 2008, yet I still wanted to go to see the small selection that was still on display. My visit started out well: I was fresh off the plane, excited to be in the city, and very relieved to be inside, away from the freezing cold. But as soon as I got into the exhibit, I began to regret the fact that I had not been able to sleep on the plane. So I rushed through the exhibits, looking for the go...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on February 5, 2006

Rijksmuseum
Stadhouderskade 42
Amsterdam, Netherlands 1071 ZD
+31 20 674 70 00

Coffee Shops Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Various Coffee Shops"

Siberië Photo - Coffee Shops, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Quote:
Of course, no visit to Amsterdam is complete without a visit to one of its famous coffee shops. While I imagine they all do serve coffee, that is not what they are famous for. The coffee shops are the places you go to take advantage of Amsterdam's relaxed attitude to marijuana. Strictly speaking, possession of it is illegal, but apparently this is ignored when small quantities are involved.So I sampled a few of these places. The first was a place called Siberië. It was a peculiar experience, walking up to the bar and being presented with a menu featuring prices for "grams" and "pre-rolled joints." But I gave it a shot, selecting a pre-rolled joint (and a coffee) an...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 5, 2006

Coffee Shops
Throughout Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Netherlands

About the Writer

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