Misc Holland. Anybody been?

**Slainte** · 04-03-2010, 04:44 AM

Looks like I'm going to Amsterdam in July for a vaca.

Anyone familiar with the place? Any recommendations beyond the Rijksmuseum, wooden shoes, tulips and the coffee shops?

Feel free to add your blather for my consideration and so forth.

**DaKCMan AP** · 04-03-2010, 05:44 AM

Van Gogh museum - outstanding
Rembrandt House (Rembrandthuis)
Rijksmuseum
The Royal Palace Amsterdam
Dam Square
Anne Frank House
Museum Our Lord in the Attic
Eat pancakes
Take a trip outside the city

**ExtremeChief** · 04-03-2010, 06:04 AM

Twice! Never got to see anything! The guys I worked for are bastards!

Fritz88 · 04-03-2010, 06:14 AM

tripadvisor --> holland ---> things to do

You won't find tulips in that time of the year though.

FAX · 04-03-2010, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slainte

Holland. Anybody been?

Got the wooden t-shirt to prove it.

FAX

**Bwana** · 04-03-2010, 08:24 AM

I was there for a week in 1996. It was ok, but I have no desire to go back. The two things I strongly remember is, the people walk around with a deer in the headlights look and the food was very bland. Don't get me wrong, they are decent people, they just don't like to make eye contact. The only place worse on that trip was France. The French people earn their reputation for a reason. I would try to make it out of the city for a look around and try to meet some other people in the country when I was there, if I did it again, in both locations. Germany on the other hand was kickass.

prhom · 04-03-2010, 08:43 AM

You're gonna have a lot of fun there, it's a really cool place. Especially nice because you don't have to worry about language at all since they teach English and Dutch in the schools there. I'd recommend staying in the heart of the old part of the city if possible because you're close to everything there. First thing you should do once you get there is rent a "Grandma" bike, and get it for the entire time you're there. My brother and I only rented one for the last day and felt like idiots for not having done it earlier. It's the only way to do it, you can see everything there and not get tired from walking all over. Plus they're really fun and the breeze keeps you cooler than walking. That being said my suggestions are:

Van Gogh museum

Redlight district (just look, don't touch!)

The Harlem bar at corner of Haarlemmerstraat and Herenmarkt (good Belgian beer selection there and more of a locals bar than a touristy place)

Stadsbakker at the corner of Haarlemmerstraat and Singel (little bakery that has awesome breads and pastries, my favorite was a roll that had all kinds of dried fruit and nuts in it)

How long do you get to stay? Are you going anywhere else in Europe or just Amsterdam?

**gblowfish** · 04-03-2010, 09:12 AM

I think you can smoke hash legally there, if you're into that kind of thing.

Warrior5 · 04-03-2010, 09:36 AM

Been twice... one of my favorite places in Europe. Eat some cheese, take a canal tour of Amsterdam, and most of all, interact with the people.

Every single one I met spoke American, not English. Awesome people.

Enjoy.

Nero's Neptune · 04-03-2010, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Van Gogh museum - outstanding
Rembrandt House (Rembrandthuis)
Rijksmuseum
The Royal Palace Amsterdam
Dam Square
Anne Frank House
Museum Our Lord in the Attic
Eat pancakes
Take a trip outside the city

I would second Van Gogh museum and Anne Frank House. I thought the AFH would be boring, but I thought it was really cool. and if you like museums all of those mentioned are good.

The important thing is to just walk around and people watch....take a boat ride on one of the canals, and definitely stroll through the red light district at night. Even if you have no interest in the girls, it's a very, very unique experience worth checking out.

**Slainte** · 04-03-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Van Gogh museum - outstanding
Rembrandt House (Rembrandthuis)
Rijksmuseum
The Royal Palace Amsterdam
Dam Square
Anne Frank House
Museum Our Lord in the Attic
Eat pancakes
Take a trip outside the city

Sounds like a great list and I plan on getting out of the city for a day trip. Any recommendations on the direction to go?

Sweet Daddy Hate · 04-03-2010, 10:40 AM

Yes. Yes I have.

And I wished I lived there. I might even be able to find a job and have a life again.

**Slainte** · 04-03-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prhom

You're gonna have a lot of fun there, it's a really cool place. Especially nice because you don't have to worry about language at all since they teach English and Dutch in the schools there. I'd recommend staying in the heart of the old part of the city if possible because you're close to everything there. First thing you should do once you get there is rent a "Grandma" bike, and get it for the entire time you're there. My brother and I only rented one for the last day and felt like idiots for not having done it earlier. It's the only way to do it, you can see everything there and not get tired from walking all over. Plus they're really fun and the breeze keeps you cooler than walking. That being said my suggestions are:

Van Gogh museum

Redlight district (just look, don't touch!)

The Harlem bar at corner of Haarlemmerstraat and Herenmarkt (good Belgian beer selection there and more of a locals bar than a touristy place)

Stadsbakker at the corner of Haarlemmerstraat and Singel (little bakery that has awesome breads and pastries, my favorite was a roll that had all kinds of dried fruit and nuts in it)

How long do you get to stay? Are you going anywhere else in Europe or just Amsterdam?

Thanks. I'll probably do the bike thing and am putting The Harlem Bar on my list. Sounds good.

Gonna be there for 5 days. This is the hotel I'm staying in:

http://www.banksmansion.nl/banksMansion/default-en.html

Check out how much free alcohol is included in your stay. I've never seen anything like it, outside of all-inclusive resorts and cruises & such...

prhom · 04-03-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slainte

Thanks. I'll probably do the bike thing and am putting The Harlem Bar on my list. Sounds good.

Gonna be there for 5 days. This is the hotel I'm staying in:

http://www.banksmansion.nl/banksMansion/default-en.html

Check out how much free alcohol is included in your stay. I've never seen anything like it, outside of all-inclusive resorts and cruises & such...

Wow, you're not messing around. That's a nice hotel! We stayed in a hot, stuffy third-story room near the Harlem bar that an Egyptian guy named Ahmed was renting out. The place only had LED lights in the room...truly craptastic. I vowed I would never do that again. Wish I could have afforded to stay in a place like the Banks Mansion! Hope you have fun.

lostcause · 04-03-2010, 11:11 AM

Tour of the heineken brewery... Chill in Vondel Park if its nice out.
Make sure you go to the Bulldog right next to the redlight district, it's iconic.

04-03-2010, 04:44 AM
Slainte Please speak your mind Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10010402	Holland. Anybody been? Looks like I'm going to Amsterdam in July for a vaca. Anyone familiar with the place? Any recommendations beyond the Rijksmuseum, wooden shoes, tulips and the coffee shops? Feel free to add your blather for my consideration and so forth.
Posts: 3,251

04-03-2010, 05:44 AM	#2
DaKCMan AP Beloved & Awesome CP Celebrity Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Florida Casino cash: $6724952	Van Gogh museum - outstanding Rembrandt House (Rembrandthuis) Rijksmuseum The Royal Palace Amsterdam Dam Square Anne Frank House Museum Our Lord in the Attic Eat pancakes Take a trip outside the city __________________
Posts: 35,695

04-03-2010, 06:04 AM	#3
ExtremeChief Poser Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: BFE, MO Casino cash: $9991344	Twice! Never got to see anything! The guys I worked for are bastards! __________________ When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.
Posts: 2,354

04-03-2010, 06:14 AM	#4
Fritz88 Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $8845943	tripadvisor --> holland ---> things to do You won't find tulips in that time of the year though.
Posts: 12,706

04-03-2010, 08:24 AM	#6
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139473647	I was there for a week in 1996. It was ok, but I have no desire to go back. The two things I strongly remember is, the people walk around with a deer in the headlights look and the food was very bland. Don't get me wrong, they are decent people, they just don't like to make eye contact. The only place worse on that trip was France. The French people earn their reputation for a reason. I would try to make it out of the city for a look around and try to meet some other people in the country when I was there, if I did it again, in both locations. Germany on the other hand was kickass. __________________ Adventure is dangerous....but monotony can kill you.
Posts: 69,757

04-03-2010, 08:43 AM	#7
prhom Veteran Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Denver Casino cash: $8006013	You're gonna have a lot of fun there, it's a really cool place. Especially nice because you don't have to worry about language at all since they teach English and Dutch in the schools there. I'd recommend staying in the heart of the old part of the city if possible because you're close to everything there. First thing you should do once you get there is rent a "Grandma" bike, and get it for the entire time you're there. My brother and I only rented one for the last day and felt like idiots for not having done it earlier. It's the only way to do it, you can see everything there and not get tired from walking all over. Plus they're really fun and the breeze keeps you cooler than walking. That being said my suggestions are: Van Gogh museum Redlight district (just look, don't touch!) The Harlem bar at corner of Haarlemmerstraat and Herenmarkt (good Belgian beer selection there and more of a locals bar than a touristy place) Stadsbakker at the corner of Haarlemmerstraat and Singel (little bakery that has awesome breads and pastries, my favorite was a roll that had all kinds of dried fruit and nuts in it) How long do you get to stay? Are you going anywhere else in Europe or just Amsterdam?
Posts: 2,267

04-03-2010, 09:12 AM	#8
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17666178 VARSITY	I think you can smoke hash legally there, if you're into that kind of thing.
Posts: 40,837

04-03-2010, 09:36 AM	#9
Warrior5 Stram was Cav Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $9134010	Been twice... one of my favorite places in Europe. Eat some cheese, take a canal tour of Amsterdam, and most of all, interact with the people. Every single one I met spoke American, not English. Awesome people. Enjoy. __________________ The best pass defense is attacking the passer.
Posts: 5,232

04-03-2010, 10:40 AM	#12
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	Yes. Yes I have. And I wished I lived there. I might even be able to find a job and have a life again. __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
Posts: 77,135

04-03-2010, 11:11 AM	#15
lostcause Veteran Join Date: Apr 2009 Casino cash: $9609965	Tour of the heineken brewery... Chill in Vondel Park if its nice out. Make sure you go to the Bulldog right next to the redlight district, it's iconic.
Posts: 4,759