hello everybody! Im taking my better half to Amsterdam for a long weekend this friday, both of us havent been there before but its somewhere we have always wanted to visit! but i haven't got a clue what or where to go, it was abit of a rush decision because i wanted it to be a suprise and the best expierence ever for him. so where do you suggest we visit, we're two very open minded 21 year olds (who enjoy a good smoke) also what can we expect weatherwise considering what the weather in the UK is like at the moment. so any advice information on absolutely anything i might need to know would be great. Thank you
Hey That's a pretty cool surprise! The weather.. well.. summer's definately over, so bring a warm sweater and an umbrella, just in case! At the moment there's a nice sunshine though.. Things to do.. well.. go to the Red Light District.. that's always fun to see, especially if you somewhat more openminded. Also a very touristic canalboat tour can be nice, to get some information on the architecture and have a nice view of the houses etc. If this is to 'organised', you could also rent a 'canalbike', which is fun and you can decide where to go on the canals yourself! Also a visit to some coffeeshops is kinda a must, even if you don't smoke.. just go in, have some tea and soak up the atmosphere! If you want to go to a park, you want to go to the 'Vondelpark' which is pretty nice. Really.. there's lots of stuff to do and see.. and the centre of the city isn't that big so you can do must of it by foot. I think you should buy a touristmap and just start walking (eg. from central station, Zeedijk/Chinatown, Red Light District, the Dam monument, Waterlooplein (hippy market, closes at 5, not open on Sunday!)). Some pointers: Public transport: buy a 'strippenkaart'.. it's much cheaper than buying a ticket in the bus/tram/metro Taxi/Cab: only use TCA (taxi central Amsterdam).. other probably wont speak english and rip you off bigtime.. really.. I've been there and I'm a 'native'. Hotel: carry a card from your hotel in case you get really lost or stoned Language: everyone speaks english so don't worry about that! Drugs: Don't buy it on the streets!! Officially smoking and drinking in public is forbidden, so don't do it too obvious.. smoking in the park is usually allowed. Buying weed and carrying a small amount for personal use is legal/tolerated. Tips/fee: it's normal (for locals anyways) to give about 10% of the bill, unless you're not satisfied with the waiter/food etc. They won't think you're weird though if you don't do it.. there are a lot of poor tourists/students anyway most important thing... Have fun!!! Enjoy!
Something I must add is 'strippenkaart's' can be a little confusing the 1st time you use them (OK I'm normally stoned but the wife doesn't smoke) so I normally buy a 24,48 or 72 hour tram pass you just get it validated by the driver first time you use it then just show it when boarding the trams there after. Coffeeshops to avoid IMO are Bulldog, Grasshopper, La Canna and Paradise Jon
hey.. didn't know about the tram pass.. what d'ya know eh? That's pretty cool (for tourists).. thank god I still have my student-pass with which public transport is free for me on weekdays.. but also it's kinda common in Amsterdam to not-pay, although that's not possible in every tram (some force you to step in through a specific door where some kind of counter is).. ah well.. as long as you get from A to B without being ripped off.. yeay!
thank you, thank you, thank you!!! cos we're flying tomorrow, im totally stressed because it was my idea and my suprise and i dont want us to end up going and making a right mess of it! we'r basically looking for a stress-free weekend break from work, and amsterdam seemed the perfect choice. so anymore tips on the best coffee shops with the most chilled out atmosphere let me know! also what are the prices like for a simple lunch to an evening meal? thanks
if you want not-so expensive food, go to a thai place (The Bird or Thai Prince) on the Zeedijk (it's in Chinatown.. lot's of similar restaurants there).. or to 'Wagamama' (a japanese based restaurant near Leidseplein). Basically.. unless you go to really fancy places you should be able to get dinner for about 15 euro each (dinner + drink). Italian restaurants are mostly cheap as well. I'm not too familiar with the cofeeshops.. and there are soooo many so.. just try a few! Have fun, don't stress!
OK - A few of the best coffeeshops in Amsterdam (IMO) Grey Area @ Oude Leliestraat, Amnesia @ Herengracht 133, Homegrown Fantasy @ Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 87a,Yo -YO's @ 2e Jan v.d. Heijdenstraat 79. For a cheap snack I recommend the Frites (Fries) place at Voetboogstraat 33 for a couple of €'s or be brave and try the raw Herring available at several stalls around the city. The most vital part (again IMO) is if your new to the city then get yourself a good map/travel guide. And last but not least if you go for a walk around the RLD you'll probaly hear the infamous "Psssstttt - cocaine, heroin" the best thing is to totally ignore them because if they hear you speak English you will be harrassed, Like I suggested the tram pass is invaluable in this instance as well because if I get harrassed or followed by any of these sort of people I just jump on a tram for a stop or 2 they never follow you onto trams Jon
Eat a croquette. Eat alot of croquettes. I think chicken is the best. You can get them at a Febo. Also saucijnbroodje (correct me pls). its like a sausage roll but better. Vla. How can something that sounds so bland be so good. Vla. Its in the milk section. its a pudding kinda.... Gevulde Koek. An almond paste stuffed cookie. Buy them at the grocery store and stick em in the microwave for ten seconds. if you can find it, gerookte paaling. smoked eel. tastes like bacon. basically you peel the skin back on a fat juicy eel and eat it like corn on the cob. stroop waffels. think oreo but instead its two waffles with syrup. do the microwave trick on one or buy them fresh. olie bollen. not my favorite but a classic. a Hema sausage. just follow your nose to the food place at the hema store. there they have half sausages that are boiled (?) i dont know for sure. eat a breath mint afterwards. you will burp up hema sausage all day long. zuure bom. a big pickle. you will need to be secure with your manhood to eat one of these in public. buy them at places that sell fish, becuase evryone knows fish and pickles go hand in hand. i also like to buy bread, butter and meat at the supermarket. the deli meat is 'cervallat' or something and it so good. cheap too. and now, for my last and most favorite thing: licorice. good ol super double salty black drop. i actually have that shipped to me, so much and so often that the owner of the company calls me up every once in a while to say thank you.
Hehehe.. funny Now I'm stuck with a mental image of some guy trying to eat a giant pickle unseen.. hehe
If you feel you need it, bring visine. Its a pain to find it in Amsterdam. Or you can wait til you're really high and go into a store and ask for oog druppels practice now: oog druppels
Great info in this thread. maufman- excellent! THIS is the kinda stuff I am interested in for my trip. THANX!!!!
