My wife and I will be traveling through Amsterdam, to and from, on our trip to Tanzania this October. On the way back we're going to have two nights to spend there (as long as the government will let us stay with guns). Does anyone have any suggestions on where to stay and what to see while we're there?

In 2002 we stayed in Amsterdam at the "Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel." Bought the room for $101.90 through Priceline.
The accomodations were fine. Amsterdam was interesting, but I was not comfortable there. We went into the smoke shops and walked the red light district. It as way too liberal for my tastes. However, we did tour the Anne Frank house and I would highly recommend that. It was very interesting.

Personally, I had just as soon not go anywhere near the red light district, etc., but Amsterdam has much more to offer than that. One of those things is the people. They are friendly and helpful and pleasant to be around. IMO you should try to stay in the museum district, which is close to most anything you want to do. The Leidseplein is a great casual walk around, eat, drink and just enjoy area. If you are into museums, obviously you are near all of them.

As far as where to stay, go to Trip Advisor - Amsterdam and you get to plug in what area you are interested in and look at hotel choices, plus attractions, read customer reviews, etc. Pretty interesting.

Good luck and have fun!

I spent 8 hours i Amsterdam once while waiting for my plane to Canada. I tried to find something interesting - but all I found was shoes - tons of shoestores. Half of Amsterdam is shoestores!!!

Maybe it's a little bad of me to tell you this, but if you bring you're wife, you better be warned...

Thanks folks, this will get us a foothold on what to do while we are there.

I was in Amsterdam 2 weeks ago with my wife and 11 year old son. We where supposed to spend a couple days but KLM cancelled our flight from Cape Town so we only had 24 hours Amsterdam and an extra day in Cape Town. We stayed in a small hotel the Hampshire Inn I did not want to stay in a big American Hotel. The room was expensive for what you got especially with the exchange rate, about $237 per night.
It was $50 cab ride from the Airport right on a canal. It was close to most of the Museums, Heineken factory, etc. We just walked around for most of the day. We did not have any firearms.

I di not see any shoe stores, but there where plenty of Bar/Restaurant/Cafes. We only saw a couple Coffee "pot" Bars and Sex Shop's.

I would be interested on what it takes to stay with guns. Maybe it would be better to stay at the Sheraton at the Airport with firearms. It was about $500 per night but no cab ride.

Mike

The van Gogh museum is very good and one of the highlights of a visit to Amsterdam. The red light district is interesting, not just in seeing the girls in the windows, but the comical clash of cultures from when you see the "widow buses" stop in the area as the blue hairs gawk at what's for sale.

I had a one night layover in Amsterdam on my return from RSA in 2004. Stayed at the Victoria Hotel Amsterdam (011-31-0-20-524-0644). Hotel was absolutely great. Regardless of your convictions, I think you do need to at least make a quick stroll through the red light district (I found it FAR less obnoxious than Bourbon Street). It is "interesting" to say the least. As mentioned above, lots of great museuums and great restaraunts. Make sure you get an order of french fries with a huge helping of mayo!!

I had an overnight in Amsterdam about a month ago on my way back from RSA.

Put most of my luggage in a locker at the airport, and took the train into the Central Station - might have been about $6. Then caught a tram to the Leidseplein as mentioned by someone else - a good place to just hang out and have a few beverages - and stayed at a hotel called Dikker and Finijs (I think that is how it is spelled). It was fine, about $180US/night, and a great location within easy walking distance of just about everything.

I walked around in the Red Light district, enjoyed a canal cruise in the evening, and the next morning took a walk over to the museum district.

They certainly come from all walks of life in Amsterdam.

Have fun,
Jeff

The museums are great in Amsterdam, one of the tours that includes Anne Frank's house is always good and you can always jump on a train and take a ride to The Hague or somewhere like that so you get a look at the country. The food is generally very accpetable but avoid the green herring.

The red light district can be quite entertaining. I found it fun to watch the girls antics when they would see a guy walking towards them. I love the little rear view mirrors they use to see people comimg down the street.

Lots of good food in Holland no matter where you go. Breakfast is always great and if you are there on a Friday night, go to one of the large old established hotels for dinner. It's usually a family affair where waltz music is played and you will see fathers and mothers dancing with their children.

I spent three days in Amsterdam last January on the tail end of a business trip. I stayed at the Park Hotel, I can highly recommend it.

The hotel is one block from the Rembrandt and Van Gogh museums and has a canal cruise landing across the street. It is also close to many shops (bring LOTS of money ) and restaurants. Off season, I believe I paid @120 Euro per night.

As an aside, the Rembrandt Museum is undergoing major renovations and its collection has been sent out to other museums across Europe. The museum is still open and has some wonderful paintings but the exterior is covered with scaffolding and the exhibits have been pared down a bid.

I very much enjoyed Amsterdam but watch out for all those bicycles, they have the right of way.

Regards,

Mario

What are the gun laws in the Netherlands? I know you need a permit to transit, but what about going to a hotel with guns?

Mike

Amsterdam is truly an amazing city. If you appreciate Great Architecture, Great Art or boats or just people watching, - though there are a lot of characters. I sat at a one of the many sidewalk cafés in one of the squares and it seemed as though everyone, and I mean hundreds of people, seemed to be completely stoned. The Van Gogh museum is good but the Rijksmuseum is even better; holding many of Rembrandt’s finest and most famous works including “The Night Watch†and “The Staalmeesters†(The old Dutch Masters painting). The streets with their 15th & 16th century buildings, the canals full of fabulously crafted wooden boats; simply a world-class city and a glimpse into the past. Also, I’m sure your wife will appreciate the flower markets. It maybe the world’s best walking city. Also, the canal boat tours are very interesting. Plenty to see.

As per Gracy Travel the government will hold your firearms in customs for a 2 night stay but no longer. I assume there is a section for in transit firearms to accomidate this policy. I would like to hear from anyone who has done this in the past.