Beautiful City Amsterdam

Quelle ville merveilleuse

What a wonderful city. This truly is a place with something for everyone. Families, single travelers, couples, etc. Some of the reviews I have read make me shake my head because it is obvious that anyone who comes to Amsterdam and doesn't have a wonderful time is either horrible at making decisions (where to stay, what shops to visit, where to go), or they just don't enjoy a progressive yet beautiful city. You would have to try pretty hard not to have a good time.

There are museums, parks, squares, and sites everywhere you walk. The city is clean, police are everywhere, and things are fairly easy to find once you get used to the city layout.

Here are a few tips...........

Remember that you get what you pay for. I always find it amusing when people visit and stay in the cheapest dingy hotel or hostel they can find, and then complain about how things were dirty or felt unsafe. Although perfectly safe, don't have your hotel in the Red Light District unless you want a party non-stop and a seedy environment. Stay a few blocks away and walk there to "sightsee". Again, it is perfectly safe with cameras and police everywhere. You will have street dealers attempting to sell you various substances, just ignore them and they will quickly walk away. I will tell you right now, if you find any hotel for less than 100 Euro a night you may be surprised at what you find. However, if you just want to party and have a cheap bed, hostels are everywhere are are generally 20-40 Euro a night.

As far as coffeeshops go, this is a part of the city and you will find them everywhere, not just in the RLD. REMEMBER THIS.............anyone who mentions how great the Bulldog, Grasshopper, Central, or Bob Marley shops are................please just move on and understand you are getting your reviews from people who simply don't get out much and explore. Those shops are tourist traps and you can rest assured that those who frequent those shops are know-nothing tourists which keep those substandard places in business. These are the same people who go to Europe and eat all their meals at McDonalds and Hard Rock Cafe. Barney's, Amnesia, Yo-Yo, Abraxas, Grey Area, Tweede Kamer, Dampkring are all much better choices. Cheap uninformed tourists are easy to spot in Amsterdam. people will know you are a tourist anyway, but have some pride in yourself for God's sake!

Use the Tram! Easy to use, cheap, and very fast around town. I highly recommend this. No need to use taxis and bringing a car into downtown Amsterdam would be about the worst thing you could do.

Visit the museums. Have a good time and party a little, but there are so many beautiful things to see and tons of activities. Shopping is great, canal rides are lovely, the Anne Frankhuis is amazing, and VondelPark is wonderful. Get some culture when you visit. It really is a fantastic city.