Amsterdam March 2010

[Sundae]

Thought I'd best start my thread now, as I only have 34 days to go. Don't want to rush into it.

I've been poring over guidebooks from the library since last year, but I have my own now. So I've collated all the info into my own guide and am feeling very organised.

On the food and drink front, I've checked TripAdvisor for other tourists' opinions and come across this gem that isn't mentioned in any of the guides but is definitely on my list now:


I've also been plotting the sights on my map of the city, so I can see things in a reasonable order. I figure I have plenty of time to take in the major museums, churches and canal photo ops as well as walking, shopping and lazing about on a terrace watching the world go by. Weather permitting of course.

I plan to go on a walking tour of the Red Light District on my first night. I'll feel a lot more comfortable on an official tour, and see things I might hurry past if was on my own. There's one that runs every night at 20.00, so it will fit in well after a huge plate of ribs!

I wanted to go to the Hammam, but it is out of the city centre and it depends on my finances. Apparently they have one in London, so I might wait and maybe take Mum there for her birthday.

I still have to figure out what I want to do on my last day. I check out at 11.00, but my coach isn't until 19.30 (although I have to be there an hour in advance, so 18.30). I can leave my luggage in the B&B, so that's no issue. But I'll have to be occupied or the time will drag. I might leave the Rijksmuseum until that day. Then just find a convivial eetcafe...

I'm staying in the Hotel Brouwer on Singel, the first of the canals that girdle Amsterdam to the West. It looks like a good location and I expect to do a lot of walking. Amsterdam is small enough to walk across in 30 minutes, so although there are also good public transport links I'll be mainly on foot. Weather permitting again!

I'm ordering new luggage, because mine is falling apart. I'm just getting bags though - easier for me when travelling and certainly easier to get up the vertiginous stairs you find in all old canal-side houses. I'll take a pic when they arrive.