Job Discussion Forums

Heen · Joined: 16 May 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Los Angeles, CA

Hi Everyone!

I will have a one-day layover in Amsterdam in September on my way to Prague. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on what to do/see while I'm there, as I would rather not sit in the airport for 24 hours. As I will be alone and pretty clueless (haven't traveled much and don't speak the language), I'd prefer nothing too complicated, please! Thanks for any suggestions.

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

It's easy to ride the trains from Schiphol to the centre of town. Be sure to take a canal tour on a boat. You'll probably be too tired to do much walking.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

You don't need to worry about not speaking Dutch. Particularly in the tourist areas of Amsterdam, English is widely understood and spoken. You'll be fine.

Heen · Joined: 16 May 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Los Angeles, CA

Thanks guys! I really appreciate it. A canal tour sounds perfect.

wildchild · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010

The one day that I spent in Amsterdam, we had a coffee, saw the Anne Frank house and Van Gogh museum, and lounged in some big park (I forget the name), and walked along the canals. Smile

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

Two or three hours in any of the fine museums would be a good way to spend extra time. Museums, however, can be very crowded (especially early in the day).

My choice:
Tropenmuseum (near the zoo), a huge place and never crowded; a real showplace for cultural anthropology around the world; also has a fine cafe to eat and relax in; tram stops right in front

http://www.kit.nl/frameset.asp?/tropenmuseum/Default.asp&frnr=1&

(Click the UK flag for English)

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

It's a great city!!

My own suggestions would be a canal-boat ride (approx 90 mins), a trip to the Rijjksmuseum (as long or as short as you want, it;s fascinating), a coffee or a beer around Munt Square, and after dark, a meal in one of the many ethnic restaurants, especially Indonesian.

Plenty of cheap(ish) hotels and hostels, basically, everything you need. Pop in to the tourist office at the airport, and they will have all the info on the above attractions and on getting around, accom etc.

Don't worry about the language, everyone speaks English, and with Dutch and English being very similar, you will be able to read many signs anyway. Also, it's a small city, and is extremely pedestrian-friendly at that.

You will want to go back for more, I promise. Enjoy!! Laughing

maya.the.bee · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 118 Location: Stgo

with only one day i'd rent a bike. they're pretty cheap and the dam is easy to get around.

vondel park (sp?) is probably the big park mentioned before

dam square - not far from the train station downtown - lots of stuff to do around there

heineken brewery

the puma store (if you're a puma freak like me - i think its their main store)

and of course a bonbon shop (if that's your thing)

have fun

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

My favourite thing is the torture museum.

saint57 · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 5:57 am Post subject:

Ok, I'll say it. Visit the RLD and coffee shops.