Amsterdam

Pros: Tolerance based in deep seated pragmatism
Cons: Can be disconcerting to those of us from more staid cultures.

Review Topic:  Overview

Warning: This posting contains a discussion of drugs and prostitution. Don't continue if reading about these topics would offend you.

There's nothing like visiting Amsterdam and talking to the...

Pros: It's Crazy Fun
Cons: It's Crazy Fun

Well... I have just returned from my Summer excursion into the European unknown and I thought I'd start off by writing about the craziest place I've ever been. And I am going to tell you the whole Amsterdam story...

Leaving from...

Pros: Fantastic Art, Great Sights, Friendly People, Great Street Food
Cons: None

We flew on Martinair from Miami to Amsterdam's Airport Schiphol. Upon clearing immigrations, we took a train into the center of Amsterdam. The Schiphol Rail Line operates 24 hours a day, and the trains run every 15 minutes from 6am to midnight.
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Pros: Wonderful, whimsical architecture, great atmosphere, excellent for just walking around
Cons: Most travellers plan too little time for Amsterdam

As an (ex) resident of Amsterdam, many of my American friends ask me what to go and see while visiting the city. Here are some of my favourites for a first time visitor to our capital:

First of all, make sure that your hotel is within the...

Pros: Poor weather
Cons: Great attractions

Yes, I as well have traveled in the Netherlands on three separate occasions and every trip confirms my love for this country. For such a small country, the Netherlands provides great city life as well as beautiful country landscapes perfect for bicycling...

Pros: Great idea of life in the 17th Century
Cons: A bit difficult to find. Get a map!

How many of you have been in a 17th century home lately? On a recent trip to Amsterdam, I took the time to visit the lovingly restored Rembrandt House.

Life in the 17th century

You probably know that Rembrandt is a famous,...

Pros: Lovely, peaceful and of historic interest
Cons: Could be boring or seem overly church-oriented to some

Contrary to popular expectations, the beguines who lived here were, for the most part, not Catholic, but members of the Hervormed (Reformed) or Gereformeerd (also Reformed!) Dutch Protestant denominations. Catholics were, and still are, rarer in...

Pros: it's Amsterdam baby!
Cons: Is it ever enough time?

***WARNING***This is a mature adult epinion. If you are prudish, underage or just plain boring you might not wish to go beyond this sentence.

I went to Amsterdam in June of 1998. I met up with my Aussie pen pal I had been talking to since...

Pros: Walk everywhere
Cons: Crowded

Over the years, I've visited parts of the Netherlands several times. Although I'd previously changed airplanes at Schipol, Amsterdam's main airport, my journeys had never taken me in to the heart of Amsterdam. A friend and I decided to visit Amsterdam...

Pros: Lots of opportunities for crazy times
Cons: Crazy times can often come up and bite you

Review Topic:  Sights & Attractions

Amsterdam for me is two different experiences. Over the course of a 6 week period this past summer, I had the opportunity to visit the city twice. Even though I stayed at the same place and...

Pros: Very compact, walkable and cozy; English understood everywhere; liberating feel
Cons: Kind of stinks; bicycles are a major nuisance; driving nightmare; nasty bouncers

Whenever someone hears I've been to Amsterdam, they usually wink and smile mischeviously - 'been to any coffee shops over there?'

Yes, there is plenty of weed going around, and plenty of sexual entertainment as well, if desired - but somehow...

Pros: Tons of history, outskirts of town are very picturesque...the Tulip Markets!
Cons: Nighttime in the Red Light district..Avoid Youth Hostels

On my second trip to Europe in the Spring of 1999, I decided to head with some friends to Amsterdam for a few days to see the sights and see first hand if all the stories of the baccanalia were true. Looking back, I have really mixed feelings about the...

Pros: legality and availability
Cons: gotta know where to go

I have been to Amsterdam several times. In 1998, I decided to meet up with six friends in this Venice of the North and to partake in the land’s skunk cake (a cake with marijuana baked into it) which was an utter disaster. Below is my personal experience...

Pros: charm, fun, beauty, art, tolerance
Cons: need plenty of time to take it all in

Our first trip to Amsterdam and we happened upon one of the big street parties of the year!

Public transportation is awesome in Amsterdam. And since almost everybody speaks English getting around is pretty easy. For about three dollars you can...

Pros: Everything you thought it would be.
Cons: There is some danger, watch your wallet while walking.

Amsterdam is everything you heard is was when you were a kid! You can smoke pot in "coffee" shops and have sex with a prostitute if that floats your boat. But once you have done that go out and enjoy an amazing city. First, I will address ...