Tourist Attractions in Amsterdam

3 more images

The Floating Flower market is touted as a glorious explosion of colour and scent, a "floral paradise" of many many varieties of flowers and tulips (in season) which are my favourite flower. That's why i went to Amsterdam in May, hoping to see them. We did see them, but all the tulips we saw in the market were wooden or silk. Apparently we had missed the prime season by a couple of weeks. Rats! There were tulip bulbs to be purchased in quantities, and that was something i did expect to see in addition to fresh blooming flowers, and other fresh flowers too but quite a few of stalls along the canal seemed to carry souvenirs rather than flowers....so in my opinion, it's a bit of a tourist trap really.

Still, i know if we'd got there at the right time, we would have seen more tulips in the flower shops that are among the houseboat/stalls and we did see some lovely roses and some nice flowers. I'd say at least half or more sold souvenirs and crafts, more than i expected. I expected most of the stalls to be flower shop type stalls selling either flowers or seeds and bulbs and gardening items. It wasn't like that, not when we were there at least. I certainly wouldn't say that i was overwhelmed by flowers but i was overwhelmed by souvenir kiosks. I do realize that tulips aren't going to be prominent in the market most of the year, they have their prime season like any other flower and we missed that but i did think there would be more flowers and displays than there were. They were there, don't get me wrong, just not in the quantities i thought, judging from all the descriptions in various guidebooks and websites.

The flower market is a group of houseboats permanently anchored on the Single canal not too far from Rembrandtplein and has existed since the mid 1800s. Trams stop nearby and it's a short walk from Dam square. There are cafes and food stalls nearby as well. It's open Monday to Saturday, 9 to 6.

Unique Suggestions: There are still flower shops and stalls and it's definitely a good place to get bulbs and seeds if your are allowed to bring them back or ship them into your country. For tourists, you can't really do much with fresh flowers purchased here except decorate your hotel room. There are lots of souvenir stalls and crafts but there are a lot of those all over Amsterdam, too. It's very busy so watch your personal belongings.

Fun Alternatives: If, like me, you love tulips, try to get to the Netherlands mid April and take a visit to the tulip fields outside the city.

3 more images

Yes, we actually went in here. The admission price was about 5euro and I personally didnt think it was worth it. Its very small,TINY! It was as though someone did a class project and put it up on display. You can take all the pictures you want but I really didnt take any. We took a few of the cannabis garden they have there and thats about it. The museum displays other cultures and the significance that Marijuana has on their culture as well as the many vessels that are used to smoke it. There are a few books on display and there is a section on medicinal uses or marijuana. I didnt find it all that interesting surprisingly neither did Rob.

Unique Suggestions: Dont make this place a priority on the top of your list. If you did it all and you have some time to kill then maybe if you are still interested come here.

Fun Alternatives: If you are realy curious about cannabis just go to one of the coffeeshops. I am sure anyone there who takes smoking weed seriously will be more than happy to inform you on the ins and outs of marijuanna use. Trust me,when it comes to serious pot smokers they are filled with so much knowledge on the subject..... For free.

1 more image

Hey - it's innocuous and harmless - why not get your photo taken at, in front of, or inside - the IAMSTERDAM sign!

It's located on the Museumplein, in between the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, so you are going to be here sooner or later.

Of course, you will join 10,000 other people who have exactly the same idea as you - especially if it's at all a decent day.

Unique Suggestions: There are plenty of other photo opportunities spread through Amsterdam - some of which aren't even cliches!

Do not even think about using the credit card option which let's you place a phone call using your credit card from public telephones in Amsterdam airport. I just recevived the bill, a 15-second call ( I left a message on an answering machine) to a number in the US cost me 21,65 euros. The telephone company running this scam is infona.com (http://www.infonaa.com) and the number one has to call in the Netherlands to use their "service" is 00-800-99461355.

Fabio

Fun Alternatives: Buy a telephone card from a newsstand even if it cost ten euros and you wil use only part of the credit it will surely be cheaper than using your credit card or just use coins if you have them.

Part tourist trap, part flower riot. We were warned that some of the vendors sell last year's bulbs, and the varieties on the labels do not necessarily match the contents of the bags of bulbs. Better to deal with the established growers and order for delivery to the States. That way, you know that the bulbs are from this year, are innoculated for export to the States, and will arrive at the correct time for planting according to your choice of blossom time. We are also warned that deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and other rodentia are quite fond of Dutch bulbs, so good luck.

Unique Suggestions: Despite the above, take the opportunity to enjoy the massive amounts of cut flowers at the market. Also available: wooden tulips, cactus and cannabis. Look for the cannabis lollypops and grow-your-own cannabis seeds. But don't get suckered into thinking you can bring some home.

Fun Alternatives: This is hugely fun and there are some good opportunities to view varieties and order for delivery. If you're in Amsterdam for the spring flower festival, take an excursion bus out to the Keukenhof, the growers' display/garden/park. If you have a day to spare, there's an international cut flower auction year-round at Aalsmeer that is also spectacular, but if you only have a few days, there are better uses for your time.

Hey guys, if u will ever visit a smartshop DO NOT try anithing called herbal extracts. For example I was trying to understand the difference between Liquid C (they are saying, this *** gives u a coke feeling) and Liquid X (XTC-like). There is NO difference! It contains a LOT of coffeine and can give u a heart attack.

Unique Suggestions: Eat a lot of sugar, and a glass of whiskey - it helped me. May be it will help u...

Fun Alternatives: Better try a couple of Red Bull or, at least, take a mushroom. But *** this liquid extracts!

4 more images

This is the closest thing to Hooters I have seen in Europe. The music is LOUD and usually upbeat dance or Top 40 type. The beers are big and maybe a little expensive. They serve food, but we have only had the fries which were OK. The bartenders and waitresses dress in butt baring shorts and tank tops that are at least two sizes too small. Periodically (15-20 minutes) every one at the bar has to pick up their drinks to make way for the bar show. They wipe down the bar and one of the staff puts on a pseudo-strip tease dance. The bar also offers body shots. When some orders a shot they make a lot of noise and do a shot out of a waitress's cleavage.

Unique Suggestions: If you go to Teasers expect it to be loud. I have read a lot of complaints about this, just expect it if you go and don’t go if you don’t like it. The location on Damrak close to the station can make it a bust place in the evening. Just like Hooters you’re paying for the scenery and the show. The food is going to be marginal. I think of it as Hooters with an attitude. In a town where prostitution and marijuana is legal Teasers seems tame to many. On the other hand if a show at the Cassa Rosa is a little too much for you Teasers may fit the bill.

Given 4 stars by the Benelux Travel Bureau, which is graded on a curve...
This hotel is more of a 2 star exepericence, with the obnoxious staff as the ONLY thing reminiscent of a 4 star hotel..
They don't even let you hold on to you key! Tell me ONE 4 star hotel that carries this policy...!?

Some of the rooms which I passed as they were being cleaned were of a 2 star status...
but
I paid for a room which turned out to be on the top floor/ attic that was originally built as a maids quaters..
The window was so small that it was eclisped by the 13inch television hanging from the wall!
It was more of a closet than a room, I honestly, honestly could'nt figure out how they even got the mattress inside of it..
When I complained, 3 minutes after check in, they were enfuriatingly rude and bluntly told me "too late" with a smirk..
Further-more, they charged my credit card for drinks which I did not take WITHOUT my signature or consent what so ever...
I did'nt even stay in the room~!
I took my bags and my pride and told them to go 'uck themselves...
I did'nt even know that my card was charged for the drinks until my next statement!

and by the way,
I researched this place via Hotels.com
which is a sham in itself..

As long as everyone gets out safely,
I hope this place burns to the ground...

Unique Suggestions: There are plenty of other options in the area~

and ones which are FAR better priced much less far better accomodating..

Fun Alternatives: Hotel d'Amsterdam
Tweede Helmerstraat