Amsterdam

[Bully Bull]

Thinking of booking a weekend their in the near future.Anyone any recommendations re: Flights , Accomadation , Sights , Cafe Bars , Nightclubs etc. Cheers.

[Docboy]

Try the Hill Street Blues coffee shop not far from Central Station, coolest place in the Dam.

[Paddyfield]

If you want to save money on flights, fly to Brussels and get a train to Amsterdam. Flights to Brussels are cheaper at the weekend because it is a business city & they have a poor tourism industry. Note that Ryanair fly into an airport about 50km south of Brussels so it would not be suitable for travelling to Amsterdam as it would be a four or five journey.

There are two very central Ibis Hotels in Amsterdam that are very cheap. One is beside Cental Station. They are modern and clean. They are bookable on-line too.

Are you brining an apple to the orchard? :rolleyes:

[Peadar]

I'd take that travel advice with a pinch of salt unless the flights are significantly cheaper. You'll need to factor in the cost of train travel and the additional time it adds to your journey. If you're going for a weekend break, you don't want to be increasing your travel time.

Amsterdam city centre is fairly compact so you should walk around the canals and take in the sights. Beware of dodgy geezers trying to push charlie on you while you're walking though. They prey on toursist and often ask for a cigarette before pulling a knife on you. I spent 6 months there and saw this happen to loads of people, including myself.

The van Gogh Museum is worth going to see, as is the Anne Frank House. If the weather is nice, get up to vondelpark (http://www.amsterdam.info/parks/vondelpark/) and chill.

For the best all day breakfast, don't miss Barney's Breakfast Bar. (http://www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com/Database/ShopsA/Barney.html)
It's the business if you don't mind sharing a table with strangers who will always want to talk to you.

With regard to clubs, I'd recommend De Melkweg (http://www.melkweg.nl/), Panama (http://www.panama.nl/) & Trance Buddha (http://www.thedjlist.com/world/Netherlands_Antilles/Amsterdam/Venues/Trance_Buddha/).

[Bully Bull]

Thanks lads.Probably only going to be a 3 to 4 day trip so maybe a direct flight might be a better option.Have to check out a few of those sights and not get too comfortable in a cafe bar!The heinken Brewery is also apparently worth a look.

[Peadar]

The heinken Brewery is also apparently worth a look.

Also very busy with large groups having pre booked their tickets.
If I were you, I'd get down there first thing in the morning.
A boat tour on the canals is also worth doing to give you some of the history.

[Bully Bull]

Also very busy with large groups having pre booked their tickets.
If I were you, I'd get down there first thing in the morning.
A boat tour on the canals is also worth doing to give you some of the history.

Cheers Peader.Your advise is well appreciated.Dont know how much history a group of lads will want to take in but ill give it a go.

[CollegeTillIDie]

Well if any of the Dutch masters(painters) tickle your fancy check out the Rijksmuseum.

[Réiteoir]

Take the Ajax Stadium Tour up at the Amsterdam ArenA as well - ticket price includes entry into the Ajax Museum in the stadium.

Top tour - get to go onto the playing surface and all

[Eoingull]

I usually stay in the Bulldog hostel...it's clean, central and well run. Don't spend your whole trip in the coffeeshops...get out and experience a bit of Dutch culture...go back to the coffeeshops in the evenings. Also, learn how to give a firm, yet unconfrontational "no" to anyone offering you "Heroin, cocaine, ecstasy"...the dealers can be quite persistent.

[Ash]

Barney's Breakfast Bar.

Ah Barneys ... thats a blast from the past.
Great spot for brekkie after a night on the beer

[Dodge]

Take the Ajax Stadium Tour up at the Amsterdam ArenA as well - ticket price includes entry into the Ajax Museum in the stadium.

Top tour - get to go onto the playing surface and all
Sure sign of a football geek (and I say that proudly BTW)

[CollegeTillIDie]

apparently " In the port of Amsterdam there's a sailor who sings...." :D

[Réiteoir]

You could dress up in 1970s gear and recreate episodes of "Van der Valk"

(brilliant show btw)

[green army]

the heineken museum is well worth a visit.

[RogerMilla]

i lived there for 6 months , it flew by !!
If you are with the lads then check out a bar called La Vie En Proost
you need to go into the red-light and find the stone roses cafe , close to there in among peep shows and ladies of the night is a bar where you pay five euros entry, well worth it!!

Rijksmuseum and van gogh museum are both must-see . You can watch the spoilt Ajax supporters boo their team at half time if they are not winning by taking the train two stops out to the ajax arena

[BohsPartisan]

Siberie is a great coffeeshop. Very highly rated on all the smoker websites. Its along the canal between Centraal St and Jordaan. Very friendly plus they have a webcam so you can wave to your jealous mates when you're having a toke. http://www.siberie.nl
Look no further than the Bulldog hostel for accomodation.

[Raheny Red]

Just watching that webcam now, is that a painting of the Last Supper on the wall :confused: :eek:

[swain]

Drink is for nothing in Hill Street Blues too.

[BohsPartisan]

Just watching that webcam now, is that a painting of the Last Supper on the wall :confused: :eek:

They have different exhibits from time to time in there. When I was there there was a really weird surreal painting of Ned Kelly with loads of cops shooting at him and some jumping on his back and him just standing there in his mask shooting back killing them all.