Going to Amsterdam/Den Haag in less than two weeks, any tips/advice?

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GSG Flash

Nobody ruins my family vacation but me...and maybe the boy!
Hey guys, I'm gonna be heading to Amsterdam on the 16th with the fam and I was wondering if anyone here who's been there before has any tips or advice. I'll be staying with my family who live in Den Haag so I'm assuming they know all the hot (family friendly) spots around town, but maybe someone here knows some cool places to check out that my family may not know about or forgets about or something.

I'm also gonna be heading to Brussels (and probably Antwerp too), Paris and Zurich, probably staying a day or two at most in each city, and I was wondering if anyone has good tips and advice for those places.

Also, I have a few questions. First one, how hard is it to overcome the language barrier in Brussels, Paris and Zurich? I've been learning some dutch(I'm probably only good enough to barely read a kids picture book right now) and I know basic French thanks to living in Canada(it's not conversational good, but good enough to get a jist of written stuff in French) but I don't know a lick of German.

Second question, does 24 come in Holland? And if it does, what channel/network and time will it be on? And is it in English? The reason I ask is because I'll be missing the finale and I'd rather not wait 3 weeks to watch it :lol

Thanks!
 
GSG Flash said:
Second question, does 24 come in Holland? And if it does, what channel/network and time will it be on? And is it in English? The reason I ask is because I'll be missing the finale and I'd rather not wait 3 weeks to watch it :lol

Thanks!
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24, like all television in europe comes about 2 hours later than america via torrents.. Everything on dutch telly is in original language with dutch subs if required. Not sure exactly the channel but it's probably carried by veronica or one of the RTL channels. that should get you started for looking anyway. p.s torrents.

I've been living in Amsterdam for 3 1/2 years.
The red light district is laughably crap. If you aren't going to bang a hooker spend 20 minutes here. If you are going to bang a hooker, spend an hour tops. Don't smoke the weed in the middle of the day unless you want your day ruined or are a stoner, it's strong. Smoke some at the end of the night. And never buy any pot from the greenhouse unless you like setting your money on fire.

Uh, if you want to do museums IMO the rijksmusuem is better than the van gogh.

Rent a bike and bike round amsterdam. DONT get a macs bike. They are red and say 'noob tourist' on the side. Get one from Star bikes and get a coffee while you are there. This bike store rocks, they have quality bikes that don't look bright tourist yellow or red and the place is wicked friendly with a super relaxed coffee house vibe.

the trains/metros and so are changing their public transport system right now. Strippenkaarts are going out and the new chipcards are in. read up on getting around via public transport here. http://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/?taal=en

You won't need/use dutch for your purposes at all.
 
catfish said:
24, like all television in europe comes about 2 hours later than america via torrents..
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Except breaking bad today, FUCK

the trains/metros and so are changing their public transport system right now. Strippenkaarts are going out and the new chipcards are in. read up on getting around via public transport here. http://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/?taal=en
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It's finally in use? I've heard that Rotterdam started using the chipkaart as well, is it just the randstad as of now?
 
Get some Belgian Fries at the Voetboogsteeg, in Amsterdam (it says 'Vlaamse Friet' on the sign). It's off of the Kalverstraat (the main shopping strip). These fries are out of this world.
 
In Amsterdam get the Iamsterdam card at the tourism office, in front of the main train station. It has free entry for many museums and free transportation in tram, bus and metro for 24 hours (try to get it early at morning, office opens at 9 AM). Also discount coupons for restaurants and shops that last as long as their offer is still up, plus some free stuff like a coffee at some bistro, etc.

If you're lucky the Riijksmuseum will have some awesome exposition. I got to see John Everett Millais' works, including Ophelia.

Go to Rembrandtsplein and make some goofy photos fooling around with the statues that recreate Rembrandt's Nightwatch.

The Amsterdam museum has some interesting facts about the city, like how they installed a sewage system in the 1600s after flatulence and plagues became more than worrying.

Avoid Madame Tussaud's unless you're under 15 or a girl hot for celebrities like Robbie Williams. It's not included in the Iamsterdam card so it'd be wasted money.

Never went for the boat trips, but people say they are quite interesting from an historical POV.

Oh, there're also hookers and coffeeshops. But avoid taking photos in the red light district. The pros there can get hysterical and call their "agents". Also, the Excalibur pub in the red light district is a nice place to look at the decoration while drunk.

Edit: also, don't worry about the hoodies constantly offering you coke at the red light district. There are many CCTV cameras around, just ignore them or politely decline.
 
Try croquettes and bitter balls (which aren't bitter), and you better have some mayo with those fries!

So jealous, say hi to my relatives for me.
 
Thanks for the tips guys

So torrents are the safe bet? Do the RTL channels or Veronica broadcast in HD? (I'm not even sure if my uncle, who's house I'm staying at, has an HDTV so that might be a pointless question lol)

As for the coffee shops and the RLD, I probably won't be smoking weed or banging hookers since neither of those two activities are very family friendly :P

Although I'm not a huge art guy, the Rijksmuseum sounds interesting so I will definitely try to go check that out.

An Iamsterdam card sounds interesting, but I'm assuming that each individual will need their own card, so are there any deals for groups?

And does anyone have any tips (or an answer to the language barrier question) for Brussels, Paris or Zurich?

Thanks again!
 
dude just speak english in the big cities
guaranteed everyone under 70 will understand you perfectly

atleast for belgium (antwerp) and the netherlands(amsterdam/denhaag)
 
Most people speak English, but they will be more friendly towards you if you speak French. Enjoy all the wild and crazy 'shows' they have.
 
You should totally go see a movie in the cinema Pathe Tuschinski. It's a really beautiful cinema in Art Deco style. You should watch a movie in "Zaal 1", that's the big one.
 
Cool. I live in Den Haag next to central station.

Make sure if the weather is good, to check out "het Plein" and have a seat at one of the many terraces. Watch the beauties go by.

I also wanted to tell you to check out "de gevangen poort" but just found out it's closed for renovation....
 
AkuMifune said:
The girls are really dirty and the hash is really strong.
Use condoms and mix your joints with tobacco. That is all!
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This. A friend almost fell down the stairs to the bathroom after he took one hit of a pure j in a coffee shop. :lol
 
One big piece of advise: don't hit the first coffeeshop in sight. They sell inferior product at rediculous prices. I can definatly recommend The Bulldog, situated on the Wallen (Red Light District): good stuff, decent prices and friendly staff.

Above all: enjoy yourself. Amsterdam and The Hague are the greatest cities in the world IMHO (I'm from The Hague and I'm a huge Ajax-fan).
 
I have a seven hour stopover in Amsterdam next month; is that enough time to exit the airport and do something interesting (aside from weed / hookers)?
 
The Hague is a pretty good city. Lots of interesting museums and when the sun shines, there's always the beach or any of the parks in the city.

I would advice on boning a hooker, but do what you want. Visit to a coffeeshop is kind of a must though.
 
There are a lot of awesome coffee shops in the Hague.
If I may recommend:
http://www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com/GreenhouseG1.html
http://www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com/SmokeyG2.html

Spend quite some time there "studying".


Lazy said:
I have a seven hour stopover in Amsterdam next month; is that enough time to exit the airport and do something interesting (aside from weed / hookers)?
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Doable, but you have to plan it.
It takes around 20~30 min to get from the airport to amsterdam central by train.
 
Eat as many stroopwafels as you can, drink as much Hertog Jan and Grolsch Kanon as you can, and shout out GODVERDOMME at random intervals.

Godamn it, I miss not being able to go to the Netherlands this year. If I'm lucky I'll have a three hour stop at Schiphol when I got back to Scotland for winter holidays.
 
hiro4 said:
Doable, but you have to plan it.
It takes around 20~30 min to get from the airport to amsterdam central by train.
Click to expand...

Any specific suggestions on interesting things to do during my limited time? Is there any point going to a coffee shop if you can't smoke?
 
industrian said:
Eat as many stroopwafels as you can, drink as much Hertog Jan and Grolsch Kanon as you can, and shout out GODVERDOMME at random intervals.

Godamn it, I miss not being able to go to the Netherlands this year. If I'm lucky I'll have a three hour stop at Schiphol when I got back to Scotland for winter holidays.
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I applaude your taste in beer sir
 
Lazy said:
Any specific suggestions on interesting things to do during my limited time? Is there any point going to a coffee shop if you can't smoke?
Click to expand...

If you go to amsterdam follow the crowd :p
enough tourists to follow so :) Also in front of Amsterdam Central is a tourist info "shop"
Really depends on what you wanna do. Go for hookers, drugs or culture.

Also:
Beer is good here! Lots of choices
 
Don't go to the Bulldog cafe to get gear - it's touristy and rubbish.

There a re a few great little coffee shops around the intersection of Singel and Brouwersgracht - can't remember the names of them. But then again, I couldn't remember my name either after a couple of hours there.
 
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