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| One Week in Amsterdam. By Nick Jones |
I'm a 34 year African-American and my wife is
Cuban-American. We traveled to Amsterdam, Holland from
March 30th thru April 6th 2003. This was my second trip to
Amsterdam. My first trip was in April of 2000.
We took our trip as a vacation during my favorite time of the
year. March and April are great times to go to Amsterdam
because it's right at the beginning of the tourist season and the
prices are still good for flights and hotels. Also the weather that
time of year is very nice. Although there are sporadic showers,
the daytime temperatures are in the Low 50's and night time low
Cuban-American. We traveled to Amsterdam, Holland from
March 30th thru April 6th 2003. This was my second trip to
Amsterdam. My first trip was in April of 2000.
We took our trip as a vacation during my favorite time of the
year. March and April are great times to go to Amsterdam
because it's right at the beginning of the tourist season and the
prices are still good for flights and hotels. Also the weather that
time of year is very nice. Although there are sporadic showers,
the daytime temperatures are in the Low 50's and night time low
temperatures are in the High 30's.
As far as knowing the language, I'd say at least 95% of the people in Amsterdam speak English. Also you'll see that everyone is so
helpful that when you have a question about anything. The local people make tourists feel right at home. Also violent crime is
pretty non-existent in Amsterdam so the only thing you really need to watch-out for are the pick-pockets. I just use a money belt
or keep everything in my front pants pockets and that's cool for me.
As far as knowing the language, I'd say at least 95% of the people in Amsterdam speak English. Also you'll see that everyone is so
helpful that when you have a question about anything. The local people make tourists feel right at home. Also violent crime is
pretty non-existent in Amsterdam so the only thing you really need to watch-out for are the pick-pockets. I just use a money belt
or keep everything in my front pants pockets and that's cool for me.
On both of my trips my Hotels have been wonderful. The staff at both hotels was very helpful with
everything from answering my questions to cleaning the room perfectly each day. On the 2003 trip we
stayed at the Hotel Vijaya in the Red Light District and on my first trip I stayed at the Hotel Royal
Taste also in the Red Light District. The service in restaurants is equally as good. All the restaurants I've
visited had good service and very helpful staff.
While in Amsterdam I would highly recommend visiting the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh
Museum, the Riks Museum, and the Rembrandt House. You shouldn't leave Amsterdam without
seeing these museums.
Also on the 2003 trip we also spent one night in Brussels, Belgium where we went to see The Roots in
concert. We stayed at The Hotel Saint-Michel which is in the same square with The Belgium Royal
Palace. Brussels is a nice city but it's a little hard if you don't speak Flemish or French. Not many folks
speak English but the people were nice even though in most cases we had a definite language barrier.
If anyone is thinking about going to Amsterdam they should definitely go. It's a wonderful city full of
culture, great museums and beautiful Architecture. Not to mention the more adult activities such as the
Red light district, coffee shops, etc.
The Dutch government should pay me for all the wonderful endorsements!
everything from answering my questions to cleaning the room perfectly each day. On the 2003 trip we
stayed at the Hotel Vijaya in the Red Light District and on my first trip I stayed at the Hotel Royal
Taste also in the Red Light District. The service in restaurants is equally as good. All the restaurants I've
visited had good service and very helpful staff.
While in Amsterdam I would highly recommend visiting the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh
Museum, the Riks Museum, and the Rembrandt House. You shouldn't leave Amsterdam without
seeing these museums.
Also on the 2003 trip we also spent one night in Brussels, Belgium where we went to see The Roots in
concert. We stayed at The Hotel Saint-Michel which is in the same square with The Belgium Royal
Palace. Brussels is a nice city but it's a little hard if you don't speak Flemish or French. Not many folks
speak English but the people were nice even though in most cases we had a definite language barrier.
If anyone is thinking about going to Amsterdam they should definitely go. It's a wonderful city full of
culture, great museums and beautiful Architecture. Not to mention the more adult activities such as the
Red light district, coffee shops, etc.
The Dutch government should pay me for all the wonderful endorsements!
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