Attn: Dutch-type-person-individuals... Seeking Amsterdam visit advice

**Whacker** · 05-29-2008, 21:45

Topic says it all. I'm being shipped out this Saturday to Amsterdam for 2 weeks for an audit.

Obviously there's the whole drug and porn culture that people seem to associate with the Netherlands these days, but that's not really my fare, PLUS it is a business trip after all. I don't know how much time (if any) I'll actually have to get out and see things, but nevertheless I would like some input. Also, I'd like to keep things relatively cheap, so renting a car and driving places is most likely out. (And for historical purposes, I find the period of time between 1500-1900 to be exceedingly boring and uninteresting)

So... educate me, my friends.

**Csargo** · 05-29-2008, 23:02

I know nothing of the Netherlands, but I got you this Whacker.

**Geoffrey S** · 05-29-2008, 23:06

If it's good weather, do get a bike and go cycling through the countryside, certainly if you're with a group. It's a real pleasure and due to the lack of elevation changes not strenuous at all. Perhaps along the Amstel from the centre of Amsterdam.

If you go anywhere, trains are reasonably cheap, despite the grumbles from the Dutch. You can get to a couple of other great places, like Utrecht and Leiden, within an hour and they are somewhat quieter places with nice terraces if that's your thing.

If you do get the chance to go out for a meal by car, a place not too far out of Amsterdam is Nieuwersluis. Do check if you can get a place at Het Stoute Soldaatje, great food for a decent price. Might be a bit busy now, certainly in weekends.

**Hax** · 05-30-2008, 00:29

(And for historical purposes, I find the period of time between 1500-1900 to be exceedingly boring and uninteresting)

Worst country you're coming to then. We have no history before 1500.

In any case, there's some interesting stuff here. We have Madurodam, which is situated near...some place, next to some other things, such as the Dom Tower in the great city of Utrecht (Hey, I lived there for seven years), and "Van Speelklok tot Pierement", a museum thing in Utrecht.

**Beirut** · 05-30-2008, 02:34

Is there still a Pink Floyd cafe in Amsterdam?

My buddy was there years ago and said there was a coffe shop, cough, that had a Pink Floyd theme.

Sounds like Heaven to me.

**Fragony** · 05-30-2008, 07:34

If you aren't looking for the sex and drugs you probably won't even notice it's there. Plenty to do for the normal tourist, just go out and explore that's the best way to see Amsterdam.

Originally Posted by Hax

Worst country you're coming to then. We have no history before 1500..

que?

**Hax** · 05-30-2008, 15:44

Worst country you're coming to then. We have no history before 1500..

The Netherlands.

It has virtually no history before 1500 =D

**Fragony** · 05-30-2008, 16:34

Originally Posted by Hax

The Netherlands.

It has virtually no history before 1500 =D

Just because the netherlands as a country didn't exist before that doesn't mean the place didn't. History galore here, my town is probably +/- 4000 years old. Was called differently of course.

**Geoffrey S** · 05-30-2008, 18:43

Well, it's pretty much undeniable that the vast majority of the historic attractions in the Netherlands date from 1500-1900. Some nice Roman ruins around, too.

**Whacker** · 05-30-2008, 20:52

Originally Posted by Geoffrey S

Well, it's pretty much undeniable that the vast majority of the historic attractions in the Netherlands date from 1500-1900. Some nice Roman ruins around, too.

Do elaborate please.

**Fragony** · 05-30-2008, 21:23

Originally Posted by Geoffrey S

Well, it's pretty much undeniable that the vast majority of the historic attractions in the Netherlands date from 1500-1900. Some nice Roman ruins around, too.

Well yeah most popular tourist atractions but not the history, mucho buildings from +/- 1200 if you know where to look, naturally most are gone but many of the dutch city have been very well preserved.

@Whacker, if you happen to visit Amersfoort beer's on me, one of the older towns here and certainly one of the best looking.

**Conradus** · 05-30-2008, 21:23

Originally Posted by Fragony

Just because the netherlands as a country didn't exist before that doesn't mean the place didn't. History galore here, my town is probably +/- 4000 years old. Was called differently of course.

Most of the Netherlands wasn't even land before 1000 AD ;)
You were still getting it back from the sea

**Geoffrey S** · 05-31-2008, 06:38

Originally Posted by Fragony

Well yeah most popular tourist atractions but not the history, mucho buildings from +/- 1200 if you know where to look, naturally most are gone but many of the dutch city have been very well preserved.

Such as? Most cities now barely even existed back around 1200 - urban growth mainly took place in the 14th century, and the vast majority of what is left is from after that date.

Perhaps the odd fort, or castle? I really wouldn't know.

**Fragony** · 05-31-2008, 09:40

Hmmm you are probably right, 1200 is too far back around 1400 sounds about right. Dieventoren here is from 1250 I believe, but that is indeed rather rare.