Traveling Solo to Amsterdam, Please help

[violet156]

Hello everyone,

I will be traveling to Amsterdam in March of '08 by myself and I am a little apprehensive. I have traveled alone before, and frankly I prefer it, however my main concern is finding an appropriate hostel/area of the city. I do smoke and I want to go somewhere that is smoker-friendly but I do not want to be in the middle of the red light district. I think I will probably visit the infamous district, but staying there for 2 weeks might be a bit much. I love clubbing/dancing/barhopping (and I am yet to find a city that does it better than New York ) I would like to meet "cool, interesting" people, but I hate euro destinations overrun with drunk American frat boys.

I am currently in the process of rummaging through the multitude of information on AMS online. I stayed in Liecester Square when I was in London and I had a lot of fun there because of the night life despite the ultra-touristy aspect of it, so that should give you some context.

I appreciate any help, thanks!

[soliteyah]

Hi there,

Amsterdam is an AMAZING city -- you'll have a great time! I believe a lot of the hostels are clustered near the central train station, which is near but not actually IN the Red Light District. (It's a very cool, trippy place to visit, though I think I agree I wouldn't want to stay there for two weeks!)

Have you checked out Hostelworld.com and Hostels.com? Both sites have reviews and ratings for their hostels, so you can sort of gauge how good the places are based on those.

I was only in Amsterdam very briefly so I didn't get much of a chance to check out the nightlife, but guidebooks like Let's Go and Rough Guides would probably have some pretty good information.

For what it's worth, I wrote a short trip report about my time in Amsterdam. You can find it here if you're interested.

Hope this helps get you started! Let us know how it all turns out.

[matty223]

Hello,
well ok almost anywerein the city center is touristy, maybe something in the Jordon area, or even better look into renting an Apartment for 2 weeks it might be cheaper and you cook, thats what i am planning on doing in March 9renting a studio with a balcony (might be to cold) but it right on a canal great view every morning and great shops all around, cant wait.

Peace Matt

[Traveling Granny]

Amsterdam is compact and easy to get around in so wherever you stay, you should not be terribly far from the night life. There are some inexpensive hotels that might suit your purposes about as well as a hostel and might feel safer to a young woman traveling alone. I have stayed at Hotel Di-Ann which is located on Raadhuistraat by the Herengracht. In fact, our room had a little balcony overlooking the canal. It was March and a bit chilly but still the atmosphere was charming. The hotel was inexpensive and the owner/manager (not sure of his title) smoked so you should be okay on that point. Just a few doors down the street is Hotel Nadia which was a bit less expensive. The location is just to the west of Dam Square. We were three middle-aged women more interested in the art galleries and historical/cultural sights than in the night life, but the hotel is within easy walking distance of the red light district and the hotel is on the streetcar line with a stop close by if you want to go to more distant areas of the city.

I would add a cautionary note about the area around the train station. The son of one of my friends on this trip spent about a year traveling around the world when he was in his early 20s and the only trouble he had was being mugged by the train station in Amsterdam. I don't believe that Amsterdam is any more dangerous than any other city of comparable size, but train station areas seem to be prime locations for, if not muggings, then pickpocketing because travelers arrive tired and perhaps still trying to get their bearings in a strange city. Of course, you have to be alert and use common sense (I think this young man let his guard down), but for a young woman traveling alone, you may want to seek out a part of the city where such incidents are less likely to occur.

Amsterdam is a great city with many features to enjoy. We also liked some excursions to the countryside and to other cities. The train makes it very easy to get around so don't take my warning about the train station to mean anything derogatory about their train service. Good luck with your planning and have a good time.

[j77]

I've been living in Amsterdam for a couple of years now -- if you want to see the best of it, stay out of the Red Light District (except only for visits to say you've seen it... ;-))


afaic, the best bars lie in De Pijp (area just SE of the museums)
. This is where you'll find all the young Dutch kids -- bars pretty much stretch along Ferdinand Bolstraat and from Heinekenplein through to Gerard Douplein (I assume you have multimap here...) -- very good bars here on Eerste van der Helststraat.

The other good part of the city is at the North end of Prisengracht -- nice bars where it hits Leliegracht.

For food, check out the areas around the bars in De Pijp -- I don't think the food in Centrum does the Dutch justice, particularly w.r.t. all the multiculturism that's here.

I hope this didn't sound too snobbish... I'm not saying don't go to the RDL -- it's just there are much nicer, friendlier and cooler places to be :-)

Places to stay... the Bicycle Hotel on van Ostadestraat's nice -- soem of my friends have stayed there. Or look for offers on the NH hotels... Also, the Sarphati Hotel on Sarphatipark in the middle of the Pijp has just had a refit and looks nice and fresh from the outside...

And, like it says above, Amsterdam's pretty tiny, so wlka around a lot, see it all... even better... HIRE A BIKE! :-D

[NYCBLUE]

Hey Violet

My friend and i rented this place for 2 weeks in late March/ April.

Contact: amsterdamrental@aol.com


NYCBLUE

Originally Posted by violet156

Hello everyone,

I will be traveling to Amsterdam in March of '08 by myself and I am a little apprehensive. I have traveled alone before, and frankly I prefer it, however my main concern is finding an appropriate hostel/area of the city. I do smoke and I want to go somewhere that is smoker-friendly but I do not want to be in the middle of the red light district. I think I will probably visit the infamous district, but staying there for 2 weeks might be a bit much. I love clubbing/dancing/barhopping (and I am yet to find a city that does it better than New York ) I would like to meet "cool, interesting" people, but I hate euro destinations overrun with drunk American frat boys.

I am currently in the process of rummaging through the multitude of information on AMS online. I stayed in Liecester Square when I was in London and I had a lot of fun there because of the night life despite the ultra-touristy aspect of it, so that should give you some context.

I appreciate any help, thanks!

[matty223]

NYCBLUE, i leave on the 26th of March for a week

[NYCBLUE]

Hey Matt

I sent the address in the 1st reply, its> amsterdamrental@aol.com

All u have to do is contact the owner and ask if any rental is available.

The place i rent was a one bedroom house with yard, 10 min from the center.

Its its nice, clean & quiet. The longer u wait u have less of a chance finding a place for under 90eurs. I have retented an apartment before and had to pay
security deposit, water.
I this place ,there is no extra charge unless u damage or break something.

U pay upon arrival, this way u know what u get. U get pics of the place

Nycblue

[foren83]

Wow I've read your trip report...awesome!

I'd like to share this info I've found Here:

Start your perfect day in Amsterdam at the Spui, which is located half way through the Kalverstraat.And enjoy the amazing Art Market there located. Pick up some bread rolls at Broodje van Kootje�, buy a newspaper from the Atheneaum magazine shop, and take a seat, if the weather is good. If it happens to be a rainy day, there are lots of other very nice coffee bars situated around the Spui as well. After having a hearty breakfast you'll be ready for some serious stuff. If you jump on tram 2 or 5, which pass through the Spui regularly, you can make your way to the Museumplein. Here you are spoiled for choice with all the different kinds of museums. Firstly, there is The Van Gogh Museum, which holds a lot of the artist's greatest works, as well as works from various other acclaimed artists. Just next to the Van Gogh there is the Stedelijk Museum. This houses a collection of modern art and features numerous expeditions throughout the year. Leaving these two behind you, make your way towards the last museum, The Rijks Museum. This is quite a large museum and could take some time to get around, but it is worth it. Art dates from the 12th century and there is a superb collection of Dutch masters, including the Nachtwacht, by Rembrandt.



And here I've Found some good info to find adventure tours in Amsterdam by Bike:

Rent out a bike for the day and see the Dutch capital on its most popular mode of transport. Cycle along the Jordaan’s charming canals before making your way over to the Pijp. If you’re looking to pick up something for yourself, visit the Albert Cuypmarkt market. If you don’t buy anything for yourself you can at least feast from the various stalls.

In the afternoon visit the third of Amsterdam’s best-known museums – the Van Gogh Museum. Documenting the life and times of the Dutchman, it gives a fascinating insight into the prolific artist’s life.

No trip to Amsterdam is complete without visiting its infamous Red Light District. You may not want to spend the night here, but you should definitely grace it with your presence at some stage.



Hope this is helpful!!

[Abraham]

As far as Western cities go, Amsterdam is one of the safer ones. I've wandered around there by myself and, in spite of the number of people trying to sell you "things" on the street, it doesn't carry a threatening atmosphere.