Topic Wiki

How long should I go for?

Minimum 8 hours is a starter. Perfect for a full day.

Where to stay:
Andaz
Waldorf Astoria
Holiday Inn Express (provides Mehadrin breakfast)
W
Element
Marriot

What to do:
Walk through the market and see the flowers and all other sorts of touristy stuff

Visit the Spanish Portuguese Shul - http://www.portugesesynagoge.nl/eng

Visit Anne Frank's Museum - http://www.annefrank.org/en/Museum/

Take a boat ride on the canals

Heiniken Museum (mixed reviews) - http://www.heineken.com/Heineken-Experience/Heineken-Experience

Van Gogh Museum - http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/nl

Rijksmuseum - https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en

Maritime Museum ( great for kids also)

Take 1.5 hr train to Antwerp

Minyanim:

Restaurants and Supermarkets:

Meat

Meat Me

HaCarmel

Sal-Meijer sandwich shop - http://www.sal-meijer.com/english/index.php CLOSED FOR GOOD

Golan

Grand cafe Rimon - http://rimongrandcafe.nl/menu.html

Marcus - butcher - http://www.slagerijmarcus.nl/kosher/

Milk

Pizza & Co

Mouwes - Supermarket - http://www.mouwes.nl/

Rimon Deli – Bakery and Supermarket - info@laromme.nl

David's Corner - Supermarket - www.davidscorner.nl

Trip Reports, notes and reviews:
Dan
jj1000     
mguy
moish
penina
@yehuda
DDFB
jungle
boruch
« Last edited by rangersin4 on May 29, 2023, 03:30:01 PM »

Author Topic: Amsterdam Master Thread  (Read 201642 times)

Offline Emkay

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #320 on: June 16, 2016, 10:17:14 AM »
Oh wow, nice job! That's a bit of a shame, though.
As per there site they are reopening in new location.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #321 on: June 16, 2016, 10:18:02 AM »
As per there site they are reopening in new location.
Nice

Offline David1

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #322 on: June 16, 2016, 11:01:27 AM »
+1 We loved the pizza there, and did not like HaCarmel. If we go back, we'd try HaBaron. Sal Meijer was okay/good. Didn't think it was as special as others make it out to be. Definitely a good option in town as opposed to by the Jewish community.
Most people here favored Habaron for meat and Pizza and Co for milk.

Great ok I will try both if i can.

Offline David1

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #323 on: June 16, 2016, 11:14:19 AM »
Oh wow, nice job! That's a bit of a shame, though.
Currently closed as per the wiki. (That I hastily put together )

This is as per their facebook page: "We have found a new location for Sal Meijer, the permits applied for and are now awaiting a positive response from the municipality. As soon as the permits have been granted, can we start with the remodel and expect than at the end of September beginning of October to re-open.
Warmest greetings. Sal Meijer team!"

Offline lamscott

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #324 on: June 17, 2016, 03:37:03 PM »
Has anybody been to the Nike Outlet in Amsterdam?How is it?

Offline chevron

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #325 on: June 18, 2016, 11:03:00 PM »
so where should I stay? for 6 days, no idea why my trip is so long ugh.. i must have been smoking the ganja when i booked.

The best western near chabad / food good ?

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #326 on: June 19, 2016, 01:42:48 PM »
so where should I stay? for 6 days, no idea why my trip is so long ugh.. i must have been smoking the ganja when i booked.

The best western near chabad / food good ?
If you want to stay in the community, the Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam South is a 5 minute walk from Chabad and the restaurants and has Kosher items for breakfast.

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #327 on: July 03, 2016, 11:08:54 AM »
Just noticed that although I was charged, I never received my conformation email or ticket for Anne Frank for tomorrow. If I go anyways is there anyone there to possibly talk to without waiting on the large ticket line?

Offline Emkay

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #328 on: July 06, 2016, 03:31:21 PM »
I concede that a TR will not be forthcoming so I wrote up a couple brief lines about my quick trip to Amsterdam a couple days ago.


Getting around.
Walk, its beautiful.
There are car lanes in the bike paths.
Taxis drivers drive cars, cool people drive Vespas, everyone else rides a bike.
Taxis from the airport are a thieving 50€ each way. Avoid the highway robbery and pre-book for a third of that.

Andaz Hotel.
Wonderfully quirky, from the most unconventionally designed hotels I have been in. 
I would rate it a minimum 8/10. Only negative I had was lack of view.
Great Central location, 20 min from the airport and 5-20 minute walk to all activities and attractions.


Food.
Pizza and Co is a pizza store, its a pizza store with good pizza, but it's a pizza store, it also doesn't take CC so it's a decent pizza store that doesn't take CC.
HaBaron is right next door to the pizza store and the small kosher grocery. Small and basic menu but remarkably  phenomenal food. They take CC and charge for water.

Activities.
Rijksmuseum is a vast collection of art in a vast building with a vast amount of humans.  Even if you despise art, paintings, and history there is still enough to keep you occupied for at least 9 minutes - taking into account a 3 minute bathroom break.

Anne Frank House was underwhelming and over-hyped. Blows my mind that people wait on line for 3 hrs to get in there. I guess when the book is mandatory reading for every student worldwide it holds plants interest and is intriguing to some. Viewing the wraparound line was a better use of my time. Buy tickets in advance or skip it.

Portuguese Synagogue is nice for a quick visit. A lot of info packed in there.

Heineken Experience was surprisingly interesting and fun. It's the first time I remember that it actually took me the full recommended time (1 1/2 hrs) to walk through it all. it baffles my puny mind every time I go to an attraction where people took the time to research and determine they wanted to do it but not to pre-book tickets. It isn't rocket science.

There are boat tours on every corner, no need to prebook. Easier than booking a cab or ordering a gourmet stain of cannabis.

Overview.
Amsterdam
Is crowded like NYC - but not quite.
Locals are outgoing and  friendly like the Irish - but not quite.
Has canals and is romantically charming like Venice - but not quite.
Has quaint and picturesque designed streets and buildings like Prague - but not quite.
Overall a wonderful choice for a shortish vacation of one to 3 days. Unless your an art snob in which case you should only buy a one way ticket.
 

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #329 on: July 07, 2016, 09:00:27 AM »
I thought Anne Frank was very moving, and I never finished the book, but I agree that I would never stand in line for hours to see it. I gotta do Heinekin on the next trip.

It's "not quite" any of those places but it sure is beautiful in its own right, and partially because it combines the "not quites" of those places all in one place...

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #330 on: July 07, 2016, 09:53:21 AM »
It's "not quite" any of those places but it sure is beautiful in its own right, and partially because it combines the "not quites" of those places all in one place...
Exactly, to have all those feelings and sights in one place makes it special in it's own right. And the canals are cooler than Venice because you can paddle boat on them. And the buildings are better kept and every stone is perfectly painted which is better than Prague. And the people are way nicer than NYC and the air is clean. Etc.
See my 5 step program to your left <--

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Offline Dave321

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #331 on: December 15, 2016, 10:32:23 AM »
is Pizza & Co. cholov yisroel? also any bakeries worth buying from?

Offline Emkay

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #332 on: December 15, 2016, 10:35:36 AM »

Offline Dave321

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #333 on: December 15, 2016, 10:40:51 AM »
is it worth taking a tour guide or winging it myself?
http://www.easyrider-amsterdam.co.il/package/%D7%94%D7%97%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%A9%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%AA-%D7%9C%D7%98%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%98%D7%99%D7%99%D7%9D/

also can i get my bags checked all the way to israel or do i need to take them out at the airport?

Ann frank house has no more tickets for my dates. any way to still get without waiting an hour plus on line?

Offline Emkay

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #334 on: December 15, 2016, 10:42:48 AM »
is it worth taking a tour guide or winging it myself?
http://www.easyrider-amsterdam.co.il/package/%D7%94%D7%97%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%A9%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%AA-%D7%9C%D7%98%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%98%D7%99%D7%99%D7%9D/

also can i get my bags checked all the way to israel or do i need to take them out at the airport?

Ann frank house has no more tickets for my dates. any way to still get without waiting an hour plus on line?
I have no idea how your flying to be able to answer that.
No need for a guide.
Tickets open up, when are you looking for?

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #335 on: December 15, 2016, 10:55:04 AM »
the Spanish Portuguese Shul, the english site doesnt seem to be working. do I need a ticket to go in? are there tours or self guided.

Offline yg99

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #336 on: December 15, 2016, 12:52:10 PM »
You get a ticket by the front door. Self guided tour. If I remember correctly, there's an audio guide.

Offline BrooklynCPA

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #337 on: February 07, 2017, 10:13:55 AM »
We are a group of 45 People of all ages that will be in Amsterdam on a 23 hour stopover in April.  We are arriving 10 AM and leaving 9:20 AM the following morning. We will probably stay at the new airport Hilton since we can easily walk to the Terminal for our AM flight and save time. We will have a coach bus for the day that will pick us up at the airport, take us around and end off at a restaurant and back to the hotel in the evening.  We will also have a tour guide.

We plan on visiting the Ann Frank House, a private Canal Boat Ride, City Center (flower market),  and Portuguese Synagogue.
I would appreciate advice and experience on the following.

1.   Would it be possible to also visit the Heineken Experience or is it too much.

2.   It seems like the best dining experience is the Sandwich Shop although it’s not the classiest since it’s unique to Amsterdam and we can go to a nice restaurant anywhere.  Do people agree and if so can they accommodate a large group.

3.   Are there restaurants or pizza shops that would prepare an early lunch for our group and possibly deliver it to the canal boat or bus?


Offline BrooklynCPA

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #338 on: February 07, 2017, 12:39:20 PM »
This is as per their facebook page: "We have found a new location for Sal Meijer, the permits applied for and are now awaiting a positive response from the municipality. As soon as the permits have been granted, can we start with the remodel and expect than at the end of September beginning of October to re-open.
Warmest greetings. Sal Meijer team!"


Does anyone know if they re-opened?

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Re: Amsterdam Master Thread
« Reply #339 on: February 08, 2017, 08:39:30 PM »
You should walk around a few of the streets, but seeing the flower market is overrated IMO. Thought it was much more of a way to pass through to get to the next street rather than a stop in and of itself. You can also tour the Jewish museum (which I think covers the cost of the Synagogue) but it wasn't too exciting. Not sure how long Heineken takes, so I can't comment, but if you have reservations for Anne Frank, then your activities you've listed should take 5-6 hours probably, so you might have time for Heineken.

Sal Meijer was good, but I wouldn't say it was amazing that you must go there (unless trying to save money versus going to one of the steakhouses). Pizza & Co was great pizza, but it's super small and don't know if they do deliveries.