Amsterdam Master Thread

[@Yehuda]

Sorry, the holiday inn express in south Amsterdam is the hotel we are staying at, not the one in the center of the city.

I stayed at that hotel 4 years ago and walked to a chabad 5 minutes away on the street with all the restaurants. (This was weekday, not Shabbos.)

[@Yehuda]

Any Minyanim near the city center?

Also anyone ever do a Jewish history tour?
Besides the museum

And if so can you recommend any?

Yes for Minyanim. See the wiki on the Destinations with shuls near points hotels. There are a few shuls in town.

[shaulyaakov]

Sorry, the holiday inn express in south Amsterdam is the hotel we are staying at, not the one in the center of the city.

You're close to many shuls, and all the restaurants to get takeout if needed.

[shaulyaakov]

Yes for Minyanim. See the wiki on the Destinations with shuls near points hotels. There are a few shuls in town.

Portuguese is most likely the closest; be aware they request you register in advance. It is a fantastic experience, especially if you do the tour before Shabbos to get a sense of the history and all the cool things that are built in. They use a unique Nussach, even slighly different than other S&P places - their Nussach is probably most similar to the Ashkenazi "Nussach Sefard" as opposed to Eidut Mizrach. And they pepper in some Ladino into the MiSheBerachs, which is fun.

There's another shul in the VondelPark area (Rav Aharon Schuster).

[moish]

Also anyone ever do a Jewish history tour?
Besides the museum

I downloaded a Jewish History audio tour which I didnt get around to doing in the end

[shaulyaakov]

I downloaded a Jewish History audio tour which I didnt get around to doing in the end

I didn't do a tour; however, the Jewish Historical Quarter ticket gets you into 4 places - Jewish museum, Portuguese, Holocaust memorial, and Holocaust museum. I did 3/4 of those (didn't do Holocaust museum), and I thought it was a good overview. I also did Anne Frank. I think all of that together really gave a good overview of everything, and together that's probably 1-1.5 days worth of activities, depending on your pace.

[Kabrams1618]

Is it cheaper and more convenient to buy tickets for  activities online  before we go or can you get discount coupons to attractions from the hotel etc?  We are staying at the intercontinental.  We already bought tickets for Anne Frank since we know that can sell out.

[ludmila]

Is it cheaper and more convenient to buy tickets for  activities online  before we go or can you get discount coupons to attractions from the hotel etc?  We are staying at the intercontinental.  We already bought tickets for Anne Frank since we know that can sell out.

We got discounted coupons from hotel, that was 2 years ago, at a better price than online.

[shaulyaakov]

Is it cheaper and more convenient to buy tickets for  activities online  before we go or can you get discount coupons to attractions from the hotel etc?  We are staying at the intercontinental.  We already bought tickets for Anne Frank since we know that can sell out.

Depending on how long you're staying, either the IAMsterdam card or the Museuamcaart could be a good move.

IAMsterdam card has unlimited metro (which you need from IC), entry to selected activities, and a canal tour. I think they have versions from 1-5 days.

The Museumcaart is good as basically every museum in the Netherlands for a month, but doesn't have the other perks. You can only buy it at select museums.

Regardless, for certain things, you'll want to book a timed tour in advance - specifically Hieneken and Van Gogh (both recommended activities).

[Kabrams1618]

Still looking for shul in south Amsterdam for  this shabbat.  Tried reaching out to chabad several times but didnt hear back.  Any recommendations? Any shul with dinner or kiddush?  Staying at HIE.

[shiframeir]

Just FYI, i'm going for thanksgiving from NY, and i just noticed a good price drop. roundtrip direct on low cost norwegian leaving early Nov 22 (midnight) and returning sunday afternoon is $372 total, which is the lowest i've seen. norwegian doesnt look terrible, pay a bit more for a kosher meal and choosing seat if u want.

[moish]

Just FYI, i'm going for thanksgiving from NY, and i just noticed a good price drop. roundtrip direct on low cost norwegian leaving early Nov 22 (midnight) and returning sunday afternoon is $372 total, which is the lowest i've seen. norwegian doesnt look terrible, pay a bit more for a kosher meal and choosing seat if u want.

Or book through a TA and get all that plus 2 suitcases for free

HT: @Chaikel

[J-town]

Which (if any) of the following hotels have easily accessible steps that can be used on shabbos?
1) The W
2) Apollo (Tribute Portfolio Hotel)
3) Amsterdam Marriott Hotel
4) Andaz
5) Hyatt Regency

[Kabrams1618]

Holiday inn express in south Amsterdam is the way to go if you are flexible on where you stay.  Kosher breakfast, stairs, non electric keys, totally shabbat aware.

[davidmal]

Which (if any) of the following hotels have easily accessible steps that can be used on shabbos?
1) The W
2) Apollo (Tribute Portfolio Hotel)
3) Amsterdam Marriott Hotel
4) Andaz
5) Hyatt Regency

The Hyatt regency and intercontinental are walking distance to Chabad.

Wasn’t there for Shabbos sorry.

[mgarfin]

Is the Spanish Portuguese Shul a place ill be able to davin on a stopover in the AM i have in Amsterdam?

[shaulyaakov]

Is the Spanish Portuguese Shul a place ill be able to davin on a stopover in the AM i have in Amsterdam?

They only have minyan sat and sun.

[shaulyaakov]

Which (if any) of the following hotels have easily accessible steps that can be used on shabbos?
1) The W
2) Apollo (Tribute Portfolio Hotel)
3) Amsterdam Marriott Hotel
4) Andaz
5) Hyatt Regency

Regency is out of the eruv. It strikes me as better than the Andaz but I was only there weekday.

 I was at Andaz for shabbos. They have steps down but you'd need to ask someone to open the door to get back up. The steps let out outside the hotel. There's a manual door to the bar if it's open. It's in the eruv.   The rooms are also quite electric. It took us some time with the engineer to get everything shabbos proof. They also lent us Shabbos timers for the lights that were helpful. We asked them to help us in elevator for the most part.

[kopite1]

I am staying for one night in early October at the Novotel Amsterdam City. Are there any kosher options within walking distance?

Also, anything kosher at Schiphol?

TIA

[@Yehuda]

I am staying for one night in early October at the Novotel Amsterdam City. Are there any kosher options within walking distance?

Also, anything kosher at Schiphol?

TIA

See wiki for restaurant options + Gmaps to see distance to your hotel.