We are off to Amsterdam (with a few day trips to Belgium) in April/May. Going to be in Amsterdam for Queens Day. Any suggestions on things to do, places to see, etc?

Additionally, we will spend 12/29-1/3/6 in Aruba. Anyone ever been there? Thoughts? Suggestions?

THANKS!

I LOVE AMSTERDAM! I WANNA GO BACK! I went for 8 days in 2000 and left the day before Queen's Day (headed right to the Millenium March in D.C.) But it was beautiful. Just looking at the canals at night with the lights bouncing off the water was amazing. Of course there's the Rijksmusejm (sp?) and Anne Frank House, but you have to check out Boom Chicago. It's a play put on my Americans, and it's hysterical. www.boomchicago.nl

It was funny for me walking around the Red Light District and having women (ewwww) look at me from their windows in hope I would plunk down some $$$$

There is a town called Lisse not too far away, you can take a train there from Centraal Station, you can walk around a garden and see amazing flowers. But for me, the ride there was fantastic. Looking out the window of the train you saw pastures and pastures of decorated fields, the colors are beautiful.

Where are you staying?

Thanks for the info.

We are staying at The Renaissance. I have my orange sweatshirt ready for the big day!

...what are, Places Where I'd Rather Be Than at Work Right Now? wink

Amsterdam is really a very very friendly beautiful remarkable place. San Francisco of Europe in many ways. I am sure you will love it. I want to go back someday.

Pewter..

I have been to Amsterdam (6 times), Belgium AND Aruba - hey, I'm in corp. travel..what can I say?! So feel free to drop me an email with any questions.

If you only go to one place in Belgium, let it be Bruges <or Brugges or Brugge .. it seems to have 100 different ways to spell it>. It is SO much more interesting than Brussels <I found Brussels to be quiet and kind of sleepy>. Bruges on the other hand, is very very charming, cute and quaint. It's small and you walk all over - although you will see most locals on their bikes. Like Amsterdam, canals run throughout the town. I was there in the fall, when the leaves were turning and it was stunningly beautiful.

You will have a blast in Amsterdam, SO much to see and do. Do you know where you are staying there? There is a very interesting gay walking tour that I would recommend. We learned some very interesting facts on the history of being gay in Amsterdam and how the city evolved into the 'open' city that it's become. I would suggest a canal tour as well. Yes, it's very touristy, however it is a great way <especially after walking all over> to sit back and enjoy the sites and amazing architecture. On this tour you will also learn why houses were built 'up' <narrow> rather than wide.

As for Aruba, you simply can't go wrong. It is out of the hurricane belt so rain is a rarity - instead it is windy, very dry and very desert-like. Be prepared for quite, relaxing beach time. And you simply MUST do the parasailing there, it is the best!

In Amsterdam we are staying at The Renaissance. I understand that it's close to everything.

We are going to Antwerp, my partners company is based there, and will go to Bruges from there then back to Amsterdam. Can you see Bruges in a day?

Thanks!

Oh the Renaissance is a good choice, I have stayed there before. It's a nice 4-star hotel (part of the Marriott chain) and could not be in a better location - in between Central Rail station and Dam Square (just a few blocks each way). The trams run every few minutes too, so getting around is quite easy. Although you are in such a good location, you can easily walk to Dam Square, Leidesplein, Rembrandt House, Royal Palace, Anne Frank House, Red Light district <it is so bizarre to stumble across one of those little alleys where the prostitutes are sitting in a little room, on display>. Be sure though to pop in one of those Dutch bakeries too, goes so well with european coffee -- Mmmmmm.

Bruges is a great day trip. It's so small you can see all of it within a single day. You can take a canal cruise, visit the diamond house, hit a museum or two, visit the Minnewater (at the entrance to Bruges). The Minnewater is a canalized lake, great panoramic views over the town - you will also see beautiful swans everywhere. Our Lady's church is an interesting architectural find also. They started construction about midway through the 13th century and it took them until the end of the 15th century to complete. The style varies from late Romanesque style over Scheldt-Gothic to French Gothic. Furthermore, in the 18th century Our Lady was transformed into a more contemporary style. The tower is the highest in the city. And finally, you must sit at one of the outdoor cafes in the town square. Great place to relax <more European coffee> and people watch, there were street entertainers when I was there also.

Sounds GREAT! Thanks man!

My partner works in the diamond field. We are going to go to a diamond mine in Antwerp. Your suggestions are very helpful.

Have you ever been to Queens Day?

I was in Amsterdam for Queens Day in 1999, it was a blast....one big party. You will have so much fun - be prepared for huge crowds though - and bring orange, the Dutch fancy their orange shirts on Queens Day.
Also, there is no sales tax on April 30th for anything sold on the street. It is like a huge flea market, people setting up tables in front of their houses - the restaurants and cafes open up special stands on the sidewalk.

Queen's Day lasts more than one day. A few days before the end of April the city workers begin putting up fences to protect grassy and park areas from the hordes of visitors. Workers put up advertising banners, balloons, vender stands, and stages for bands to play over canals.

And look for all the private party boats on the canals. Many of them will have loud music playing over their steroes, mostly techno-rave music - but also some traditional stuff. You will have a musical party experience you'll never forget.

My partner and I leave Tuesday for Sydney, our 1st Gay Mardis Gras. We've been to Sydney before, but never over Mardis Gras...so if anybody has any suggestions for us , it would also be appreciated. :-)

48 hours until we are on our way to Europe!!

Thanks for all the input on Amsterdam and Brussels. We will be taking day trips to Brugge (thanks to the input from you) and Antwerp.

Anyone ever had the shrooms in Amsterdam? What was the experience like? How many do you eat? Anymore suggestions / ideas?

What section in Amsterdam are the hash bars? I want some. Is Cafe Fix still open? I'm going for Pride on August 6th.

From the looks of things the hash bars are ALL OVER Amsterdam. I hope we are able to find a gay bar that involves everything but sex. It looks like sex can be had at all of em.