If you only had one free weekend on a business trip to Europe would you choose Amsterdam or Venice
I have a trip the two weeks before July 4th and need to decide.
Thanks in advance.
If you only had one free weekend on a business trip to Europe would you choose Amsterdam or Venice
I have a trip the two weeks before July 4th and need to decide.
Thanks in advance.
I been to both (about 10 years ago).
In Amsterdam there's all sorts of cool museums and shops. You can people-watch for hours, public transportation isn't too bad, and it just felt more interesting.
Venice was beautiful, IMO. I enjoyed just wandering down the narrow streets, checking out the little shops and restaurants.
Having to choose, I'd pick Amsterdam - just more to see and do. And they have canals there too :)
I've not been to Amsterdam (except Schipol), but I've been to Venice several times and found it rather underwhelming. Lots of tourists, overpriced mediocre food, and a strange feeling that the place isn't quite real, but merely the facade of a great old city kept alive only on the money of tourists. Maybe I just haven't found the real Venice yet, but I've not had the same sense in any of the other European cities I've visited.
Hilarious story by a very good friend on some of the, er, interesting aspects of Amsterdam:
http://wozeroff.com/?p=71
Lesley wrote: Hilarious story by a very good friend on some of the, er, interesting aspects of Amsterdam: http://wozeroff.com/?p=71
That pretty much summed up my 2 weeks there.
If you want a fun, cosmopolitan, modern, young place, do Amsterdam. If you feel like poking around a city with ridiculous amounts of history, do Venice.
I would honestly have a tough time choosing. I am a big music history buff, so going to Venice and sipping a Macchiato on a veranda across from where Gabrieli and Monteverdi composed such great works simply as a matter of daily employment for the Doges of the city - it trips my trigger. Then you realize that the Basilica in who's shadow you enjoy your coffee had be built, burned, and rebuilt by the 10th century. It was a church before the Constantinian Empire existed and brought Christianity to popularity. It was built 800 years before Shakespeare was born, and over 900 years before George Washington was born, and 650 years before Martin Luther brought about the Protestant Reformation... not to mention almost 1100 years before Martin Luther King Jr. was killed.
Then again, if I want to blow off some steam with some Hash and cheap hookers, Amsterdam is one fine place to let your freak flag fly.
curtis73 wrote: Then again, if I want to blow off some steam with some Hash and cheap hookers, Amsterdam is one fine place to let your freak flag fly.
I was under the impression they were clamping down on "drug tourism" as of late?
If you can ask the right questions, there are "friendlies" who are basically sellers who will hook you up. The government doesn't like it when people come visit just to get high, but there is little they can do about it. Last time I was there and bought some "recreation" the guy just said, "remember, we met at UCLA." The thought is, if anyone saw the transaction and wanted to question it, at least our stories would match. That was also 5 years ago.
Been to both and I'd pick Amsterdam "hands down"
I found Venice architecture and history to be nice and all, but after one day I was over it. I also found it super expensive, extremely crowded (like jam packed) and over all, underwhelming. Not to mention that I've found Italians to be pretty rude and unhelpful in tourist destinations.
Amsterdam has some really nice architecture, there's lots to see (yes, more than just hookers and pot) and there will be plenty to do for a weekend or more. (the same could not be said for venice) Its also cheaper, nicer, and has an awesome public transport system too.
Either way, I dont think you'll be disappointed with either decision.
Venice is a floating joke. A mall with architecture. I was over it after about 4 hours. Amsterdam can't be worse.
I can swing through Venice and spend time in Amsteradam. At least nab a geocache in both so I can see the sites.
Not one into drugs, but I do like to drink a bit. Might try some absinthe while I am there.
Good enough for Van Gogh...
My trip will be Amsterdam, Sweden, Italy, and Poland.
Not bad for 2 weeks.
Love Amsterdam. Easy to negotiate, fun, nice people, good food, plenty of history and "different" enough that just spending all day walking around never gets old.
2 really cool places we love there:
Spend your last night at CitizenM Hotel Schipol ultra futuristic hotel with crazy little space age rooms. Like living in an Apple product. Really, really fun and comfortable. And a walk from the airport in the morning.
For dinner one night in town w/ a nice walk built in try Japanese Pancake World. One of the only places outside Japan for okonomiyaki - big savory one plate meal pancake things. Tiny restaurant run by the 2 guys who are owners/chef/front of house. Sit at the counter by the grill and make friends w/ the chef. Memorable, great dinner.
(For Venice, do yourself a favor and go someplace else in Italy. Napoli if you like pizza, Firenze if you want to see some art. Go to Las Vegas to see Venice)
I like Amsterdam (and no, I don't smoke "stuff") but over the last 5-6 years it was very obvious that they're trying to pull a Guiliani and clean up the town to make it yuppie safe. That's a fairly new development, but it was very noticeable how quickly things changed. We stopped going there about 3 years ago.
My perspective might be slightly different - when I grew up, the Netherlands in general was one of the most liberal (in the "live and let live" sense, not the US political insult sense) countries in Europe and Amsterdam probably was the most liberal city in the country. That's changed a lot, and IMHO not for the better.
Nevertheless, there is tons of stuff to do - I can get lost in the Riksmuseum for a weekend alone, assuming that they finally finished the renovation. But even the exhibition that just showed the highlights of the collection is well worth visiting, as is the Rembrandt house. All that assumes of course that there is a certain interest in paintings and suchlike.
Oh, and if you like spicy food, they've supposedly got the best Indonesian food outside Indonesia.
I do like some spicy food.
When I am traveling I try to experience their culture. I enjoy food, drink and customs from other lands. I have no desire to be the "we do it this way in America" guy.
I find that not only rude, but very narrow minded. Not much fun if you ask me.
I have really enjoyed Japan and China. Hopefully this trip will be just as positive.
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