Amsterdam Travel Answers

Yes you'll enjoy Amsterdam and it can be done relatively cheaply as the city is a pleasure to just wander. It is a very safe city and the Red Light district is certainly an experience - just don't buy anything from the touts! I'm a little bit over 21 and so don't know about that sort of nightlife but it certainly is a lively city and I'm sure you'll find something that suits you - Amsterdam has something for everyone. Enjoy!

Even little old ladies like me can safely walk through the Red Light district. Amsterdam is quite safe and can certainly be enjoyed on a budget. There is so much to see and enjoy.

My friend, (jennystravels) thought it would be a good idea to faint while we were walking through the red light district...so thats pretty much my only memory of that place, trying to get us out of there. Also it seemed like all roads led to the red light district,no matter what I was looking for, I always ended up back there somehow, lost and cofused again.

Amsterdam is a great choice! Have not heard about any safety issues. If you just want to visit out of curiousity I'd recommend taking Randy Roy's walking tour. Randy Roy is really Kimberly - and she's informative and funny. randyroysredlighttours.com/m... Just remember not to take any photos of the girls in the windows. Have a blast in Amsterdam!

Hey, you're 21. That should be part of your education! PJ

Agree with the others - Amsterdam is safe and I had no problems walking around and using public transpo (trams)...and there is more to Amsterdam than the Red Light District - canal tours and nearby towns and nearby countries! Easy to go to Paris and UK or even Belgium if you have extra train money to spare...you'll enjoy this place! I am also a fan of Schipol airport - one of the best in the world. However, in using the airport locker once I did find a whole ziploc bag of marijuana - unfortunately I don't do weed so I just threw it away! Greetings from AZ, Norman ;)

HeHe! - is there a Schiphol Airport fan club? It's my favourite too :)

Norman... you could have at least sold the Maryjane... and probably legally in Amsterdam. :-)

We have a VT page dedicated to Schiphol; have a look. There's also one for the Vondelpark (for hardcore Amsterdam fans). PJ

LOL, Zuriga! I should have sold that whole bag of marijuana!!! Hotel money maybe...but I do think we should form a Schipol Airport Fans Club where Vters can meet there (Pieter Jan V will be our main consultant)! It's a great gateway for Europe ...

I write about Schiphol quite frequently because that's my job. I've been there several times and find it very enjoyable. What I like most is the interesting ideas they come up with to entertain the travellers. This month there's been a mini-garden set up with beautiful flowers.

I have a reasonable Amsterdam page that explains some of the Red Light District do's and don'ts. You are safe there as long as you don't do hard drugs. Have a beer and walk around. You will see other guys - having a beer and walking around. The Police are helpful, just no drinking from glass outside. Plenty of museums for you to take photos for the cover story for family back home. We will never tell anyone. Have a great time.

I reckon a Schiphol VT meet should be done - I'm free in October? And of course we could go into town after ;)

New York CIty's Times Square, up until the 1990s, was our red light district, and it was anything BUT user-friendly. It was crime-ridden and infested with drug dealers and hookers. Amsterdam is the inverse. The "sex shops" are not shoulder-to-shoulder at all; I counted 6 of them over a distance of 4 or 5 long blocks. Imagine a red light district that is jolly and walkable! Unlike the old Times Square, there is no outdoor soliciting. I'm such a jaded New Yorker that I found the Dam's red light to be pretty tame! Now the avenue 1 or 2 blocks to the east is the one that is literally lined with bars and smoke (pot) shops. Signs will read "21 and over only." I walked all over Amsterdam at all hours and I did not feel threatened, even tho, as a native New Yorker, I could not refrain from looking over my shoulder! Force of habit.

Schiphol fanclub, Schiphol meet; all great ideas I support. I always take my time when departing to make some new pictures and see what the newest trends/changes are. On my return I limit my time as much as possible. Present record: 20 minutes from gate to train :) PJ