Amsterdam Travel Forum

Hello dear Vters,

My boss just told be yesterday that I have to pack and be sent to the Hague for 2 weeks starting 13th May next week. :-)

So this is a bit last minute. Love to hear from you guys as to what I should / can do during the weekends -

a) I have been to Amsterdam and the Hague so hoping to go to other NL cities which have a different twist.Day trip or overnite? Any suggestions ?

b) Is there any major festivals or events or exhibition during the two weeks of
13-26 May that I should not miss ?

c) I was also hoping to visit one of the Scandinavian countries during one weekend ( eg Copenhagen )

- is it easier to travel by air or by bus / train ?
- how long is the journey ?
- is it easier to visit Sweden or Norway compared to Copenhagen ?

d) I saw in one of the forum thread that Schipol airport is somewhat like Terminal 5 condition . Is that true and when does the holiday in NL starts and ends ?

e) If there is any nearby and easy to access European cities of countries worth considering other than Copenhagen please shout :-) . France is out of the question because it is part of my annual Pilgrimage.

Many many thanks

Kenny

Hello Kenny,

It's difficult to say anything about what you don't want to miss, because you didn't mention what you like. Maybe you can do that in a new posting. Here are a few events and festivals during that period:
18 May - World bookmarket in Amsterdam centre, 1000 stalls (private and commercial)
16-25 May - "Son Del Sur" Flamenco Festival - Brussel (B)
23-24 May - The Hague Jazz Festival - Den Haag (NL)
23-25 May - Venezuela Festival - Utrecht (NL)
25 May - Ortel Dunya Festival - Rotterdam (NL)

Have a nice time,
Selma

Hello Kenny,

It's difficult to say anything about what you don't want to miss, because you didn't mention what you like. Maybe you can do that in a new posting. Here are a few events and festivals during that period:
18 May - World bookmarket in Amsterdam centre, 1000 stalls (private and commercial)
16-25 May - "Son Del Sur" Flamenco Festival - Brussel (B)
23-24 May - The Hague Jazz Festival - Den Haag (NL)
23-25 May - Venezuela Festival - Utrecht (NL)
25 May - Ortel Dunya Festival - Rotterdam (NL)

Have a nice time,
Selma

Many thanks Selma ..that was fabulous tips ...what is the Ortel Dunya Festival ?

(Ortel) Dunya Festival, park at the Euromast Rotterdam, 25 May, between 13.00 till 22.00. Entrance is free, 220.000 visitors last year. Multicultural festival. Worldmusic, worldstory's, worlddance, short films (multicultural), worldfood. Examples: traditional and new music and dance from Turkey, Afrika, Brazil, Suriname, Spain, Cuba, Madagaskar, Portugal, Marocco, Holland, India, China, Balkan, South-Amerika, Indonesia, Taiwan, Haïtie, Ethiopia, Kaapverdië, Uruguay. See: http://www.dunya.nl/nl/programma

Another evenement: Pasar Malam Besar, Location: The Hague, Malieveld
www.pasasmalambesar.nl Date: 21 May - 1 June, 11.00-22.00. Euro: 11,50-14,00. For twelve days Asian culture and its global context are put in the spotlight on a 20,000 m2 festival site in The Hague. 260 Asian stalls, Asian music, Asian dance, Asian food.

international congres: Het Instrument, Jaarbeurs, Jaarbeursplein, Utrecht. 20 May-23 May, 9.30-16.00. 500 stalls about knowledge, technology and innovation for industry and science. Seminars, workshops, discussions. http://www.hetinstrument.nl/2008/en/

Selma

hi Kenny

I would recommend Antwerpen in Belgium for an alternate city to visit. It's beautiful and close, only 2 hours train ride.
Copenhagen is a good choice for a whole weekend but antwerpen could make for shorter trip.