Welcome to
Ermelo, Netherlands + Add a trip
- Not far from: Lelystad, Leusden-Centrum, Putten, Dronten, Nunspeet, Harderwijk, Barneveld, Nijkerk
Local time is 5:48am. Map and information at Geonames - Travel information at WikiTravel.org
Tips for Amsterdam
Amsterdam is 30 miles from Ermelo-
Robert suggestsClub 11 (closed)
Added December 17th 2007Oosterdokskade 5 (PostCS building)
Best view over Amsterdam on the 11th floor of the old postal building. Has about 12 screens projecting cool arty video stuff.
Unfortunately as of Juli 2008, this club is closed :( There are talks about a new club by the same owners, but no official word yet...
www.ilove11.nl -
Adam suggestsBest Indonesean Food in Amsterdam
Added December 4th 2007Utrechtstraat
Not many people go to the Netherlands for the food, and I always try to stop in on Tempoe Doeloe a great Indonesean spot on Utrecht Straat when I'm in Amsterdam. I think they have only about 10 tables, so you may want to make a reservation.
One day I went in there (a few years back) and was surprised to be seated next to Gwyneth Paltrow and the members of Coldplay! It didn't seem that the staff of the restaurant knew who they were...
www.tempodoeloerestaurant.nl -
Bas suggestsLive music
Added February 13th 2008Everywhere
Amsterdam gets frequently visited by interesting bands from all over the world. The centre has two good places, De Melkweg and Paradiso (situated in a nice old church, this is sometimes called the Temple of Pop). Both are a 1 minute walk from Het Leidseplein.
If you are into gigs and have an evening off, do check out MyGigs.org to see who's on stage in and around Amsterdam.
mygigs.org -
Matt suggestsLatei: coffee and retro bric-a-brac
Added January 5th 2008Zeedijk 143
Just off the Nieuwmarkt and not too far from Centraal station, Latei is a nice place for a quiet coffee and a bit of free wifi. It feels a bit like someone's livingroom, and the walls and ceilings are covered in imported retro light fittings, telephones and other household curios (most of which are for sale too).
www.latei.netIt's one of the tips for Picnic '08 -
Adam suggests
Good Thai Food in Amsterdam
Added December 4th 2007Between the Red Light District and the Central Station on Zeedijk 72- 74
I would definitely recommend Bird Thais Restaurant for those who enjoy Thai food.
www.thai-bird.nl -
james suggestsSunday Dim Sum: Oreintal City
Added March 3rd 2008Dam Straat
It's my current favourite for last 2 years. Freshest, and kinda busy but worth the wait. Remember to ask for a ticket. They then call out your number once a table is ready...
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Yasmina suggestsOkonomiyaki - Japanese Pancake World
Added March 26th 2008Jordaan
I always always go here when I am in Amsterdam... I love okonomiyaki and this small place is run by a lovely couple, Joachim and Sachiko... Great okonomiyaki to be had here :)
www.japanesepancakeworld.com -
Guy suggestsDe Engelbewaarder
Added March 23rd 2008Kloveniersburgwal 59
Very relaxed cafe for a beer. The food is excellent - make a reservation on weekends.
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Lilia suggestsRestaurant Tibet
Added January 14th 2008Lange Niezel 24
An ambient and tasty place close to the central station (in a middle of Red Light district :). If alone I always go for Tibetian tea and sizzling duck, but other dishes I shared with friends were good too. Budget-friendly.
maps.google.co.uk/... -
Matt suggestsHotel LLoyd
Added July 5th 2008east of central station
I thought this place was comfortable - though a tiny bit out of town (a good thing I think.) Ecclectic - 2-5 star rooms available in one hotel. You have to take the 26 tram for 5 mins from Central Station, but I think it is worth it and it is in a very cool area.
Close to Jamie Oliver's FIFTEEN restaurant.
www.lloydhotel.com
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Getting There
Automobiles
Parking is hellish. Everyone uses trams or a bicycle.
Planes
A taxi from the airport costs around €45. For the most laid-back ride into town, Ralph's taxi service offers a superior, leather-interiored TV-toting Merc (email ralph.q.s@worldonline.nl).
Trains
A 20-minute train from Schiphol airport to the city centre costs about €6 one-way.
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Local Knowledge
Dialing
Country code for the Netherlands: 31. Amsterdam: 20.
Reads
The Diary of Anne Frank; Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach; Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier.
Do go / Don't Go
Weekends are busy all year round, and September is a big time for conferences, so book ahead.
Cuisine
Hearty, rib-sticking Northern fare, as well as herring, smoked eel, and Indonesian rijsttafel ('rice table'), an army of small spicy dishes.
Taxis
There are ranks all over, but you can usually hail; tip ten per cent. Beware of unlicensed mini-cabs.
Tipping
The Dutch aren't big tippers; ten per cent is usually about right, and it's common to give the bartender a euro with every round.
Currency
Euro.
Packing
Bicycle clips; puncture kit; an open mind.
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Worth Doing
Arts
Van Gogh Museum (www.vangoghmuseum.nl), Rijksmuseum (www.rijksmuseum.nl), Stedelijk Modern Art Museum (www.stedelijk.nl).
And...
Go with the flow in restaurants - Dutch service can be very laid-back.
Shopping
For designer labels, go to PC Hooftstraat. We prefer the Nine Streets - a grid within the canal network that is packed with boutiques and curiosity shops. We love DOM on Spuistraat, for all kinds of items you never thought you needed. Spmrkt is a warehouse of all things retro and cool: books, fashion, furniture, art. Spiegelstraat is renowned for antiques. For markets, on Saturdays and Mondays head to Noordermarkt for organic food and bric-à-brac, or the bigger, touristier Waterlooplein market for second-hand clothes. Albert Cuypmarkt in the Pijp claims to be Europe's longest street market.
Viewpoint
Owing to topography and building-height restrictions, nothing is that high up, but your best shot is the café on the sixth floor of Metz department store on Leidsestraat.
Something
In April or May, take a drive out to the tulip fields and feast your eyes.
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Diary
30 April Queen's Day - the whole of Amsterdam is on holiday and the canals come alive. May National Cycling Day on the second Saturday sees thousands pedalling through town. August Classical concerts on the canals; Gay Pride, when the city is awash with revellers (www.amsterdampride.nl). 5 December St Nicholas Day kicks off the Christmas festivities.
