Netherlands Hotels

As an often-traveling journalist I’m usually in transit in Amsterdam. Far too often I’ve found myself in Schipol airport for four or five hours between flights. Maybe, just maybe, that means enough time to check your carry-ons into an airport locker, jump on the train, race through the Rijksmuseum and then rush back in time for a connecting flight. Enough time that is, if I don’t stop very long to look at the paintings…. So when the Travel Channel asked me to come here and create a travel vignette about the city, I jumped at the chance. Slow down, they said. Try the food, talk to people, and ...

Check out these resources: DK Travel: Paris - http://traveldk.com/paris/shared-guides/paris-guide-145 Fodors - http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/trip-report---paris-brussels-amsterdam-and-london.cfm Fodors transportation - http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/route-by-boat-or-tain-paris-london-amsterdam-copenhagen-stockholm.cfm About.com - http://goeurope.about.com/od/suggesteditineraries/l/bl-northern-europe-itinerary.htm Weather check (historical) http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner/index.asp Check out these resorts: Resort option in middle of London, Ireland, Scotland, etc... ...

DAY 1 With so much to see and do in Amsterdam, it's often best to just point yourself toward a couple of major areas and wander the laneways and canals. A perfect starting point is Dam Square, the heart of the city. From here you're in spitting distance of the 15th-century Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), the stately Royal Palace, and hundreds of shops and cafes. From here, walk up to Centraal Station. You can cross over to Oosterdok and admire the cutting-edge architecture (especially Renzo Piano's design for the NEMO science museum), and take in the exhibits at the temporary relocated Stedelijk ...