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Post by Ems&Beau on Jul 23, 2015 12:31:48 GMT
I am going to book a trip to Amsterdam in my van, I'll be getting the ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland. This is my first trip to Europe in my van so any tips would be appreciated. I was going to fly and book a hotel until I saw the price of hotels, its cheaper to pay more on the ferry and stay in the van (even on a campsite it works out cheaper).
I'll be going in October for 3-4 nights. I've googled Aires, do they have them in Holland? I can't really find much information on them. I realise to most of you this is a very small trip but I have to start somewhere and need to be confident with driving ont he wrong side, I've been over in a car and on a motorbike but the van has more blind spots!
I'm hoping to progress to a 2.5 week tour of France/Switzerland (Stevlio Pass) and Monaco next year, just starting small and was planning on Amsterdam anyway only by plane! I might even make it to France in November for a week all going well!
Any advice would be much appreciated, I'll be travelling alone without Beau!
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Post by Firefox on Jul 23, 2015 14:16:38 GMT
Make sure you check out the coffee shops in Amsterdam, I've heard the coffee is very good!
How old is your van - I have heard breakdown overseas and insurance for >10 year old vans can be pricey?
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Post by Ems&Beau on Jul 23, 2015 14:57:12 GMT
I'm sure I'll pop in to a coffee shop :-)
Mine is a 2001, we went over in a 10 year + old car a couple of years ago and just took out RAC cover, it wasn't too bad. I'm already a member with quite a high level of cover so I can just add it on I think. Hopefully after the repairs it will be reliable for a bit - fingers crossed! The garage complimented it, said they are good engines and nice and simple fuel system with not too many electronics :-)
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Post by robmac on Jul 24, 2015 5:31:56 GMT
Amsterdam is a great place. I have been there a few times.
Watch out for the trams (no big problem), some very good pubs. Fantastic architecture.
As for the coffee shops, they provide various menu's listing drugs and people openly smoke drugs in these places. Contrary to popular belief, this is illegal in the Netherlands, but they turn a blind eye to it. (Not that you would be interested in such practices Ems!).
The red light district is an eye opener, many Thai girls (or are they boys?) in Amsterdam when I was last there (for research purposes you understand), but it is a must see and part of Amsterdam culture.
Get used to having Mayo with your chips instead or as well as Ketchup, fast food is available everywhere, but of course there are excellent restaurants
Go for it Ems, you will love it. . Edit: Having re-read your post Ems, it sounds like you already know all of this, as you have been before by car/bike. But I will leave the post up as it may help somebody.
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Post by Haaamster on Jul 24, 2015 5:33:48 GMT
City Camp is very good, easy 10 min walk to a free ferry crossing right into the centre. www.amsterdamcitycamp.nlAs far as I know there are no Aires in Holland and i've been told many times the dutch frown on wilding and WILL fine you about 200 euros if they catch you. The other camping spots Gaaspar (best avoided unless you like concentration camps) and Zeeburg are both well outside the centre.
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Post by Ems&Beau on Jul 24, 2015 6:45:37 GMT
Thanks! I've been to Germany by car and bike before but not Amsterdam! I'm looking forward to it, I had found Gaaspar and Zeeburg campsites, I'll look at the city camp webpage - thanks.
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Post by Firefox on Jul 25, 2015 19:16:18 GMT
I have been to Amsterdam about 4 times in the 1990's. Any knowledge I have is a bit out of date, but remember going round the red light district with some friends just to see... didn't partake! Worth a look though, it is quite peaceful and how prostitution should be handled with openness and proper safety for all concerned. Generally the Dutch are great and have the right attitude to most things. The policy on wilding seems to be an exception.
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