Amsterdam

[CTDan]

Arlo/Bangind,

Here is my AMS advice, hope it helps:

The layout of Amsterdam is pretty straightforward. Central Station is the train station and it sits "atop" the city (I think it is North). The city is divided into sections, which are pretty much cut up by canals. Whichever direction it is, the city is thought of with Central Station at 12:00. You can take a train to Central Station from the airport, or a taxi directly to your hotel for around $40US.

Below Central Station (less than 1 mile) is Dam Square and the Royal Palace, that is kind of like the center of the city. This main section of Amsterdam (Central Station/Dam Square/Royal Palace) is called City Center. I think it is also called Damrak.

The section to the right of this area is the most famous Red Light District.

The section to the left is called Singel.

The section below City Center is called Leidensplein.

These are the main areas that I would focus on.

Everything is connected by a great tram system, that hubs back at Central Station. It gets a bit confusing (especially if you have been visiting a coffeeshop), so I usually get a "day pass," which is around eight or ten bucks. Just ask the conductor, who sits in a booth on the tram for a day pass. If there is no conductor, ask the driver. That ticket is good all day for any tram.

hotels -

The best hotel in town is Grand Krasnapolsky. In Dec/Jan, that place should run about $150-$200 per night. It is a classic European Hotel, at least four stars -- if not five. It is located between Dam Square and Central Station, and less than a ten minute walk from the main Red Light District.

Second choice, Hotel Victoria. It is right across from Central Station, and is very nice-- classic European hotel, but a definite notch below the Grand Kras. You'll probably spend around $150/night. It's also a ten minute walk.

You can also go for a smaller hotel, just make sure that you can get in and out 24 hrs/ day. Some of the smaller places are run by a married couple, and you'll quickly turn them into enemies when you stagger to the door and start banging to get in at 4am. They'll run less than $100/night. I recommend both the Singel Hotel Amsterdam and the Multatuli. They are probably fifteen minute walks to the RLD.

Both of these are nicely located close to City Center, but on the other side of town from the RLD. Singel Hotel is near one of my favorite places for a wake and bake, called Floyd's. A place that I really liked that is a bit better than those two, but a notch below the Victoria was called NH City Centre. It is in a section of City Center called "Spuistrat," which is in the south of the main City Center. Kind of like how Greenwich Village is in the south of Manhattan. That hotel is a twenty minute walk to the main RLD (but only ten minutes from the Singel RLD -- more on that later).

Be careful not to make a mistake by trying to save a few bucks, and staying outside of the main city. A lot of hotels are technically in Amsterdam, but can be a twenty minute train ride away from the fun. The last thing you want to be doing at 4am is trying a figure out where Central Station is, waiting 45 minutes for a train, taking a 20 minute train ride to your hotel, and then walking another five minutes to get there. Stay in City Center (or Singel).

Finally, if you think you might be partying heavily, the Grand Kras and the Victoria have the benefit of being landmarks, so any taxi driver can get you there. I have spent an hour in the back of a cab, running up a 100 euro fare, trying to find my hotel (with the full knowledge that the cabbie was taking advantage of the situation).

Red Light Districts -

The main RLD centers around the Old Church. Looking at a map of AMS, with Central Station at the top, the RLD is at 2:00 on the clock. It is quite massive, you'll notice it by the obvious ladies in the windows, which have red lights over them (or around them). It is pretty easy to find, and takes a good couple of hours to take in all the sights. The RLD kind of centers around the "Old Church," which a landmark that everybody knows (they also know you are looking for the RLD not a church, but if you are asking a little old lady or a cop, it is a bit more politically correct). Blue lights mean he/shes. Ladies are generally of similar nature on certain streets (Europeans on one street, Latinos on another, Thais on another, etc, etc). So, if you are in the mood for some Thai, once you find one, you'll probably quickly find a good selection by sticking around that general area (usually, but not always).

The basic fee is 50 euro, which comes out to $65 US. Plan on a bit more for multiple positions, and always clarify topless, multiple positions, or anything else you want. 50 euro is a five minute suck followed by a one-position shot on goal, with both parties fully naked. Negotiate in the doorway, not in the room, to make sure you don't end up spending $120 when you could have spent $80. Or, you can just plan on getting off for 50 euro. When I find a lady I like, I usually say hi, kind of lean in the door and say "fifty," she say yes. Then once the door is closed, I say both of us nude, a couple of positions, ok? She usually says "twenty more." I say yes, and off we go. Make sure you have proper change, if you give her eighty euro, don't expect ten back. Anal is tough to find, S&M is easier. Almost all have sex toys (but again negotiate first before junior decides that stuffing those anal beads up her ass while you are doing it doggie style is worth another 50 euro).

There are literally hundreds of girls working at almost all times of the day (it is slow 3/4am - 9am). Some sections of that area can be a bit nasty at night. I know there one section that I seem to happen across once or twice while walking around that is just off of the RLD and is heavily Jamaican. It is a scary place, and whenever I make the mistake of wandering there, I quickly turn around and get back into the crowds. There are always junkies, panhandlers, and drug dealers lurking around, usually near the bridges that cross the canals. They should be avoided, best accomplished by simply ignoring them. You will be solicited for "charley, cocoa, viagra, hashish." Don't respond -- the last thing you need is to either get ripped off, buy fake drugs, or get arrested. I have heard that pickpockets are around also, but luckily have not had that problem. As is the case anywhere, carry a copy of your passport, and a days supply of cash. Leave the rest at the hotel. On the weekends, there are drunk kids from England, Ireland, and everywhere staggering around.

The sex shows are a rip off. They run about 40euro, and feature one or two couples screwing in different positions for a half hour. The Banana Bar is a strip joint, which can be fun if you have a good load on. It is about the same price to get in, and the girls do tricks with bananas, and will write postcards with their privates. It is still a rip off, but better than a sex show. You get one hour in there, free beer (for a tip), and a very crowded/drunk audience that you have to fight over to get to the girls. Then you can eat a banana, or have a postcard sent home to mom, or whatever. Again, still a rip off, just less than the sex shows.

Don't ever take pictures of the ladies in the windows.

In the Singel section (which is on the other side of City Center), there is also a RLD, which I prefer. It is in the South/Center of Singel. It features a lot of latin women, is much less touristy, and tends to run about 40 euro versus 50 euro. Also in Southern Singel there is a great coffeeshop called the Grey Area, which is run by a couple of Americans. The nice thing about NH City Centre (hotel) is that it is a hop, skip, and a jump away from Singel's RLD and the Grey Area. You are basically separated from the best parts of Singel by a canal.

Apparently, there are other RLDs throughout the country, but I am not familiar with any others.

Coffeeshops and Bars -

Coffeeshops are all over the city. Floyd's is a five minute walk from Central Station, I think it is in the northern section of Singel. They open at 7am, and have a very, very high quality selection of hash and weed. It is a great place to get breakfast. Most places are open from nine or ten until midnight, or so.

Abraxis is down near NH City Centre, and is a nice place that has a nice selection, and the Grey Area is fantastic for quality weed.

My best advice is to stick to these kind of places to procure your day's supply and then go out around town. You cannot smoke anywhere, but about 1/3 of the bars in town will permit you to light up (sometimes only at a table, or in a certain section). Just ask the bartender.

I'd avoid the Bulldog, or any of the other places that have been around forever and have a famous name -- they are pricey and the quality of herb is not there. There are also "smartshops," which offer other organic goods, such as Peyote or Mushrooms. Overall, your ability to feret out a quality coffeeshop will make the difference between getting massively stoned for the week, and spending the week working on getting stoned. Spend the time to find a good shop, and then make sure you find a hash or a weed that you like. If a hash has the word "cream" in it, it is generally of higher quality. If you just have to visit one of those "famous" coffeeshops, so you can tell the boys back home you partied there, go in, get an eight euro gram of weed (that costs five euro anywhere else in town) to be polite, but smoke some of that fine herb you picked up at Floyd's or Grey Area.

In terms of bars, there is a great selection of everything, from dance clubs to dives. If you like beer, you will be in heaven -- you are wedged between Germany and Belgium and get a fanastic selection of European beers.

Leidensplein (to the south of City Centre) is the heart of the "younger set's" nightlife. It is pretty much techno/transe music. Most of the town kind of turns into a techno party on Friday and Saturday, when it seems that every European between 18 and 25 comes to Amsterdam for the weekend. Otherwise, if you are just looking for a more low key place, it should take you less than ten minutes to find once you start walking around. Virtually every block in City Center has at least one bar and one coffeeshop.

You can also buy weed or hash in a few bars (maybe 10%), which is good to know in case you run out in the wee hours. But, it is doubtful that you will run out; a stoner in Amsterdam is like a kid in a candy store. Even if you have a pocket full of nuggets, it is tough to resist getting "just one gram" of that sticky purplish/green Hawaiian/Humbolt cross that you just happened upon. Keep in mind that the legal limit for possession is five grams, however.

Funds --

It runs about $400-$500 to get there, and anywhere from $100-$200 per night to stay there. I usually get Euro travelers checks from American Express, which can be cashed many places. I bring a few hundred bucks, and exchange a hundred at the airport in the US before I leave. Exchange rates suck in airports -- so only exchange enough for pocket change, the taxi or train, and tips to get you to your room. Then, I use an ATM once a day if I need money. That is your best exchange rate, just remember that many banks count Friday - Sunday as one day (so if you take out 300 euro on Friday you may be SOL until Monday ATM wise).

You are not going to buy the weed or hash by the ounce, but by the gram. It is very potent. I found that a gram of very good hash easily lasted two people for the day (!). That ran about ten euro ($12 US). I also found that a five-euro gram of average weed didn't last two hours in a coffeeshop, and it didn't get you very stoned. Don't even think about bringing even one seed back to the US.

I generally found that between, food, drink, smoke, and women, I was spending about 200 euro per day, which is less than $300 US. If was planning a five day/four night trip, I'd figure $1000 transportation and lodging. Then I'd figure another $1000 for fun. $2000 - $2500 would be a good budget.

Where to visit -

The only touristy place worth visiting is the Heineken Factory; it's like five bucks and you get a gift and to drink beers. The only casino in town is in Leidensplein, and it sucks. You're not in Amsterdam for the museums, you can see that stuff anywhere. Have fun, it is one of my favorite cities.

Hope this helps....

[Freeler]

Arlo007,

If you like your days wet and cold and grey and miserable, please do visit Amsterdam in December or January!

For hotels check:
www.book-a-hotel-in-amsterdam.com
and/or:
http://www.hotels.nl/
Both have 'English' buttons.

For cheaper deals consider a stay in nearby Haarlem, Leiden or Alkmaar. All three cities have good rail connections to Amsterdam from very early till very late.

If the $500 for five days are for hotels alone, no problem. If they are for hotel+food+drinks, you might have a problem.
Unless you go to YabYum, you will probably not be able to fuck your way through $300 a day. RTFF and you will find that spending $100 makes most people very happy.

Right now 1 US Dollar gets you 80 €cents.

This is a link to one of many coffeeshopsites:
http://www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com/

[Arlo007]

Hello regular member here.

I am 24 and am planning a trip to Asterdam for late Dcember early January. I have saved up about 3,500 so far American. I think it will cost 500 for tickets and 500 for a 5 day stay. I was wondering what some of the best places to visit are. Considering I have about 1,500 to 2,500 as spending cash when I am there I was wondering what I should blow it on. Which hotels are best and what time of year is it best to visit and what to watch for so I don't get ripped off also wondering if anyone knows how much the pot out there costs for an ounce?

EDITOR's NOTE: Posting of this report was delayed pending revisions to capitalize the word "I". To avoid future delays, please use a capital "I" to refer to yourself in future reports. Thanks!

[Bangind]

Hi Fellow Monger,

I will be in Amsterdam for a week next month. Its my first visit and will need all the support I can get from you people here. Please Advice me on the costs, the do's and most important the DONT'S.

I will need very basic info since , I am new to the place.

So please fell free to bomb me with your precious and useful information.

Thanks Hope to get the support I need!

Bangind

[Late Night]

Shekwan,

Taking pictures of pros in Amsterdam (especially RLD) is very difficult cause most of the girls will not allow you to take pictures of them. They know their pictures will end up on the internet and most of them are hiding their job from their families.

[John Anonymous]

Hi Guys,

New to the forum, new to the hobby, but I've got a report I'd like to share.

Just went to Amsterdam with a friend last weekend and, after reading the super-valuable information off this forum, decided that Park 118 was the place to go (for a newbie like me).

Wasnt hard at all to find the place, it's about a 25 minute walk directly south of Amsterdam Central, you can see the park on any decent city map. The place was exactly as described, an ordinary apartment with a black sign that says 'Park 118' on the south side of the park. It was about 11:30 AM when we got there, and were the only guys there (to my knowledge).

We rang the bell, and the door opened to a clean, ordinary two-flat apartment with an 'office' on the right directly next to the door. We were directed to sit by the hostess, who asked us if we had been there before, and then explained the drill. The girls came in one by one, said their name, shook hands and left. There were four girls working the day we went, and I'd put them at a 9 (named Sarah), a 6, a 6, and a 2. My friend had been burned by a scam artist in one of the red light windows the night before so I decided not to fight him over Sarah, but wasnt interested in the other girls. So, the hostess let us know that one other girl was scheduled to be in very soon, so I decided to wait for her, but she showed up in about 30 seconds, so it was hardly waiting.

Her name was Cammille and even though her appearance was about a 7.5, I put her skill factor at a 9 as well. She was very comfortable, skilled and willing, neither she nor I were nervous and nothing ever got complicated.

I opted for the big room with the jacuzzi, so a total price tag of 105 EUR, while my friend went with the smaller room for 75 EUR. I can't say enough what a great deal this was for the price. My friend had been burned for 80 EUR in the red light the night before, so for him to get such amazing service for 75 was a god send (or maybe it was devil-sent??).

Cammille brought me a cold beer (and had a coke herself, too early she said), and we chatted while I drank the beer, and undressed, all the while the jacuzzi filling up. I can confirm the previous reports that the jacuzzi fills up slow, so dont bother if you are gonna be in a hurry. For me, it was perfect to pace things slowly and have some time to enjoy a beer and get comfortable with the girl.

When I finished the beer, the jacuzzi was ready so we hopped in, chatting comfortably all the while, just relaxed for a little bit, then she moved to give a very nice back rub. Things progressed as things progress after that, and she was very accomodating and flexible. Everything we did was safe, and I never would have even thought to ask for CIM or anal or anything, so who knows where the limits where. But we ended up spending the whole hour, multiple positions, lots of BJ and ball licking, a well lubed up hand job for a while. What I would consider to be 4-star treatment (the 5th-star being anal, of course).

Anyway, this report is too long already, and most of the info is already known so I'll cut it short. The executive summary, if you are ever in Amsterdam and haven't been already, Go. And, STAY AWAY from the red light windows, which even if you dont get scammed are barely worth it, considering options like Park 118.

J

[Shekwan]

Why are there no photos in the Photo Gallery? Of girls, I mean.

None in the Germany section, either.

[Quimrod]

Thanks Whiz Kid. It seems that no-one has any specific recommendations but the general advice and opinions have been gratefully received and taken on board.

My personal preference is for quite petite Asian girls (well, how many of them aren't petite), curvy black girls and modelesque Dutchies, so my next mongering trip at the end of September might be spent avoiding most the girls I find most attractive. Saying that, I never seem to end with girls like that anyway, rather the girl-next-door types.

I'd like to know anyone's opinion on the Vijaya Hotel based at the northern end of the Oudezijds Voorburgwaal, just up from the Oude Kerk I think. It's a two star effort and cheap considering the location, just hoping it wasn't too grot, any horror stories out there?

It's a short trip this time but might take a trip to Den Haag on my only full day out there. I did Alkmaar in March but since the changes out there (reported price rises etc) and a quiet daytime scene I fancy somewhere new.

[Whiz Kid]

Quimrod,

Your right about the british yobs, yeah there are any embarrassment. Also I would say it is a bit dangerous recommending ladies, but at the end of the day "each to his own". It's a very subjective area that one. For example if you asked me our tastes might's differ, I tend to fancy the Curvy Latin European, Latin American, Oriental and Mediterranean chics especially in North Africa.

If you on the other hand prefer your classic pencil thin European look, I'd recommend you skip Amsterdam for Prague. Wider collection, even nicer city and you get more bang for your buck. But if you like the my taste, Amsterdam I think is a good option, as you said cheap flights from London, Cheaper Accommodation and if you know where to go inexpensive ourve, especially if you like Indonesian, Surinamese, Moroccan or Turkish. With a bit more dough you can find Noveau French as well, alot cheaper than london for sure.

Also I think once again Saint is correct with regard to choice of girls, while there are exceptions to the rule, avoid the Dutch girls there mediocre and time councious. Having said that one of my favourite regulars is Dutch, I don't know her name, but she is damm hot in the sac. And he is right about latinas if there your thing, it's skin deep me thinks. Avoid the Africans at your own peril, unless you fancy an eclectic mix of codswallop, skulduggery and hocus-pocus more often than not.

Whiz Kid

[Doctor_Skank]

You'll recognize me easily from all the bruises on my head from the mongers who "beat you to the punch". In any case, I'll be grateful to you all.

[Freeler]

Doctor_Skank,

Please post a few passporttype photos of yourself, so we know WHO to slap 'oops up side his head'...

[Doctor_Skank]

Jamaican and Dutch girls are definitely the greediest and the coldest as soon as money changes hands in my opinion, and the only ones I have ever had who want 20€ to take off their bra, 20€ to touch their pussy, 20€ to breathe the same air as them...

...this seems to be a RLD phenomenon, as Dutch and Jamaican (or African) girls in Germany's FKKs are a total different story ... if you can find them, they are rare in Germany, or I've been going to the wrong FKKs. Most likely the girls realize they get away with their tricks with the tourists (who aren't going to be return business anyway) so they'll continue their game. Unfortunately Jamaican and Dutch girls are some of the hottest so I refuse to give up on them, but usually regret selecting them about 30 seconds into the session.

Ouch that hurts. Don't do that. That costs extra. Don't you want to book an hour for 100€ more? Why can't you come fast? Gee baby, I wonder why...

I'll be in A-dam this weekend (if I get past Arnhem) ... so if you see me standing in front of a Dutch girl fumbling through my wallet please slap me up side the head in point me towards a chica or dyev.

[Freeler]

Dickhead,

"Should be there in about four weeks."

The Thai girls or you?

Africans and Jamaicans are a big NO GO for me anywhere, anytime. So, Quimrod's "It's trying to choose the right girls and avoiding the bad experiences that's half the fun, don't you think?" is perhaps true sometimes, but not at €50 a try!

[Quimrod]

the africans can be a nightmare. my one experience with one was not particularly pleasant. however there must be exceptions, and advice to avoid certain nationalities can only be general advice for the inexperienced rld man. my first girl in a kamer was a dutchy down trompetersteeg and it was thoroughly pleasant. there was no attempt to rip me off and she was polite and got me to relax and everything. i've had a brazilian (well, brazilian-dutch) called sara who was down the road from the casa rossa who was a bit of a disappointment. i'd just advise peeps to avoid girls who look down in the mouth or tap on the windows. oh yeah, and run like hell from the ones who open the windows and shout at you.

it's trying to choose the right girls and avoiding the bad experiences that's half the fun, don't you think?

[Dickhead]

Agree with Late Night and not with Saint. Have had more good experiences than bad with the Dutch girls. Avoid the AFRICANS. But really I try to find Thai girls when in A'dam. Should be there in about four weeks.