Amsterdam, Bruges & Brussels

Guidebook corrections:

Please note: The following corrections were submitted by readers and have not yet been confirmed by Rick. Check updates from Rick for the latest.

Lots of entry fee prices have risen.

Kate Buechler in Winnipeg, MB Canada 05/22/2008

Amsterdam Bruges & Brussels 2007. On page 238 for getting to the Kroller-Muller Museum, you state that it takes (2/hr, 60 min). Isn't that 3 hours? From Amsterdam Central station the train actually took 1 hour to Ede-Wageningen then the #108 bus and a 20 minute ride to the edge of Otterlo. When we got off there a small shuttle bus took us through the small village of Otterlo to a point where a short walk to the museum took only 5 minutes. At the end of our visit we rode the white bikes back to the main gate to catch the little shuttle bus back to the stop where we caught the bigger bus back to the Ede-Wageningen train station. The day trip Kroller-Muller Museum will be posted as one of the best days of our lives. Note: the attendant at the Amsterdam train station mentioned that traveling to destinations on weekends is cheaper. We paid 51 Euros for a Friday trip instead of 39 Euros on Saturday. But she agreed that it would be more crowded.

Dug Waggoner in El Cerrito, CA USA 05/12/2008

1. Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum no longer allow photography of any kind at all (leave all cameras at home).

Winston & Suzie in Seattle, WA USA 05/11/2008

You can't take pictures in the Rijkmuseum anymore. Someone threw lighter fluid on a painting last year and destroyed a painting, of which they were able to fix.

Amy in Anoka, MN USA 05/01/2008

If you are staying in or near the Leidseplein area and need to get to the airport, it is easier (and maybe cheaper) to catch the #197 bus directly to Schiphol from the Leidseplein bus stop than to truck your bags down to the train station to take the express train (especially with all of the construction confusion down there just now). You can use your stippenkaart (it's only a few strips) or just pay the bus driver. Also the AMB/AMRO Banks in the City will not change your excess Euros for dollars unless you are already a bank customer, possibly because they seem to have a monopoly on the exchange at the airport where there is a minimum 3.40 Euro charge for the privilege. All three of the self-guided walks for Amsterdam were terrific!

kc in San Francisco, USA 04/11/2008

The easyInternetcafe is out of business. Also, the Heinecken Brewery tour is closed until summer of 2008.

Mary in New YOrk, NY USA 03/23/2008

could you give more clear directions about how to get to the Van Gogh museum for someone taking your central city tour? The tour takes you to the main museum, but it doesn't do enough to help the visitor who wants to go to the Van Gogh instead.

You might also want to point out that the #5 tram passes right by the Van Gogh museum.

Craig Oren in Cherry Hill, NJ USA 03/21/2008

The guidebook needs to note that although the Hotel Keizershof in Amsterdam accepts credit cards when making a reservation, the traveler needs to be prepared to pay for the room in cash. Credit cards are not accepted as payment for the room. Also Mary (an excellent hostess otherwise) should be encouraged to change her website to indicate this so that her guests can be prepared to pay her.

Beth TX USA 03/07/2008

No

Gary Hilliard in Dover, DE USA 01/10/2008

De Groene Lantaarn (Green Lantern) has changed. The restaurant is now called "Restaurant Bloemgracht" and serves a creative/fusion menu. (www.restaurantbloemgracht.nl) Dumon Chocolates are now 21 Euro per Kilo.

Mark Adams in Maple Grove, MN USA 11/12/2007

Yes. On page 242 of the 2007 version of this book, it says that "The Hague—the Netherlands' capital,...: Amsterdam is the capital, not The Hague. Sources: U.S. State Department Background Notes on The Netherlands; Embassy of The Netherlands

Maureen in Alexandria, VA USA 10/27/2007

Hi, just wanted to let you know that in Amsterdam, restaurant DeGroene Lantaarn is no longer that & is now called Restaurant Bloemgracht- still at the same address in the Jordaan. But they now only take reservations. I went there the first week of Sept.'07. Sorry, I actually didn't eat nor did I inquire about current pricing. On page 175 of the Amsterdam guidebook

Johanna Ehlhardt in Seattle, Wa USA 10/24/2007

We were told at the Heiniken Beer Experience that they will be closing this month for renovation, and will not be open until next June, and the cost will be going up. To me, the Amsterdam History Museum needs at least two hours to see just a fraction of what is there. This museum deserves at least two triangles.

Tom Kilory in San Diego, CA USA 10/14/2007

Trip to Edam from Amsterdam...10/10/07 Bus #110 took 1 hour; bus #114 took only 25 min. Cheese market was very disappointing...only 1 cheese vendor. De Prinsen Bar and Eetcafe'(recommended in RS guide for cheese sampler or light lunch, serves NO food! Maybe only in summer?

Millie in Bay St Louis, MS USA 10/10/2007

Re: Outdoor museum at Arnhem (Kroller-Muller)

The guidebook states a 70 minute trip from Amsterdam to the site. Due to rail repairs week-ends have interupted train schedules. It took us almost 3 hours.

Eileen Engel in Hammond, LA USA 10/10/2007

Joopes Hotel in Haarlem is now called the Ambassador.

Julie in Provo, Ut USA 09/04/2007

The Hotel New Amsterdam is now called Chic and Basic

Donna comar in Pleasant Hill, CA USA 09/02/2007

We just got back from Amsterdam, and used the AMsterdam Bruges & Brussels 2007 Guidebook. While we found the book very useful (we had previously used your Italy Guidebook, and found that to be great), there were a few errors. First, in the Amsterdam City Walk section, p. 76, Metz & Co. is located at the intersection of Leidsestraat and Keizersgracht, not Herengracht. In the section on the day trip to Arnhem, under Kroller-Muller Museum and Nationaal Park de Hoge Veluwe, p. 237, the cost of a combo ticket is now 14 Euros, rather than 12. On p. 238, it is the #108 bus, not #107 that you take from the train station at Ede-Wageningen to Otterlo, not the #108. When you get to Otterlo, the bus to the park comes immediately behind the #108. On the way back from the park, you can take the bus back to the Otterlo station and the #108 to take you to the train station at Ede-Wageningen picks you up right away.

Ken Werner in West Hartford, CT USA 08/04/2007

Too many people must be reading Rick's recommendation about going to the Anne Frank House after 6 pm to avoid the lines. We went after 6 pm and still had to wait about 20 minutes - but it was still worth it!

Chris Towne in Harmony, PA USA 07/29/2007

Openbare Bibliotech Amsterdam on Prinsengraht is closed, a new central branch opened 7/7/07 near the central train station.

Anne Frank House: you can get tickets ahead online for a 1/2 euro surcharge. Big advantage.

Rijksmuseum (at Phillips) was not the same as described in your book, the collection has changed a bit.

Cindy in Shurleff, Wa USA 07/13/2007

Medemblik: the location of the ferry in relation to the steam train has changed. Not sure if this is permemant or not, but when you get off the steam train, you get to the boat by crossing the tracks and heading over the hill and you are right there.

Centraal train station does not provide schedules if you go to a person at the counter. I requested it several times and they don't have it. They also cannot provide connection information. If you want schedules use the German rail site ahead of time to get a range of leaving and return times. The NS site is OK, but harder to navigate, I used the German rail site to figure out the stops and schedules and then verified on the NS site.

Stephen Heverin in Oreland, PA USA 06/19/2007

A few corrections to mention: 1) The canal boat tour that Rick recommends (Rondvaart Kooij) does not have seats that face all forward...you actually sit at a table with benches on both sides. I saw other tour boats with seats like that were mentioned; the price is now 7.50 Euros, and they run every 30 minutes, not 4 times an hour. 2) The Heiniken Beer Expereince opens at 11am, not 10am and now cost 11 Euros. 3) It was very difficult to get 24 hour passes for the trams on the trams.

Amanda Krug FL USA 06/09/2007

Food prices were higher across the board in Brugge. This does not take exchange into account.

Dave Huthwaite in Leesburg, VA USA 06/07/2007

The Rembrandthuis is 11.50 euro, not 7.50 euro. But, it is complete with an audiotour (wireless headset) which doesn't appear to be as it was described in the guidebook. With the audioguide, I would rate the attraction as two triangles, not just one. We very much enjoyed it.

Joni Valerio in Cranford, NJ USA 05/25/2007

YES Page 10, Exchange Rates: 1 euro is currently = about $1.50 (I just got back from Holland) To roughly convert prices in euro's to dollars, add 50 percent%.

Page 10, Banking: Most credit card companies are adding a 1 percent fee for international credit card transactions.

Page 10, Banking: You need to mention the transaction fee added by banks and exchange facilities each time you exchange US cash to euro's. GWK Offices provide a coupon which waves the fee for a 2nd transaction at their offices.

Bill Schmidt in Norfolk, VA USA 05/22/2007

Under the sleeping section "In and near the Jordaan," the hotel "Truelove Antiek & Guesthouse" email is listed incorrectly in the 2007 book. The listed email is "...@zonnnet.nl". The correct email, as listed on their site, is "...@zonnet.nl". Just thought you might like to know.

Sarah Kinsman in Woodstock, GA USA 05/06/2007

The Gruuthuse Museum in Bruges, Belgium is closed for renovations for 2007.

Kristin in Philadelphia, PA USA 04/27/2007

As of April, the Amstel Botel in Amsterdam did NOT move as they had announced earlier this year.

Also, according to www.brugge.be (official site of Bruges), the Gruuthuse will be closed until November 2007 for renovation.

Melissa Berry in Maryville, TN USA 04/25/2007

You cannot buy tickets for the Connexxion bus at Amsterdam's Schipol airport from the driver. There is a booth inside the terminal where you must purchase your ticket now.

Tom Barclay in Smyrna, GA USA 04/24/2007

Pg. 162 - Hotel Keizershof - takes credit cards for deposit only - requires cash for payment - made reservations for Aug 24 - 29, 2007.

Charles M Carter in Seattle, WA USA 04/11/2007

Pili Pili in Bruges is under new management. Allan Hilderson and Gianna Sanry are a husband/wife team that provided the best Italian food I've had in years. Sanry serves the food and gives very special attenion while Allan cooks. Highly recommended.

Bob Gallagher in Indianapolis, IN USA 04/04/2007

As further evidence of how to speak the name of the "Provo"cative corner of Amsterdam called Spui (page 61): Not only did the tramcar announcement I heard upon arrival at Spui sound more to me like "Spow" than "Spy", but also the narration of the 2006 documentary 'Rembrandt - 400 Years' (shown recently by Oregon Public Broadcasting) pronounces the vowel sound "ui" in the name of Rembrandt's patron Huygens as "HOWgens", and in the name of Rembrandt's wife Saskia van Uylenburg as "OWLenburg."

I suspect that Dutch tolerance extends to how the "ui" sound in Spui can vary between "Spow' and 'Spy', though comparatively the Dutch words 'huis' and 'uil' make more sense in English when they are pronounced 'house' and 'owl'. While some Amsterdammers may prefer to call this bookish, well-lighted area "Spy", the origin of Amsterdam's Spui - a former sluice or whirlpool in the old city moat - reflects the name's watery kinship to the English word 'spout'.

(Similarly, New Yorkers may prefer to "Spite the Devil" when they speak of Spuyten Duyvil, a former creek found in the Bronx...but that name derives likewise from 'Spuitende Duivel' - the Devil's Sluice or Spout - to describe the swirling currents where the creek met the river. The accent and vocabulary of Nieuw Amsterdam still owe much to the speech of Oude Amsterdam.)

Rick Klaastad in Portland, OR USA 02/18/2007

A couple of corrections I'd recommend for the guidebook: Obviously, we went during winter, which isn't the most popular time to go- but we went on the Roondvaart boat tour which was mentioned in the book as having all seats facing forward. This is no longer true, the seats face both ways and it was the only boat that fogged up badly during our tour (we saw many boats on our walks around the city, none as foggy as the Roondvaart)- something worth mentioning? Also- a few of the restaurants and small coffee shops were closed for the holidays until after the New Year, this may be something to tell readers just so they have a heads up if they plan to travel around the holidays (we were in Amsterdam 12/26- 12/31.

Stacey Mazuelas in Saint Paul, MN USA 01/18/2007

As I was researching hotels, I noticed that Hotel Hegra's website was listed incorrectly (or may have been recently changed!).

It is actually at www.hegrahotel.com.

Carly Bean in Moscow, ID USA 12/29/2006

2006 edition pages 310, 361, and perhaps others: Bruxelloise is feminine singular only; the correct form for referring to denizens of Brussels is Bruxellois.

2006 edition page 315: the 10-ride transport card can be used by two (up to four?) persons, when stamped for each. Cost in Sept '06 was EUR 10,50.

Peter Calingaert in Chapel Hill, NC USA 10/17/2006

Not a correction per se, but it's helpful to know that the Rembrandt House Museum charges a supplement of 5 euros if a special exhibit is on (as it is currently). That makes entry 12.50 euros--pretty steep, especially if one is not particularly drawn by the special exhibit! Note that someone here said the Van Gogh Museum went up from 10 euros, but that is not correct. Perhaps that person was paying a supplement for a special exhibit?

marian USA 10/16/2006

Rick pushes Haarlem as a place to stay rather than Amsterdam, however we really liked staying in Amsterdam and just taking a train to Haarlem for the day--so much to see and do in the larger city and would not have liked going back and forth so much, would have been bored in Haarlem for any length of time.

Susan & Milton Martin in Hopewell, VA USA 10/11/2006

We used Rondvaart Kooij for our canal boat tour in Amsterdam. Our boat did not have seats facing one way nor did the others we saw. Price went up to euro 7,50.

Jane Steward in Portage, MI USA 10/11/2006

The trip to the Kroller Mueller Museum is, sadly, much more than an hour, as the train takes about an hour and a half from Amsterdam, then there's a 40 minute wait for the bus (the 110 runs only on weekdays, it's the 108 on weekends), plus the bus ride. It took us almost 3 hours to get there (including walk from bus to park entrance), and since we got there so late, there were no white bicycles to ride to the museum.

Warren Leiden in Mill Valley, CA USA 09/11/2006

Lunch at Place Luxembourg (in Brussels) is now more like 15 euros per person. Also, thanks for poiting out that Rue des Bouchers is famous for ripping off tourists by posting one price and charging another. For better food and more ambiance, try the restaurants at St Catherine Place just 2-3 blocks away.

Courtney in Brussels, BE USA 08/15/2006

The Van Gogh Museum will take credit cards/debit cards...but the minimum charge is 25 euros. If you buy two tickets..that is still not enough money to put on your debit card. We were really disappointed after waiting in line for 1/2 hour that we had to get out of line and go to an ATM machine to get cash in order to enter the museum. Obviously this tip does not apply to folks who have the I Amsterdam card.

Windy Hammond in APO , AE USA 07/23/2006

Two small items. 1) p241 "Amsterdam Connexion shuttle bus takes you to your hotel neighborhood." implying a possible walk afterwards. Our shuttle bus took us (and three other customers) directly to each of our hotels. Also, round trip fare was 19 euro which we purchased at the airport upon arrival. Our pickup on the return to Schipol was on-time. I would use this service again. 2) We used taxis to get us to and from the Brussels airport (Zaventum) and our downtown hotel. The rides were $45 and $47 euro. respectively. Guidebook says 35 euro is typical (p 368). First cab, at the airport, did not have a meter (???) so we agreed on price before leaving the airport. Second cab ride. back to airport, had a meter (the $47 euro ride).

Dave K. in Novato, CA USA 07/23/2006

Yes- the tour is now run by Nathan. Frank is retired and sold the business to Nathan- a Belgian Army/NATO vet himself and a Flanders native. Nathan did a splendid job with 5 of us- we saw virtually every memorial site, different trench complexes, had 1-2 hours in the Flanders Fields museum. Fee included all museum costs and a local style lunch.

TK Courtney in Charlton, MA USA 07/22/2006

Although I have driven in the US for over 40 years, I felt somewhat lost and overwhelmed in regular surface street driving in The Netherlands because they use practices for which I was totally unprepared. HELP!

If my cousins had not given me "back seat driving" advice, I would have been lost because their driving customs and laws are different from the US. In the US, all driving directions are either in words and/or symbols on street signs. Not so in The Netherlands. I was totally unprepared to understand the "dashed lines" painted on the street mean STOP HERE. (No STOP SIGNS as in US.) Right of way: When approaching an intersection or a Roundabout/rotary/rotunda (take your pick), the car on the right always has the right of way. The relative speed of driving for most Dutch drivers is the Indy-500, even if one is driving a few blocks to the grocery store. (Dutchmen find US laid-back driving customs quaint.)

Most Dutch drivers choose stick-shift cars, and operate them as junior grade race cars. We need a big-time section in Europe Thru on the Back Door on Dutch driving here. It's different from French, Italian, and German driving. There is a courtesy in Dutch driving which is commendable. Also driving in Dutch cities requires the driver to be aware of all traffic on the roads, pedestrians, bicyclists, trams, etc. Cities have many lanes each way, almost too much for a US driver to grasp without a spotter helping.

Also, Dutch bicylists are a menace, because they assume they have the right of way, and expect pedestrians to watch for them, not like the US. I was almost run down twice by speeding bicylists who I never saw until it was almost too late. (In contrast, freeway driving is no harder than in the US, and all directions are explicitly posted on signs which are easy to follow. Drive off onto surface streets and one enters a new and scary world.)

Do you know what "shark teeth" are? I didn't until my cousins wised me up. Where are they painted and why? We need guidebook help with driving on Dutch streets. Who has right of way on a roundabout/rotary/rotunda? When does one use turn signals entering a roundabout/rotary/rotunda? I didn't have a clue until my cousins told me. US practice on turn signals may produce avoidable problems on roundabout/rotary/rotundas. Help!

John H. Lyons in POMONA, CA USA 07/12/2006

At least the day we went there, the New Church closed at 17:00, not 18:00 as it says in the guidebook. It was a bummer because it was our last day and we were going there last to see the special Ukrainian art exhibit because the other things we wanted to see closed at 17:00.

Dave in Richmond, VA USA 07/11/2006

Brasserie Restaurant de Roode Leeuw (Amsterdam): Brasserie closed at 18:00 so more expensive restaurant was the only option.

Dieltiens B&B (Bruges): Rick refers to a "hearty" breakfast. I wouldn't call what we got "hearty". It was sufficient. Floor of our room was annoyingly noisy. Hosts were very nice and arranged restaurant and taxi reservations for us.

Calvin Hilton in Jacksonville, FL USA 06/18/2006

Not a correction, exactly, but info we wish we had known... The replica of Foucault's Pendulum in the Grote Kirk in Haarlem is only swung by tour guides in the fall. My son, a physics major, was very disappointed.

Laura in Speegle, TX USA 06/12/2006

"Formula Leon" at Restaurant Chez Leon no longer cost 12.85. The printed menu now list it as 13.50, but the actual cost is now 14.50. The 14.50 is shown posted on the chalk boards.

Johnnie Guest in st petersburg, FL USA 06/11/2006

You need to update your review of Hotel de Leydsche Hof in Amsterdam. You describe it as having "worn carpets and flimsy cots." When were you last there? We are extremely picky and were thrilled with our room (#3). It was huge and lovely, beautiful fireplace and antiques, large windows looking out over a gorgeous garden, and good beds with mattresses and box springs (two twin beds puched together to form a large bed.) They only have two rooms, the upstairs room is a bit smaller but still quite nice. The location is absolutely ideal, one of the most beautiful in Amsterdam, very quiet, and yet only a block form the tram lines. The breakfast room is large and grand, and Frits and Loes are the perfect hosts. I don't know that I would recommend it for partying and dope-smoking (don't know if they welcome that) but for a lovely, picturesque, quiet stay it was perfect and the price (95 Euro) was right.

Laurie Adato in Denver, CO USA 06/04/2006

As someone has already noted, on page 333, it should state “take a left onto Petite Rue de Bouchers."

Noslo MA USA 06/03/2006

Dumon has not really moved. Unfortunately, we too stopped in the shop with the "awkward/rude" lady also because (1) it was called Dumon, (2) this shop was closer on the walk in from the train station, and (3) it referenced the Dumon exerpt from Rick's book. The address in the book and this address was different so we too thought they moved. We bought some items but we a bit turned off by the experience from the lady who was a bit pushy and didn't let us build our own compilations. Afterwards, we tracked down the "real" Dumon shop and talked to Madame Dumon who was excellent! She basically said her son sold chocolates to this lady as a reseller under Dumon name. I'm a bit concerned about this because it's not just the product I'm after but I'm also expecting a degree of certainty that the experience will be a good one (hence why I'm buying Rick's books). Don't go to the wrong shop! Go to the exact address listed in Rick's book which is north of Markt Square.

As to the Spui discussion, on the tram, we heard it as rhyming with cow.

Jason Leung in Vancouver, BC Canada 05/26/2006

We were in Amsterdam on Queen's Day this year and were told by the staff at the Hotel Toren that all the museums would be closed that day. The book mentioned just one being closed. That made for a long day of watching drunk people in boats with loudspeakers crashing into each other in the canals. I would not recommend anyone going there on Queens Day - it is a local celebration without much meaning for tourists and the noise was unbelievable.

Carol Singler in Seattle, WA USA 05/21/2006

In Amsterdam, the Hotel Toren gives a 10% discount only when paying cash and mentioning the Rick STeves guidebook. It does not give the discount by simply mentioning the guidebook.

I suggest that you mention that Villa Zeezicht cafe also opens early (7:30 M-F and 8:00 Sat-Sun)for breakfast. It has an excellent breakfast menu, including eggs, muesli with yogurt and fresh (not canned) fruit,croissant, ham/cheese. This is extremely helpful info, as it is very difficult to get an early breakfast in the canal district. We stayed at Hotel Toren, and although their 12 Euro pp breakfast was quite good, it was too much money for more food than we wanted each day. The Villa Zeezicht is only two blocks away.

Also, the Bakkerij Lakker Brood en 20. . ., on the corner of Keizersgracht and Prinsenstraat, opens for breakfast at 7:00 Monday through Saturday. It is only one block from the Hotel Toren. It has fresh orange juice, coffee/cappucino, ham and cheese plus a fabulous selection of pastries, rolls, and breads.

Cindy Kennett in Oquossoc, ME USA 05/07/2006

Yes.

Page 333, last paragraph in italics, 1st line should read as: At the intersection, make left on Petite des Bouchers.

Page 241, From Schipol airport to Haarlem: The bus #300 ride only costs 4.80$ per person. For people staying at Joops Hotel (under Rick's recommended list of hotels), it is better to get down at the Grote Market stop (let the driver know when getting on the bus).

Ajay Gupta in Flower Mound, TX USA 04/30/2006

Just got back from Brugges and Amsterdam. In Brugges we stayed with Paul and Roos Gheerarert-Vandevelde in their B & B located at Riddersstraat 9. It was great, beutiful 19th century mansion with a great location. Our room was large and the bathroom really nice. The breakfast was wonderul, they gave you everything and a bowl of chocolates! The Choco-Story museum is worth a visit, it smells delightful and you get a free chocoalte at the end! Dumon chocolate is by far the best chocolate, the chocolate line is also good (they have some fun flavours like cigar) but is a lot more money.

Amsterdam, we stayed at hotel Kaiserhoff. It was wonderful, we had the back room with the garden view. The breakfast was great Mary served us omlets and fesh fruit salad every morning. Both places are worth a stay!

Jenna USA 04/21/2006

On Pg 118, in the Orientation section under 'Crowd Control', the book says "IAmsterdam Card holders still have to wait in line". It is true that we have to wait in line, but there is a separate line for people who have booked the tickets but don't have the actual tickets with them (I think it is Line 3). This line is much shorter than the line for people who need to purchase tickets

Sharmila Pandith in Hoboken, NJ USA 04/16/2006

J. S. Hartnett wrote: "In Amsterdam, the word 'Spui' is pronounced to rhyme with 'spy,' not 'cow' (page 61). Neither is the correct pronunciation. There is no equivalent for the Dutch "ui" sound in English, although "spy" is closer than "cow." I speak native Dutch.

Ayna Meppelink in Olalla, WA USA 03/10/2006

I was notified today via email (and confirmed via telephone)that the Hotel Maas at Leidsekade 91 is closing January 6, 2006. The building was purchased by the theater next door to remodel into a larger theater. They re-booked me automatically to another hotel of comprable quality but not location. Thought you would like to know.

Dwight Lambert in Grants Pass , OR USA 01/03/2006