Frommer's Irreverent Guide to Amsterdam

My husband and I bought both the Amsterdam and the London versions as we planned our honeymoon. What a great read! Reading the Irreverent Guide further fueled our excitement about Amsterdam and our trip and we found the city to be true to the book's description.The style of the books are very easy to read, with useful information and a slightly sarcastic, biting tone. The information is presented in a funny manner and it definitely differs from the dry-as-a-bone descriptives that classify so many travel books. Because the book is written based on information from locals, and even partially by locals themselves, this travel guide has more of a travelogue feel than a travel guide feel, which definitely appeals to me. It offers good information about how to really *see* a city or a place the way its seen by people who live there, even if you are only there for a few days.We used the Amsterdam guide to find our hotel, look up attractions, learn enough about the culture so that we weren't annoyed with the slow wait service, and many other things. We did not have a single negative experience in Amsterdam from following any of the book's recommendations.

This guide is not your typical boring tourist drivel. It gives you the lowdown on A'dam: what's the deal with pot and hash at the coffee houses, about the redlight district, cool places to stay, where to eat and where to avoid, etc. It's a light, fast read that I did in one sitting. I decided on my hotel and mapped out some things I don't want to miss. The weak parts of the book concern the areas that I am going back to A'dam for in the first place. It should give a better picture of the Redlight district. They only mention the girls in the windows, but don't give you any detail like how much and what you get, no recoomendations (except for one brothel). Also, no detail on the coffee shops. If they treated these two areas as well as the hotels and resturants, then it would be the ultimate party guide to the city. Hey, buy the book - it gives good background and advice. But you need to find details about your particular jollies elsewhere. I am buying the Irreverent Guide to Disney World next!

This book is the perfect combination of inside gossip, tourist info, and handy maps. It is pocket-size, though tall; however,anyone with too little time and too little memory will carry it without complaint.The inside gossip prefaces each section and often is more valuable than what follows - item by item critiques. The guide offers non-judgemental insights into what a tourist can expect in Amsterdam, whether it is the incredibly high cost of a hotel room or the casualness of a coffee house. It also tips the traveler off to preferred customs, local attitudes and things one wouldn't expect. The section "you probably didn't know", should be required reading for all potential visitors. Also,at the end of each section is a map which is detailed enough to direct the confused to at least a common point of reference.We traveled to Amsterdam in November '98 for one week, and chose to ignore one of the first pieces of advise the "Accomodations" section offers: "Book as far ahead as possible." We decided to wait until we arrived, and check out a few options. Mistake. Everything was full, and the adventure aspect soon wore thn as we wondered where we were going to sleep. We are in our 40's and wanted something convenient, and with a private bath. The guide saved us as we made our way to the Jordaan area and found the Acacia. The Acacia is listed as "dowdy but lovable" and that it truly was. We spent about $70 a night and felt safe, comfortable, and "looked after". The room included a breakfast of coffee, croissants, rolls, jame and an egg; however, it is served only from 8am to 9:30 and we only made it down in time once. This is a canal house and the stairs are amazing. The guide warns you, but travelers who are fire escape conscious won't be thrilled with this set-up.The "Diversions" section is as diverse as its name, and we found almost all of the information there very accurate. The Heineken Brewery information was very detailed and right on the nose. We did miss the Anne Frank House as we waited utnil our last day and went too late. The guide indicated that it was open until 5 and we arrived at 4 and found it closed. Who knows if that was just a fluke, but whatever the reason it did not color our opinion of "Frommer's irreverent guide to amsterdam"; an excellent traveling companion.

Amsterdam pulses and buzzes with life, and a weary traveler can either get caught up in it, get run over by it, or stand and watch it from a safe distance. "Irreverent" features activities for any of these three speeds. This guide book accompanied me on a five month stay near Amsterdam, and it never let me down when I needed entertainment. It's smart suggestions and wry humor gave a good context from which to view the city, its inhabitants and habits. The recommendations for museums, concerts and resturants were second to none. Also, the author's descriptions of establishments accurately reflected the prevailing costs. The maps made a handy tool for any lost traveler, and it provided the neccesary warnings regarding the excesses for which Amsterdam is famous without shying away or judging. "Irreverent" was the guide I used the most in that neighborhood of Europe and I encourage other travelers to do the same.