Rick Steves Amsterdam & the Netherlands

There are so many reasons to visit the Netherlands. Rick Steves’s guides are essential for the visitor on a budget who wants to experience the true culture of Europe. Steves does much to visit the out-of-the-way places, but also details the essential tourist places such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House. Everything one would need to know from packing, to access, to transportation systems, hotels and restaurants, is included in his thorough approach to travel. Even details such as the type of gables one would find in Amsterdam is detailed.

This guidebook also includes day trips. Unfortunately, the city of Leiden is included as a day trip whereas I find that a longer stay in this wonderful “little Amsterdam” is well worth the time. We stayed at the De Doelin right on a beautiful canal. We had some power outages at breakfast but the 1638 hotel was charming. Included is a very handy guide to Dutch phrases at the back of the book. Parents travelling with children also gain helpful tips for great places to keep the younger ones amused. Steves also lists priorities for a one day tour — or longer. He does not neglect the seamier sides of Amsterdam’s vibrant culture. This is an essential guidebook.