I will be traveling to Italy with some friends in March ( flying out of Milwaukee). Our plan is to meet in Rome and then travel on to Florence and Venice.
I've been thinking about heading over to Europe a couple of days early to spend a few days in another country/city. I'm thinking about Amsterdam as I have been to London and Paris a couple of times. Looking for suggestions on sites to see in Amsterdam in 2 to 3 days, places to stay, etc. for a solo
female traveler.
Also open to suggestions if you think there is another city/country that would make more sense to spend a few days in before I head to Italy.
Thanks in advance for all of your help!
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4087 posts
Bologna is enough different from your other Italian destinations to merit a visit, with the added benefit of simplifying your air route. Fly into one city, home from another using a multi-destination search function.
Posted by
Chicago
8163 posts
Follow what you are thinking about first and go to Amsterdam.
For a newbie short visit simply stay at the Ibis Hotel http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-1556-ibis-amsterdam-centre/index.shtml
It is right by the central train station that runs to the airport and you can see and walk to it from there.
Don't know if you like museums but there are some great ones there. You would be better to refer to a guidebook to see what strikes your interest instead of listening to a stranger make recommendations. The old part of the city is a site to see on foot or on a canal tour itself, it is unique in Europe.
Posted by
alameda, ca, usa
2688 posts
My travels to Europe make little sense to anyone but me, because I need to end up in Budapest, so I go somewhere new that calls to me first. If you dig you can find my trip report from my trip to Amsterdam in April. I also travel solo. I found it to be a very easy city to do--express bus from Schiphol for 5 euro to my hotel, the Piet Hein, in the Museumplein area, which I loved because while there were still tourists around it also had a neighborhood feel. The canal area is beautiful--and about a 5 minute tram ride or short walk away-- but entirely too full of tourists, so I'd poke around a bit for the sites and then get out. There's plenty to see besides museums, and the museums are quite spectacular. If I were you I'd make a list of what appeals and go from there, 3 days would be enough to see quite a lot and I recommend exploring the areas just outside of tourist central, such as the 9 Streets (straat), lots of little shops and restaurants. The trams are easy and efficient and the Dutch are friendly and plenty of English is spoken.