Amsterdam and Germany in August

"My family and friends have been saying that it is extremely difficult to travel in August because most places are closed." Despite popular American perception, Europe is not a theme park that closes during certain months. The hospitality industry is not going to shut itself down during the busiest time of the year. You may find a restaurant or hotel here and there that closes temporarily, but that's about the extent. Now, if you wanted to buy an insurance policy, initiate a business case study, or conduct an audit of a government agency, you may have trouble getting full participation in the month of August. But as a tourist, you'll be fine.

Amy,, do not go to same friends and family for any more "help". I can only assume they themselves have never actually travelled in August,,since their information is incorrect.

I am not sure how you are finding the research that difficult,, have you purchased( or gone to library) and gotten any guide books yet? There are also many good travel forums( like this one) out on the web. Look for tripadvisor.com forums, and Fodors, and Lonely Planet , and Frommers etc.
Don't give up,, planning is half the fun. Just pour yourself another cup of tea, coffee or wine,, and relax on the computer for a bit. There is so much info avaialbe its hard to sift through it all.

What I can confirm from my own experiences travelling in August:

Many smaller hotels may book right up,, anywhere near the beaches for instance( Italian and French Riveria for example). Book now if those places are on your list, August is the popular holiday month,, things will be busy .

No tourist site that I have ever been to has been closed for August,in Rome , Paris , or London. I have been many times to Paris, only twice to Rome, and three times to London. All in August.

Hotels in Paris are often CHEAPER in August.

Some small businesses( shops and restos) do close in Paris,, this has never affected me,, as I said,, all tourist sites remain open, and there are literally thousands of cafes and restaurants that do not close.

For a two week trip I would plan no more then three major cities,, four max!
Travel takes time and money,,and remember first day or two you may be jet lagged.

Are your flights booked? Are you flying in and out of same city( meaning you must travel in a circle, or are you flying into Amsterdam and out of another city( best way)??

Amy, it depends on what you like to do, and where you're going. A lot of the opera houses, theatres, symphonies, etc take August off, so if that's your thing, mostly what will be left is the touristy schlecht shows. You will find some rare things closed, or with modified hours - but really in Germany or The Netherlands, it's not much of an issue.

If there are specific places you really want to go to or see that your worried, call or check their web sites, but like the others have said, I wouldn't see much of an issue.

As others have said, some family-owned business in Paris will close, but that's about it. One of the problems with August, though, is that a lot of Europeans go on vacation then, and the motorways can be packed. We've been stuck on the autobahn not moving an inch, making a 5-hour drive into an 11-hour one.

"and the motorways can be packed." For example, the Romantic Road can resemble the Romantic Parking Lot.