BASE IN HOLLAND

My wife and I spent 4 nights in Amsterdam last April. No need to be worried , it's a very safe city. Have a safe trip !!!!

I liked Delft a lot. Easier to see on foot and to park in and drive in and out of than A'dam (if you are driving.) Nijmegen is a long ways out. Are you headed elsewhere? You might see it on your way out of the NL.

We like Delft too, and have stayed there twice for a total of nine nights. The Leeuwenbruge Hotel is about midpoint between the train station and the town square. There's an alley walkway from there to the flower market and more shops. The tourist information office is helpful. The final thing is that Delft is less expensive than any place We have stayed in in Amsterdam

Thanks for the posts. I didn't mention that we will be travelling by train or foot.

Amsterdam is totally safe as a base. No problem. The Jordaan area is very quiet and beautiful. Walking distance to tourist attractions. Anne Frank house is in this area. Hotel Estherea is a great place to stay. Delft & Leiden make great daytrips.

My husband and I spent part of a day in Haarlem a few years ago. I loved that town. If you stay or even go visit, be sure to see the Ten Boom house. This is where Corrie Ten Boom and her family hid resistance fighters and Jews during WW2. They do guided tours. We also did the Anne Frank house and liked this tour much better. It's a must see!

Jane, Given the fact that some of the sights you want to see are in Amsterdam (Anne Frank House, canals, etc.), it would be better to use that as your "home base", in order to reduce transportation times and costs. Is there a particular reason that you're "leary" of staying in Amsterdam? I was there in September, and found it to be very safe. However, as in any European city, be sure to wear Money Belts. Happy travels!

Ken,
I've been reading about pick-pockets, noisy hotel rooms, etc. We will probably be out in the evening and will want to walk back to our hotel, and since it is a very liberal city, just want to be sure we are safe. I have also been reading that it is one of the safest cities in Europe. My mind is a little more at ease now, but I am finding difficulty in reserving a reasonably priced hotel...any suggestions??? Thanks to all for your advice!

If you are interested in the Anne Frank house you may also be interested in the Dutch Resistance Museum which is much more comprehensive regarding the Nazi occupation.

Jane, I stayed in This Hotel when in Amsterdam in September. At that time it was called the Acro Hotel but it appears to have been renamed. They were renovating at the time, so I guess they "renovated" the name too! The Hotel is in a great location, as the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are each about a five minute walk. Rather than walking back to your Hotel while touring, you might consider getting an OV Chipcard which allows passage on the excellent public transit system. Check This Website for further information. There's a Tram Stop within about a two-minute walk from the front door of the Hotel. The cards are fantastic - simply board the Tram and "touch" the card on the reader. Touch the Reader again when you disembark. Cheers!

Jane, We've been to Amsterdam at least 5 times and my teens wander it, so I think you are safe. Only one time have I seen an area I didn;t care for and that was just the feeling that underpasses are dark & usually dirty places. Amsterdam is not an inexpensive city: highly suggest you look at Rick's suggested hotels in his guidebook. You'll get a good idea of what hotels cost there. We've stayed at the Hestia, the Ibis at Centraal Station, the Movenpick all with good results according to need. The Hestia is tucked away on a quiet street, but close enough to the Leidesplein for transportation and amusement. Have been to Delft and Haarlem and a couple more little towns but prefer to be in Amsterdam for the culture.
I especially like the "9 little streets" for wandering, btw.