Customer Reviews

Lonely Planet Amsterdam

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I used this Lonely Planet guide on a recent trip to Amsterdam; it was invaluable! I planned most of my excursions based on the in-depth information provided and was never led astray. I liked how the author didn't make assumptions about my personal tastes, but covered all sorts of museums and coffeeshops and shopping leaving me free to choose my path. I also appreciated the interesting history of Amsterdam included with the book and sprinkled in throughout the neighborhood descriptions. If you are a traveller that savors the anticipation of the trip, this guide provides hours of reading before you even arrive! The maps included were all I needed to navigate the city.

Lonely Planet guidebooks have been very helpful to me when travelling throughout Asia and Europe in the past. However, I've been reading this particular guidebook on Amsterdam to plan on a vacation, and I feel like it is lacking spirit. Also, as I am a budget traveller, it only lists like three hostels to stay at..and doesnt include much information on them at all. I am somewhat disappointed...Moon Guidebooks are more interesting and comprehensive, it seems...

I am on holiday in Amsterdam as I write. This book has been invaluable in my stay. I am residing at the Hotel Prinsenhof. I doubt I would have had the good fortune to find this cozy hotel without the Lonely Planet Guide. It is faithful to the Lonely Planet format, providing detailed information including address, phone and fax numbers. There are also tips which have saved me money. One was to purchase a Year Pass for the museums. I now may visit any of the major museums as often as I like, for free. I like free. ;D If you are planning a trip to Amsterdam, or would simply like to find some things you may not have tried, yet, this book will be interesting to you.

I read most of this book through before I travelled to the Netherlands, but didn't end up using it while I was there. I used the Rough Guide far more while tramping around. It does have lots of great background information, so it was worth the time I spent reading. But it does lack spirit. If you choose this guidebook, supplement it with Joe Pauker's Cool Guide to Amsterdam, which will get you into the coffeeshops and the underground culture.

I found this very useful on a trip to Amsterdam.

the LP authors have done a good job sorting out the citys many highlight. As with all LP guides this features a useful and informative background section.
It misses out of a 5th star becaus the hostel ratings are a bit hit and miss.
Unlike other guides which make a big deal of the "sex & drugs" aspects of Amsterdam the guide tries to present the basics of the wallen (red light district) treating it much like any other part of the city. still there are some interesting listings of the brown cafes that any visitor should experience
ASsd with most LP guides the tilt is towards the independant traveller on a budget and it does a good job for that demographic. enjoy your travels.