The Netherlands--October

[DaveM]

Since Songdragon seems to have started a Rudie tradition of traveling to the civilized side of the Atlantic, I am in the planning stages of a trip to some part of Europe in the fall. As Janis will be playing the Netherlands during that month, I wonder if I might be able to hook up with some of the Dutch Rudies and take in a few Janis evenings along the way. Maybe I can even beg a place to sleep somewhere for a night or two (I can sleep on the soft side of a board--not sure about my traveling companion, mind).

Anyone wishing to make the acquaintance (or re-acquaintance) of a semi-ugly American who just might be dropping out of the skies over Amsterdam this fall, please get in touch. I've never been to that part of the world, but what finer reason could I ask?

[DaveM]

Still developing my very tentative plans--airfares are somewhat higher than I expected but still definitely doable. Embarrassingly, I know next to nothing about the Netherlands apart from having a map and some stories from friends who have visited Amsterdam. Can anyone recommend a good travel guide or pass along any personal suggestions? I've thought of talking with my brother's neighbor, who was in the Dutch Resistance during WWII, but strongly suspect she would simply direct me to the various trees she climbed to take potshots at the Germans!

So....if Janis will not come to Minnesota....perhaps Minnesota will have to come to Janis.

[Chet]

Try this, DaveM - www.google.com

[DaveM]

I'm doing that, Chet....so far I have found out that the cheapest flights to Amsterdam seem to be via IcelandAir, believe it or not. Is anyone here familiar with their service? For a small amount more I can fly on KLM, which I know has a good reputation.

[Agnes]

Hi Dave, I found you this one

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Netherlands


If you want some specific info on Amsterdam, you could visit this site:

http://www.visitamsterdam.nl/

[gisli]

I'm doing that, Chet....so far I have found out that the cheapest flights to Amsterdam seem to be via IcelandAir, believe it or not. Is anyone here familiar with their service? For a small amount more I can fly on KLM, which I know has a good reputation.

So great that you are going to see Janis in Holland, DaveM. That is just so great.

But about IcelandAir, it has a very good service in their flights. It is long between the seats so you can stretch your legs.....unless you are like Kareem Abdul Jaffar.....they serve good food on flights and all the airplains are new. They have tv screens over every second row of seats and usually show great films and tv shows so you want be bored....unless of course they would be showing "Your Film".....Let me see how can I show more off about my icelandic company????????Ohh yes the flight attendance are very helpful and beautyful people.

DaveM, in short it is a very good company with a very good service, it is not a low budget airline, but because they fly a lot to the States they often offer very low airfairs to Europe. Take my word for it they are your best choice.

[DaveM]

Thanks you, Gisli--I had expected that the cheapest airfares from here would be via Minnesota-Based Northwest, which has a partnership with KLM. But IcelandAir beat them by close to $100 per round trip ticket. With only one stop and a brief layover in Reyjkavik--doesn't sound bad at all!

[Eva]

If you like to hang around in the 'underground' scenes instead of the regular touristplaces, then check out
www.underwateramsterdam.com
Pip (the maker) makes a very good agenda & she knows Amsterdam really well.

Eva

[DaveM]

As a general rule, I prefer to stay away from the "tourist traps"--one truly sees the country by avoiding them. My approach to travel is very much of the "grab the backpack and see where we land" school.

Could it be that I will have a chance to meet not only Rudies, but Pirates? I wonder if RedJack would fit in my luggage?

[Chet]

DaveM - I find it interesting that you are making plans to travel across the pond to see Janis, but are not able to accept a free ticket to see her nearer home. I guess SongDragon's travel bug has been passed to you. :D

[DaveM]

Chet--the airfare to Iowa would be at least $200 more than a ticket to Amsterdam right now! See my post on the Cedar Rapids thread.

[david uk]

Dave, looking forward to meeting you!

Songdragon at the LRC, DaveM in Amsterdam, where will it end...??

Dar, fancy getting on a plane? Seeing Janis in the home of the stroopwaffel.....:p

[Cardiffgal]

Chet I know it is hard to believe but Cedar Rapids is not a hot spot in the US and does not have great air service from everywhere.

I waited too long to get my ticket to Chicago so I am using miles, which is probably why I waited too long to get my ticket. But AA wanted $1400 round trip last Friday for the 4 hour flight each way from San Diego to Chicago. I think at one time I could have gotten it for about $250.

In the US there are really only two ways to get cheap tickets and really only one way to make sure you get where you want to go. BOOK EARLY - and get some one of the "leader fare" seats or hope for space and book last minute.

Janis must be booking some of the midwest college towns - cause why else would you go to Cedar Rapids? Sorry I know now when I run for nationwide office I can just forget winning Iowa :D

[Chet]

Lori - Janis mentioned in the thread offering free tickets to the Cedar Rapids show that her booking agent screwed up that booking.

[DaveM]

I suppose I will have to import a case of stroopwaffels....I wonder if Homeland Security will allow them to pass?

[Dar]

Dave, looking forward to meeting you!

Songdragon at the LRC, DaveM in Amsterdam, where will it end...??

Dar, fancy getting on a plane? Seeing Janis in the home of the stroopwaffel.....:p


Janis AND the home of stroopwafels.....not to mention DaveM and pirates and dykes....oh I mean dikes ;) Very VERY tempting but my time off work is already very scheduled, what with the trip to Pittsburgh and then a trip and long visit from my parents, going to Europe is not on the agenda this year.

I'll just have to live vicariously through all your stories once again.

[Eva]

I would love to meet all you Rudies. With or without the stroopwafels.

Eva

[DaveM]

Now, Dar, you and Peggy should come too--that would allow the lot of us to haul twice as many stroopwaffels.

I have heard that in Amsterdam, there is a statue erected in honor of a "historical figure" which no one in the Netherlands has ever heard of. That is, Pieter, the boy who stuck his finger in the dike. It is an American story, but so many tourists demanded to see where he had performed his heroic feat that someone finally put up a statue to placate them.

No puns intended in the above paragraph.