Who: Sandra Minton and Clarence Colburn
Where: Replica of an 18th-century Dutch ship used in trade with the East Indies at the Scheepvaart Museum or Ships Museum.
Best meal: The Cuisine de la Mer Restaurant, a very upscale restaurant located in Scheveningen, the beach area of the Hague. To reach the restaurant simply take a train from Amsterdam to the Hague Central station, which is about a 45-minute ride. Leave the train station and walk straight ahead to Spui, where you board a number 1 tram or street car to the beach. Walk down the main street of the beach town and turn right at the beach. The restaurant is on the city side of the beach road near the Sculptures by the Sea Museum. Be prepared to spend the evening.
Best deals: The strippenkaart is a ticket that can be used for transport on buses and trams all over the Netherlands. These tickets can be purchased at some hotels and at the Tourist Information Offices marked with the logo VVV. The food courts in the Vroom & Dreesmann Department Stores are another great deal. These casual restaurants offer a variety of soups, salads, breads, main dishes, desserts and beverages, including wines and beers, at very reasonable prices.
Best time to go: Amsterdam is less crowded in April and May, while the beach area is best experienced in June or July.
Best travel tip: In June and July, be prepared for days of wind, rain and cool temperatures alternating with hot, muggy weather. Get a map of the tram and bus routes immediately on arrival in a city. These are available at the tourist offices. It is fairly easy to navigate the cities by getting on the right numbered transport as marked on the maps and on the front of the trams and buses.
