How to Plan a Gay-Friendly Trip to Amsterdam

Exploring Amsterdam will open your eyes to a world-class gay mecca and one of Europe's most liberal and inviting cities.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Luggage Sets
• Travel Adapters And Converters
• Internet Access
• Airline Tickets
• Alternative Lifestyle Travel Services
• Computers
• Travel Planning Software

1. Plan your trip well in advance. Make a list of the kinds of transportation, accommodations and activities you desire or need.

2. Determine your budget in advance since air, transportation, hotel and food prices can range from bargain-basement to shockingly steep.

3. Conduct research about Amsterdam via books or the Internet and look for the abundant hot travel deals offered on Web travel/auction sites. Consult a gay travel agent to ensure a gay-friendly trip.

4. Schedule your trip so that you arrive in Amsterdam between April and September, when the weather's usually mild and gay festivities abound. (Air and hotel prices can be much cheaper during the winter months, however.)

5. Catch some of Amsterdam's extremely gay-friendly festivals, such as Queen's Day and the Black Party in April, Amsterdam Gay Pride and the White Party in August and Leather Pride during the off-season in November.

6. Plan to check out one of the city's many trendy gay coffee shops or nightspots in the Warmoestraat, Reguliersdwarstraat, Amstel or Kerkstraat neighborhoods.

7. Feast your eyes on some of Europe's most celebrated art at the van Gogh Museum and Rembrandt's house. Explore haunting World War II history at Anne Frank's house and celebrate gay triumph at - yes - the Homomonument.

Tips & Warnings

• Some Web sites and books provide information for travelers with HIV or AIDS (necessary vaccines, what to eat and not to eat, where drinking tap water is safe and so on).

• Carry your passport, extra cash, traveler's checks and credit cards on your person at all times.

• Pick up a copy of "Amsterdam This Week" for a detailed events calendar. The Tourist Information Center (VVV) provides copies at the Central Train Station.

• Amsterdam is relatively small in area. Most people walk, rent bikes or take trams since taxis are very expensive.

• Convert money only at the Post Office (PTT) or GWK. Use credit cards if possible.

• The only official tourist office is the VVV.

• Marijuana is tolerated in Amsterdam. Other drugs are not.