In my version of the script, the Music Hall casts me in "Into the Woods" and "The Diary of Anne Frank," giving me a two week time frame to visit Amsterdam. This would be during the first two weeks of October. (What should I wear this time of year? I'm used to upstate New York.) My chief concern is seeing the Anne Frankhuis, the Joodmuseum and the Jewish Quarter. I will probably buy a Museumjaarkaart and rent a bicycle. And stay in a hostel (Bob's? the Beagle? Stayokay?). The hostel is really important---does it have a kitchen for guests and a refrigerator so I can go to the market and cook for myself; does it have a free breakfast; is smoking allowed. I'd like to cycle to Haarlem on day and perhaps up the Isselmeer to Hoorn another day. That depends on the weather. And I'd like to meet some people just ot talk to them and listen to them, and have a drink, of course. And coffeeshops that believe in welcoming you with quality all around. Any suggestions or things I haven't though of?

Those are some good questions profschmitt, I will look around for you in regards to those questions, but i know there are some here who have much more experience in Amsterdam than I do. I pretty much have to go by my 2 day visit there a couple years back and what I find online.

I think it may be hard to find a hostel with all the things your looking for, but not to hard if your willing to comprimise, here are a couple options:

Jonas Houseboat, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Crooked House, Amsterdam, Netherlands

You can browse through some of them and pick the one best suited for you Amsterdam Hostels

You will enjoy you stay there i am sure, the arts, the architecture, the overall vibe of that city is amazing.

Thats pretty much what i gotta say about that, but there will be others to jump on this thread I am sure.

Oh ya, WELCOME TO THE BOARDS!!!! B)

I am off to Amsterdam in a couple of days, and I will post some info for you while I am there and when I get back :D

profschmitt, i have found some info that you might find interesting, here are some art realted places to see...

The Rembrandt Museum,4 Jodenbreestraat tel: 020520 0400

Amsterdam Historical Museum:92 Kalverstraat Tel: 0205231822

Rijks Museum 42 Stadhouderskade Tel 020674 70 00

Art and Antique centre 109 Elandsgracht Tel: 020 624 90 38

Smelik and Stokking Galleries 572 Spiegelkwartier tel: 020 622 54 96

Donkersloot Gallery 76 Leidsegracht Tel: 31 20 5722722

Frans Hals Museum 62 Groot Heiligland Tel: 0235115775

Anne Franks House 267 Prinsengracht Tel 0205567100

And if you need any art supplies Van Der Linde Art Supplies 36-38 Rozengracht Tel : 31 (0) 6242791

Just wanted to show you you have not been orgotten about!!!! B)