Amsterdam & Noord Holland

By all means visit the markets, but watch out for pick pockets, they are very organised and experienced. Special places to visit include the Royal Palace, Madame Tousaude's for some local wax and if you must, a local coffee shop, but then remember the first item. Amsterdam isn't that representative of Holland any more, if you really want to experience it, head to one of the smaller towns. Centraal Station will take you pretty much anywear quickly and easily. If you are there and they do a public address warning about the pick pockets, don't do what everyone else automatically does, which is clap their hands to where they keep their wallets. Anyone would think the crims were paying the people to do the PA's lol.

Definately hire a bike. That was you get the real experiance of amsterdam.

Grasshopper a must! Great selection

Alkmaar is above all Holland's cheese town. During the season from the first Friday of April to the first Friday of September a traditional cheese market is being held here on Friday mornings between 10 and 12.30. The cheeses are sold by dealers on a clap of hands. Thereupon the 400 year old cheese porters' guild goes into action, carrying the cheese off on barrows after the lot has been weighed at the Waag (the official scales). In the Waaggebouw - in which the scales are housed - a cheese museum that tells everything about dairy farming has been established.

Alkmaar is historical with around 400 monuments. The Waag, dating back in its earliest form to the 14th century, the 16th century town-hall, Grote St. Laurens Church and the many courtyards, facades and canals give the town an ambience all of its own. With the past as a setting, the town has a modern stock of shops offering a wide choice. Besides the predominantly small shops in the old centre, the Noorder Arcade with large scale shopping facilities stands by the side of the Noord Holland Canal.

Alkmaar is the biggest town in the region and therefore also its centre for going out. There is a range of restaurants of various kinds, pavement cafés and coffee houses, as well as theatres and museums. Numerous events are also organised including The Relief of Alkmaar, Culinary Plaza and Cheese Town Jazz. Relaxation can also be found in the Geestmerambacht recreational area close by, and the parks and sports facilities.

If you plan to travel during the summer, make sure you reserve a hotel/hostel far ahead. However, if you do find yourself lacking an accomodation, the airport hotel is only a quick train ride away.

nice!

Excellent, fun city. Lots of brilliant musems to check out. Take a canal ride, watch the world go by with a glass of wine or a cold beer at one of the many cafe/bars. Personally I stay away from the red light district. Stag do's are rife here.

about an hr from Amsterdam, this is a quaint little town with shopping streets, cafes, bars. ery relaxed.

Hilversum has NOTHING for tourists. Don't waste your time.

Great place to visit, very good night life.