Paris or Amsterdam?

[Tyrone Slothrop]

I am planning my first trip to Europe for the coming spring (sometime around March/April).

I would really like to spend the majority of my time in these two cities (for various reasons). However, it's looking like I'm only going to be able to go for 8 or 9 days. So, it seems doubtful that I'll really get to "see" and experience both cities in depth. So, I'm now trying to decide where I should spend the majority of my time. (I'll probably do 5-6 days in one and 2-3 days in the other.)

Things to consider: I'm in my late 20s, I speak French semi-decently, and I'm very interested in sampling the various sundries for sale at the Dutch coffeehouses...if you catch my drift.

Any suggestions, tips, etc., would be greatly appreciated. However, it's quite busy here at work today, and I might not be able to reply immediately so I'm thanking you in advance.

Thanks!

On edit: And, just to clarify, my interest in Amsterdam is not solely due to the legality of illicit substances. I have a genuine interest in Dutch history and several of the landmarks/museums around the Netherlands.

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

1. Amsterdam has legal weed and prostitution. Alot of French people aren't

really happy with us either, so I've Amsterdam

[democracyindanger]

2. Do A-Dam while you're still young.

You'll always have Paris.

[Phillycat]

3. Paris in the springtime? Oh yes!

[WhollyHeretic]

4. I've never been to either but Paris is going to be my first stop when I make it over

the ocean.

[Zavulon]

5. Madrid, actually.

But given your two choices, I'd say Amsterdam like a shot.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

7. One of my best friends in moving to Barcelona next summer

So I'm probably going to wait and do Spain next fall when I'll have free lodgings.

Thanks for the tip though!

[MrCoffee]

14. i'm retiring to barcelona when the time comes...

it's my favorite city in all the world.

[MrCoffee]

6. amsterdam. paris sucks.

paris is dirty and gross. i got peed on on the Metro.

go to amsterdam.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

9. That subject line would make sense in my copycat poll

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5895247

[MrCoffee]

12. it would only encourage me to vote for her.

[jonnyblitz]

8. I prefered Amsterdam but I also spent more time there than Paris

but I am partial to Amsterdam to begin with. :shrug:

also, Paris is only 4 hours via Thalys train from Amsterdam so perhaps you could do both..

[Tyrone Slothrop]

11. As I said, I'm going to try and do both

But I'll be more based (and spending a lot more time) in one than the other. So I'm trying to decide which should be my HQ, so to speak.

[jonnyblitz]

13. I am biased so i won't say anymore.

my sister and her family used to live in Amsterdam so I spent a bit of time there. It's much smaller than Paris and I am sure Paris has much more culteral value to those who determine such things. Berlin isn't all that far away either. I am gay and i had gay local friends there and they went to Berlin when they wanted to go elsewhere for excitement.

here is a guide book for Amsterdam you should check out. "Get Lost" the Cool Guide To Amsterdam.

http://www.amazon.com/Get-Lost-Cool-Guide-Amsterdam/dp/9076499039

sigh, I miss it there. :(

[Tyrone Slothrop]

15. Is there good gay nightlife in Amsterdam?

I'm straight, so it's not that big of a deal to me, but one of my best friends (who is gay) is potentially coming and would perhaps sway him one way over the other.

[jonnyblitz]

18. oh hell yeah there is quite the scene.

they even have a "homo monument" near the gay tourist kiosk.

it's all in that book i sent you the link to along with other sub cultural type spots plus the mainstream places.

[kwassa]

10. I like both of them very much.

I find Paris more interesting, mostly from the culture standpoint, though there is lots of good art in Amsterdam, too. I would like to live in Paris for a year or so.

Most of the Dutch speak English, which makes travel there a little easier. Paris has a great Metro, which makes it easy to get around.

And Barcelona is great, my favorite city in Spain by far. Madrid, not so much.

[mainegreen]

16. Amsterdam is not what it once was.

Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Den Haag are having many *issues* they did not used to have.
Kinda sad really.

[Lowell]

17. I've been to both and prefer

Paris anyday. I used to ride to Paris and points south every weekend when I was stationed in Germany. The food and wine are great. The sheer beauty of the countryside is enough to take your breath away.

Amsterdam is ok, but I don't like drugs or prostitutes, so all that is left is the beer.

If you speak French you'll love it. There are some assholes who will correct your pronunciation or grammar, but when you tell them you're a fucking Cajun everything changes. They love hearing about the French enclaves in north america.