Question for Ine

[pacmom]

We will be in Amsterdam pre cruise on Nov 30th. Saw there was a "Funky Santa" market that day. Do you know anything about it? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Pat

[Ine]

I had not heard about it, but google was my help.

It is a special market organised for Dec. 5. That day kids in NL get presents from Sinterklaas (a nephew of Santa Claus) His helpers are called zwarte Piet (black Pete). More about that here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas.

I am not sure if you will like it, you might finds lots of kids (wiuth parents) on that market. On the other hand you get a small impression about this dutch festivity.

Maybe google can translate this for you: http://www.sundaymarket.nl/agenda/30-november.

 

In Amsterdam centre most shops will be open on Sundays between 12 and 5 anyway.

[pacmom]

Ine,

Thank you for the quick reply. We are torn between going to Haarlem on the 30th and the Sunday market. It looks like the only Christmas market in Haarlem is on Dec 14th--we will be back home by then.

It is wonderful t have so many choices of things to do during our fourth visit to Amsterdam. Again many thanks. Pat

Edited November 15, 2014 by pacmom

[rothbury]

Another question for INE!

 

Do you know if this carries over to Saturday, December 6? That is the day we arrive in Amsterdam. It looks like something we might want to avoid.

[Seattitude]

Hi Ine, I found an old post of yours from 2005 about getting from Ijmuiden to Amseterdam. Can you give me an update on how to do this as easily and cheaply as possible. We are getting off the ship in Ijmuiden and will spend 3 days in Amsterdam before flying home. I am also wondering about buying the IAmsterdam card. Would I be able to use that to get into Amsterdam from Ijuiden? Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

Jodie

[Ine]

Another question for INE!

 

Do you know if this carries over to Saturday, December 6? That is the day we arrive in Amsterdam. It looks like something we might want to avoid.

 

The Sinterklaas festivities end at Dec. 5., when he sails back to Spain (!!??).

In The Netherlands Xmas markets are less populair and I think also less interesting then in Germany.

So on Dec. 6 everything is as usual.

[Ine]

Hi Ine, I found an old post of yours from 2005 about getting from Ijmuiden to Amseterdam. Can you give me an update on how to do this as easily and cheaply as possible. We are getting off the ship in Ijmuiden and will spend 3 days in Amsterdam before flying home. I am also wondering about buying the IAmsterdam card. Would I be able to use that to get into Amsterdam from Ijuiden? Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

Jodie

 

 

The I Amsterdam or any other card arenot valid in IJmuiden. Depending how much luggage you have, there is a regular bus from IJmuiden to Amsterdam Marnixstraat. (not centraal station) It is a short walk, but propably you have to cross an unpaved path to the stop.

You can use google maps to find the exact locations as help.

Otherwise your best option is to take the shuttlebus offered by the cruiseline.

On this site you can check the times for the regular bus, by your time put in the right day and time.

http://9292.nl/en/journeyadvice/ijmuiden_veerhaven-veerbootterminal/amsterdam_bushalte-busmarnixstraat/departure/2014-11-20T0956#

[Ine]

The Sinterklaas festivities end at Dec. 5., when he sails back to Spain (!!??).

In The Netherlands Xmas markets are less populair and I think also less interesting then in Germany.

So on Dec. 6 everything is as usual.

 

In case you are looking for something special, this website might help you

http://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/Experience/What%20to%20do/Activities%20and%20excursions/Excursions

and

http://www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/Ndtrc/Amsterdam%20Light%20Festival

Edited November 20, 2014 by Ine

[pacmom]

Ine,

The above two sites are wonderful, especially the one about the light show. We have decided to skip Haarlem and go to the Sunday market in Amsterdam and go on the Canal tour on either Sunday or Mon Dec. 1st whichever our traveling companions opt for. Am going to share the light show info with the Christmas Market roll call.

Again, many thanks.

Pat