(Massive Trip Report) Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna, and Rome in 2 Weeks
Good morning everyone! Thanks to jet lag and time zones, I’m bringing you this massive trip report at 5AM PST. Are you ready? Let’s go!
- US Airways: SFO-PHL-AMS-PHL-LAX (30,000 US Airways miles + taxes)
- KLM: AMS-TXL, FCO-AMS (paid around $220 for both flights)
- Air Berlin and Niki: TXL-VIE, VIE-FCO (4,500 Avios + taxes for each flight)
Amsterdam
Radisson Blu Amsterdam Hotel Review
Park Plaza Amsterdam Airport Hotel Review
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is one of the most beautiful airports to fly to/through anywhere in the world. Lots of shopping, dining, and sitting areas. People speak/understand English. If you want to get to the center of the city, there is a train platform directly under the airport. The train arrives frequently and you will be at Amsterdam Centraal Station soon (cost – €4 per person). There are also several Priority Pass lounges inside the airport. This is my Holland shirt from the 2010 World Cup – I was the most casually dressed person in the lounge that day year.
On a nice sunny day (or even a cloudy/rainy day), the best way to see the city and experience a day as a local is to rent bikes. I think there are more bikes than people in the city, so finding a place to rent bikes should be easy. Some hotels, like the Andaz Amsterdam, will let you rent bikes for free. Otherwise, you can find places to rent bikes for €10-12 per person.
While on your bike, you can visit the I Amsterdam sign, take some pics, then visit the Rijksmuseum and/or Van Gogh Museum. Cost – €15 per person.
For those more adventurous/curious, a trip to Amsterdam would not be complete without a visit the Red Light District. It is free to walk down the street and wave to the pretty ladies in the windows. This part of your trip could be free if you keep walking.
Lastly, there is no better way to see the city and learn about the history of Amsterdam than a canal tour throughout the city – price is €10-12 per person.
Berlin
Holiday Inn Express City Center Berlin – €25 / night deal
Taxi to/from TXL Berlin Airport to the Holiday Inn Express Hotel – €20-25 each way
4 hour walking tour of Berlin (Viator) – €10 per person
Visit TV tower
Vienna
Train from VIE Vienna Airport to City Center – €4.20 per person
Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral – Free
Visit Schonbrunn Palace – Free
Visit cafes on the corner and eat delicious chicken snitzel, mmm
Rome
Radisson Blu Rome Hotel Review
Taxi from FCO Rome Airport to the Hotel De Monti – €55
Taxi from the Radisson Blu Rome to FCO Rome Airport – €65
Take metro around town – €1.50 per person, valid for 100 minutes
Termini Train Station to FCO Rome Airport Express Train – €14 per person
Visit Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, etc? – Free
Visit St. Peter’s Basilica – Free
Visit Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel – €16 per person
Visit Coliseum/Forum – €12 per person
Spaghetteria L’Archetto on Trip Advisor
Gelateria shops – €2 small cup, €3 medium cup, and €4 large cup
When in Rome…
Avoid the so-called Rose Men who try to give all the “pretty ladies” a rose. They insist it is free, just a gift for how beautiful you are. Don’t believe it for a second (even if you really are beautiful). Within a few minutes, they will come up to you, you will not see them coming, and ask for some change. Anything will do. Don’t give in. Tell them you have to money for them. They will angrily take the rose back from you and start looking for the next sucker. Actually it’s quite entertaining to sit and watch them work their “magic.” If you are a people watcher, this is free entertainment for you.
Déjà Vu time…
If it’s raining, the Rose Men will turn into Umbrella Guys. You will see them (multiple Umbrella Guys) at every tourist spot, near metro stations, and just about everywhere. They will have a few long thin umbrellas in one hand, and a handful of small collapsible umbrellas in the other hand. I like to carry an umbrella with me and walk close to the Umbrella Guys and if they ask if I want an umbrella, I say: “no thanks, I already have one.” I think I said that line around 40-50 one day. Just a fun game to play.
Avoid Tourist Trap restaurants…
If you are walking around a main tourist area, chances are the food is bad and overpriced. If you see words in English or a WiFi signal by the name of the restaurant, keep walking. If you see waiters standing outside, speaking perfect English and handing out menus, don’t eat there. If you want better and cheaper food, walk down a street with less people, with small restaurants only locals go to. You will notice the drastic drop in price. These are where you will get the best bang for your buck.
If you have any questions about anything mentioned above or any general questions about visiting those 4 cities, please leave a comment below.
I will be visiting Rome in March with kids. I was wondering the below:
1. Can I or should I buy the museum/attraction tickets online or beforehand?
2. Are there any particular day or time to visit the attractions that is better?
3. Should I get Dollar t Euro converted first. Where is the best place to do that (USA, Airport, Hotel, Banks in Rome etc.). Or credit card payments is OK there instead of cash?
4. Are there any Taxi scams in Rome or at the Airport? Or any other scams to be aware of?
Thanks in advance.
All great questions. If you plan to visit multiple museums, the museum pass is a great deal. Not sure which days or times are the best. I think late in the day after all the tour groups have gone through. Get Euros out of any ATM in Europe. Most retail stores and restaurants accept credit cards, but it is a good idea to have enough Euros on you in case the credit card machine/network is down. No taxi scams that I know of. You will see guys handing out roses when it is sunny and umbrellas when it is rainy. Stay away from these guys, don’t talk to them, and don’t take anything even if they say it is free. You should have a great time. If you have time, chexk out the neighboring cities as well.