Thinking going abroad

[watforddude]

Hey guys,

I'm planning to go to Ampsterdam in July but non of my close buddies can afford it so I know you guys with your wealth of knowledge can help.

Are there any websites/forums that you can go on to find other people who want to go away in a group or in twos who also have this kind of situation. I've looked for group travel but nothing as specific for what I'm trying to find, there surely has to be that kind of thing around.

Cheers guys.

Tom

[Larkspeed]

First is Amsterdam

What are you hoping to save by going in a group?

If you are going by ferry you won't save anything because your individual fare will still be the same in a group or not.

If you are flying again a group is not going to make it any cheaper as your individual fare to get on the plane will be unaffected.

The only possible saving I can see would be splitting of cabin cost if you are going P&O ferries overnight out of hull. But then if you ring them you can get a shared cabin anyway. They just take say a 4 berth cabin and put 4 individuals who want to share in it at a cut rate.

If car pooling is what you had in mind really unless it's your car your not really saving anything as you can easily take a train or bus for probably about the same as your share of car costs would be.

[streetster]

Are you trying to find people to go with to save money, or just so you have some people to hang out with?

I'd recommend just going and staying in a hostel, should bump into enough like-minded people

[watforddude]

Just to chill with and going for the same reasons as me, not fussed about saving money.

I hate being the only one with a decent job in my group of friends lol

[KeyboardDemon]

I have a friend who arranges carnival trips to places like Amsterdam etc... sadly he has nothing planned for July and all of his next few events are already fully booked.

If you are into things like clubbing you might find a package tour that caters for your tastes.

Also have you asked in a travel agents? Strange as it might seem, but if you are asking the question, it's quite likely that countless other people have found themselves in the same position as you.

Last option is you help finance some of your best/closest friends and work out a way in which they can pay you back or look for budget accommodation such as ETAP or Formula 1 Hotels where they have rooms that are more like cubicles than rooms but fine if all you want is a place to stay and dump your clothes. I think ETAP can do 2 rooms for 4 adults staying over 3 nights for about £50 if you book early enough.

[Larkspeed]

Also I would point out that if your purpose for visiting Amsterdam is the coffee shop, motivation for a lot of visitors, I would check the status of the laws.

I don't know if it has hit Amsterdam yet but they are banning tourists from Coffee shops here, only dutch residents allowed.

I don't think it's supposed to hit Amsterdam until late 2012 or early 2013 but if that's why you are coming better to check than be disappointed.

[MadduckUK]

I don't think it's supposed to hit Amsterdam until late 2012 or early 2013 but if that's why you are coming better to check than be disappointed.

the end of 2013 - and for resin, not green.

go to Amsterdam

[Larkspeed]

resin has nothing to do with it, it is a blanket ban on tourists in coffee shops.

The licensing is getting changed so they are classed as private clubs with a maximum membership of 1500 people per club and you must be a dutch resident to get membership.

Once the ban comes in tourists will no longer be able to legally purchase marijuana in The Netherlands.

The ban you are referring to is a content ban that was discussed restricting coffee shops from selling anything with a THC content above 15%

[TheAnimus]

I hate being the only one with a decent job in my group of friends lol

Totally sucks doesn't it!

But first off, you can always just go on your own, if you stay at a hostel and are outgoing you'll probably make a few friends, always fun when you don't speak a common language very well. I have a theory that even the worst language speakers can learn how to order a beer in such environments within 5 minuites.

[watforddude]

Just done a quick google and can't find any solid dates for when this rule comes into affect. Maybe it already has?

[BlackDwarf]

I was there at the start of Feb and had no issues

[TheAnimus]

Just done a quick google and can't find any solid dates for when this rule comes into affect. Maybe it already has?

Going to Amsterdam just for weed is quite silly really.

It's got an awful lot going on and it would be a shame to not take the time to see plenty of the vibrant offerings of such a place.

Oh and I don't just mean going to a whore.

[shaithis]

Going to Amsterdam just for weed is quite silly really.

It's got an awful lot going on and it would be a shame to not take the time to see plenty of the vibrant offerings of such a place.

Going for the weed ensures "vibrant offerings"!

Oh and I don't just mean going to a whore.

but, while in Rome.......

[Kata]

My favourite thing about the red light district is the enormous flock of swans that lives there.

[BlackDwarf]

My favourite thing about the red light district is the enormous flock of swans that lives there.

Haha, they were frightening.

Also, TheAnimus, why can't you go to Amsterdam and enjoy everything? I enjoyed the vibrant offerings (not a whore), as well as partaking in a coffee shop... One doesn't necessarily limit the other.

[watforddude]

I'm not going just for the weed, I'm going for the scenery/people/sights.

obviously the cafes will play a big part in my going.