We have booked a hotel about 20 minutes from the airport called Hotel van Kasteelen Frans van Mierisstraat 34 for 2 nights before the cruise and one night upon our return to Amsterdam. It "includes breakfast, including service charge, excluding taxes, including VAT" I wonder what sort of service charge there is and I am aware of the city tax at 5% but does anyone know of more taxes? Is this a fair price per night?

We can cancel up to 72 hours before arrival and I thought that at least we could do something more adventuresome for the last night of the trip. Does anyone have an alternate suggestion i.e. B&B? Our friends have booked a houseboat.

Is there anywhere to get a good city map here so I can become somewhat familiar with each city as Bob and I love to walk and tour outside as much as we do visiting museums etc.

I am now working on Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Oslo. There certainly is a lot of information to sift through.

Thanks for any input, Pat in Haydon