Busabout Adventures

How it works
A Busabout Flexitrip Pass (6 or more flexistops) will give you access to the entire Busabout coach network. A flexistop is any time you jump off the coach overnight - compulsory overnight stops are indicated with red dots on the map below.

Flexitrip Passes are perfect for travellers who are looking to go from point A to point B without wanting to get the whole "Loop". Your Flexistops are valid for the entire operating season giving you maximum flexibility (thus the clever name). Break away from the network and explore destinations like Greece or Morocco. Start and finish anywhere - just keep travelling until you run out of stops, or buy more as you go.

For example : Start in Paris, Bruges, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Munich, Venice and finish in Rome - all with only 8 'flexistops'. Stay in each city as long as you like. If you'd like to make an extra 'stop' in say Salzburg, simply buy an extra 'flexistop' from your On-board Guide.

The Flexitrip Pass is valid for the entire 2008 operating season (May to October). Each "sector" may be travelled once and departures from each city are every other day.

• Start and finish anywhere.
• Travel at your own pace.
• No 'time-limit'
• Minimum recommended travel time: 18 days
• Break your loop - make it into more than one trip.
• Door to door.
• Every other day service.
• Travel Dates and Accommodation

We recommend that you utilise the "MyBusabout" feature on the website, so you can make confirmed seat reservations and pre-book you budget accommodation. Once you have booked your Busabout pass you can just log-on to the website with your booking reference number and start planning and booking your trip.

Amsterdam’s old town is so compact you’ll be able to get to all the major sights on foot or by bike. Centraal Station is the axis, from where the streets radiate outward across a network of grachten(concentric canals).

Dam Square is Amsterdam’s heart, five minutes’ walk down Damrak from Centraal Station. Leidseplein is the hub of Amsterdam nightlife, and Nieuwmarkt is a vast cobblestone square with open-air markets and popular pubs. The Red Light District is a law unto itself.

Lush 17th-century homes occupy the western canals Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht and Herengracht. The Jordaan is filled with quirky shops, bohemian bars and art galleries. Outside the canal belt is ethnic-influenced De Pijp; posh and residential Oud Zuid, east of the Damrak-Rokin axis; and Nieuw Zuid, to the west of that axis, with its 20th-century housing projects. The Eastern Docklands is a showcase of modern Dutch architecture.

Winston International(www.winston.nl;  Warmoes­straat This place has a promiscuous programming policy: electronica, spoken word, punk, graffiti art. On Sundays, it hosts Club Vegas, where the dress code is ‘jet set’ (sequins, suits, stilletos, bow ties, tiaras) and the music is lounge.

Paradiso((626 45 21; www.paradiso.nl; Weteringschans 6) This converted church is legendary. Saturdays draw smart dressers for a line-up of international DJs, while the monthly Kindred Spirits is hip-hop to the max.

Arena((694 74 44; www.hotelarena.nl; ‘s-Gravesandestraat 51) Everything from dance classics to salsa. It’s worth visiting for the interior – the chapel of this one-time orphanage has been given a lush redo.

(www.clubzyon.nl; Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 161) With silver walls and queasy pink lighting, the decor is ’70s sci fi. The music policy is accessible (Latin, R&B, commercial house) and Monday is Backpackers Night.

Winston International (www.winston.nl;  Warmoes­straat 125) This place has a promiscuous programming policy: electronica, spoken word, punk, graffiti art. On Sundays, it hosts Club Vegas, where the dress code is ‘jet set’ (sequins, suits, stilletos, bow ties, tiaras) and the music is lounge.

Paradiso(%626 45 21; www.paradiso.nl; Weteringschans 6) This converted church is legendary. Saturdays draw smart dressers for a line-up of international DJs, while the monthly Kindred Spirits is hip-hop to the max.

Arena (%694 74 44; www.hotelarena.nl; ‘s-Gravesandestraat 51) Everything from dance classics to salsa. It’s worth visiting for the interior – the chapel of this one-time orphanage has been given a lush redo.

Club Zyon (www.clubzyon.nl; Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 161) With silver walls and queasy pink lighting, the decor is ’70s sci fi. The music policy is accessible (Latin, R&B, commercial house) and Monday is Backpackers Night.

A taxi into Amsterdam from Schiphol airport takes 20 to 45 minutes and costs about €40. Trains to Centraal Station leave every 15 minutes, take 15 to 20 minutes and cost €3.10/5.50 per single/return.

Two free ferries to Amsterdam North leave every six to 10 minutes from the piers directly behind Centraal Station.

Canal Bikes (2/4-seaters per person per hour €8/7) These paddleboats can be hired from kiosks at Leidseplein, the corner of Keizersgracht and Leidsestraat, the Anne Frankhuis and the Rijksmuseum.

Canal Bus (623 98 86; day pass adult/child €15/10.50; 9.50am-8pm) Several circuits between Centraal Station and the Rijksmuseum.

Lovers Museum Boat(622 21 81; www.lovers.nl in Dutch; day pass adult/child €14.25/9.50) Stops at the Scheepvaartmuseum, Rembrandthuis, Bloemenmarkt, Leidseplein, Rijksmuseum and Anne Frankhuis.

The GVB (Amsterdam Transport Authority; %460 59 59; www.gvb.nl; Stationsplein; h7am-9pm Mon-Fri, 8am-9pm Sat & Sun) runs the network, there’s an information office in front of Centraal Station.

The best ticketing deal is the strippen­kaart: a multi-fare ‘strip ticket’ valid on all buses, trams and metros. The GVB office also sells a one-week pass valid in all zones for €16.

Night buses take over shortly after midnight when the trams and regular buses stop running. Drivers sell single tickets for €2.50, or you can stamp three strips off your strip card and pay a €1.50 surcharge (which is marginally more expensive).

Amsterdam taxis are very expensive, even over short journeys. Try Taxicentrale Amsterdam(%677 77 77).

The Amsterdam Pass (1/2/3 days €26/36/46; available from tourist offices and some hotels) contains 32 vouchers for free public transport, free entry to most museums and 25% discount on some attractions and restaur­ants.

De Eerste Lijn (The First Line; %613 02 45) Sexual violence hotline.

Police(%0900-8844 )

Centrale Bibliotheek (Main Library; %523 09 00; Prinsengracht 587; h1-9pm Mon, 10am-9pm Tue-Thu, 10am-5pm Fri & Sat, 1-5pm Sun) Free Internet.

EasyInternetcafé(www.easyeverything.com/map/ams; web access per hr from €1) Reguliersbreestraat (Reguliers­breestraat 22; 9am-10pm); Damrak (Damrak 33; h9am-10pm); Leidsestraat (Leidsestraat 24; h11am-7pm Mon, 9.30am-7pm Tue-Sat, 11am-6pm Sun)

Internet City(%620 12 92; Nieuwendijk 76; web access per hr €1.50; h

Centrale Doktersdienst (Central Doctors’ Service; %592 34 34) 24-hour service and referrals to a doctor or pharmacy.

Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis(%599 91 11; Oosterpark 9) 24-hour public hospital.

American Express (%504 87 77; Damrak 66; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-noon Sat)

GWK (%627 27 31; Centraal Station; h7am-10.45pm) Converts travellers cheques and books hotel reservations (also at Schiphol).

Thomas Cook(%625 09 22; Dam 23-25; 9am-7pm);(%620 32 36; Damrak 1-5, opposite Centraal Station; h8am-8pm daily ); Leidseplein (%626 70 00; Leid­seplein 31A;h 9am-7.30pm Mon-Sat; 10am-7.30pm Sun)

Main post office(%556 33 11; Singel 250; h9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-noon Sat)

Amsterdam Tourist Board (%0900-400 40 40; h9am-5pm Mon-Fri) Information line for hotel reservations and general queries.

Amsterdam Uitburo(%0900-0191; www.aub.nl in Dutch; Leidseplein 26; h10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 10am-9pm Thu, information & ticket line 9am-9pm) For cultural events, with free magazines and tickets at small mark-ups.

Tourist office (%0900-400 40 40; www.vvvamsterdam.nl) Stationsplein (Stationsplein 10; h9am-5pm); Centraal Track (Centraal Track 2; 8am-7.45pm Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm Sun); Leidseplein (Leidseplein 1; h9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat & Sun); Stadionplein (Stadionplein; h9am-5pm)

Amsterdam has a sizzling culinary scene with hundreds of restaurants and eetcafés catering to all tastes. The Dutch colonial legacy has introduced Indonesian and Surinamese cooking and the cuisines of many other nations are also well represented, notably Chinese, Japanese and Greek. Self-Catering

Albert Heijn (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 226) This supermarket chain also has branches at Koningsplein 6 and Museumplein.

Dirk van den Broek (Eerste van der Helststraat 25) Cut-rate groceries.

Kantjil To Go (%620 09 94; Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 342; dishes small/large €3.50/4.50; h lunch & dinner) Offers excellent, filling takeaway Indonesian (including Nasi Goreng and Gado Gado) with rice or noodles.

Eat Mode (%330 08 06; Zeedijk 107; mains €4.50-12; hlunch & dinner) Billed as an ‘Asian Fusion Kitchen: First in Chinatown’, it’s small and bright, with casual ambience, but the Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese meals are filling and tasty. There’s a good vegetarian selection, including seaweed salad, and a sushi happy hour.

Puccini (%626 54 74; Staalstraat 21; mains €5.30-12.50; h lunch & dinner Tue-Sun) Refuel on panini rolls and salads with sun-dried ingredients. Puccini also runs the chocolate and cake shop next door, where handmade sweets (like chocs blended with tamarind or lemongrass) induce rapture.

(%427 51 03; Oude Leliestraat 8; mains €6-8; h lunch & dinner) This groovy little lounge, bathed in garish colours, dishes out all-day breakfasts, healthy sandwiches, salads and various pasta dishes.

Gary’s Muffins (%421 59 30; Jodenbreestraat 15; h 9am-5.30pm) Gary used to be a professional ballet dancer; now he gets the nod for delectable fresh bagels, warm chocolate brownies and sweet and savoury muffins. There has to be a connection.

Vlaams Friteshuis (Voetboogstraat 31) This hole in the wall is Amsterdam’s best-loved fries joint, an institution since 1887. The default topping is mayonnaise, but there’s an arsenal of alternatives – peanut, say, or even green peppercorn.

Sukasari (%624 00 92; Damstraat 26-28; mains €4.75-18.50; h lunch & dinner) Decorated with Indonesian artefacts and suffused in golden lighting, Sukasari is a quiet, contemplative oasis just off the manic Dam. The excellent menu serves fragrant, authentic Indonesian, such as coconut chicken with rice.

De Bolhoed (%626 18 03; Prinsengracht 60-62; mains €6-14; h lunch & dinner) Amsterdam’s best-known vegetarian restaurant, with a prime canalside location. The food is fresh, organic, and often Mexican- and Italian-inspired. Dip into pancakes, salads, burritos, homemade breads, biological wines, organic beers and cakes.

Casa Juan (%623 78 38; Lindengracht 59; tapas €3-8, mains €12-17; h dinner) The signature dish is the paella, and it’s deservedly popular. Very popular. Be sure to book.

Memories of India (%623 57 10; Reguliersdwars­straat 88; mains €11.50-22.75; h dinner). Stylish, friendly, relaxed. That’s the winning combination, especially when combined with reasonable prices and dishes from all over India, including Paneerwala Murg: chicken pieces tossed with homemade cottage cheese, spring onion and ginger.

Tempo Doeloe (%625 67 18; Utrechtsestraat 75; mains €18-22; h dinner) The name means ‘The Old Days’ (ring a bell to gain entry) and the spice levels at this Indonesian restaurant range from mild to very hot. Reservations are essential.

Paradiso (%626 45 21; www.paradiso.nl; Weteringschans 6) The home of rock since the ’60s, the Paradiso has hosted big names like Sonic Youth, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones.

Melkweg (Milky Way; %624 17 77; www.melkweg.nl; Lijnbaansgracht 234A) A former milk factory and a top cultural venue since the 1970s, Melkweg is an all-in-one entertainment complex with an art gallery, a café, a multimedia centre and top live music most nights. On Saturdays there are two dance floors with a huge variety of beats.

Loungeroom Concerts (www.liveinthelivingroom.com in Dutch) It’s true: staying in is the new going out. On Sunday evenings, local musicians stage intimate concerts in private homes – although they’re open to the public.
Hosts provide food and drink and three performers play for 30 minutes each to a maximum of 50 people. Book well ahead.

They’re not ‘cafés’; coffee shops deal strictly in the cannabis trade.

Grey Area %420 43 01; www.greyarea.nl ; Oude Leliestraat 2) Owned by a couple of laid-back American guys, this tiny shop introduced the extra-sticky, flavourful ‘Double Bubble Gum’ weed to the city. The relaxed staff will advise on the lengthy menu.

Greenhouse (%627 17 39; Oudezijds Voorburgwal 191) Winner of many awards at the annual High Times festival, it charms smokers with its undersea mosaics, psychedelic stained-glass windows and high-quality weed and hash.

Bulldog (%627 19 08; www.bulldog.nl; Leidseplein 13-17) Amsterdam’s most famous coffee shop chain has five branches. This is the largest, with Internet facilities, two bars, pool tables, fluorescent décor and a café.

Find out what’s on in Thursday’s papers.

The Movies (%638 60 16; www.themovies.nl in Dutch; Haarlemmerdijk 161) Art-house films mixed with independent American and British at a beautiful Art-Deco cinema.

Tuschinskitheater (%626 26 33; Reguliersbreestraat 26) Features mainstream blockbusters. Worth visiting for its sumptuous Art-Deco interior, especially in its main auditorium No 1.

Nederlands Filmmuseum (%589 14 00; www.filmmuseum.nl; Vondelpark 3) Maintains a priceless archive of films, sometimes screening with live music. In summer, films are shown on the outdoor terrace at the museum’s café.

COC (%626 30 87; www.cocamsterdam.nl; Rozenstraat 14) Amsterdam’s gay and lesbian social centre, with a café and a nightclub.

Soho (%626 15 73; www.reguliersdwars.nl/soho; Reguliersdwarsstraat 36) This giant two-storey bar hums with a young, gay clientele and an increasing number of straights.

Vive la Vie (%624 01 14; Amstelstraat 7) This popular ‘lipstick lesbian’ café has loud music, large windows and flirty girls, though men are also welcome. In summer, patrons pack the outdoor terrace.

Ajax is the Netherlands’ most famous team: it has won the European Cup four times and launched Johan Cruyff to stellar heights in the ’70s. Ajax plays in the Amsterdam ArenA (%311 13 33; www.amsterdamarena.nl; Arena Blvd 11, Bijlmermeer), usually on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons during season (August to May).

Boom Chicago (%423 01 01; www.boomchicago.nl; Leidseplein 12) English-language stand-up and improv comedy is performed here year-round; the best way to see it is over dinner and a few drinks at their decent café, boomBar.

Koninklijk Theater Carré (%622 52 25; www.theatercarre.nl; Amstel 115-125; ticket office h 10am-7pm Mon-Sat, 1-7pm Sun) The largest theatre in town, with mainstream international shows, musicals, cabaret, opera, operetta, ballet and circuses. Backstage tours are at 3pm on Saturday and Wednesday.