Worth braving the weather in late Nov/Dec?

[Cisco]

Are you serious ? Yep the whole city of Amsterdam shuts down mid November as its to cold wet and miserable , streets deserted no one can bear it


Ffs that's what winter coats , thermals/fleeces , scarfs , hats , gloves , many Coffeeshop hot chocolates and copious amounts of cannabis and hashish are for !!!!

[mrdcotor]

It probably won't be this bad!

http://schlijper.nl/archive/2010/01/06/.thumb

but it could be

I was there that time and it was AWESOME
True dutch experience.

[Keysertx]

Thanks for the input guys. I wish I could see the youtube video someone posted, but apparently it's blocked in the states lol. I did see that snowstorm in the pictures from the other link though. that looked very pretty (and pretty damn cold). i think we're going to go ahead and book it. obviously, we'd prefer warmer weather, but warmer weather=2013....and who the hell knows what the 'Dam will be for a couple of foreigners like us with the political situation.

now all we have to do is decide if we want to go out for the December 5 holiday or for the "official" xmas over the 25th. not a bad decision to be stuck with. =) Thanks again folks. can't wait to get back there.

[notsofasteddie]

Thanks for the input guys. i think we're going to go ahead and book it.

Good Choice!! If the Dutch don't get their heads on straight, it may never be the same after 12/31/2012! I know that I will miss the Amsterdam that was, if it comes to that!!

[Cudi_420]

I've been to Amsterdam/Europe three times: twice in the middle of summer, and once in February.

I'm from Melbourne, Australia, and which is probably the coldest city in Australia, but nothing prepared me for London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague in February. I had two Superdry jackets with me but if you're not used to the weather it can be quite tiring and painful.

I'm not a fan of summer but when I do return it'll either be August-October, or April-June. November-March is just too damn cold for me. But I would absolutely love to spend Christmas/NY in Europe some time.

[Old Fart]

Thanks for the input guys. I wish I could see the youtube video someone posted

You need a PC. The bastards that own the music won't allow it to be played on mobile devices or anywhere in Germany for some stupid reason.

[fscrissey420]

now all we have to do is decide if we want to go out for the December 5 holiday or for the "official" xmas over the 25th. not a bad decision to be stuck with. =) Thanks again folks. can't wait to get back there.

Go over christmas and go a few days before to enjoy the christmas markets. Seeing the Nutcracker ballet would also be very festive. If you're there on New Year's watch out for the firecrackers - they shoot everywhere!

Ear muffs and a good scarf are mandatory - your face will get very cold! It's really beautiful in Europe at Christmas and if you have snow all the better. Have a great time and if we can pull together the funds we will see you there for a TnT!

[Smith2]

For those of us in the UK, of course, the question is simply would you rather have cold and wet and dark and dreary weather in London or Inverness or Snodland, where you may or may not be lucky enough to score something decent to smoke (and remember the traditional Xmas droughts), or the same sort of thing in Mokum, where there are enough places to duck into for shelter offering a generous choice of things that may be smoked openly.

It isn't one of those questions that I had to wrestle with for a great deal of time. Particularly as this might be the last hurrah (but probably won't be).

[piedpiperofvice]

I was there in december of 2010..stranded like half of europe
any of the locals can confirm just how cold it was the snow was nee high
still there is a cosy fealing in the coffeeshops during the winter..i can still smell the coffee and weed

I was there,also, during the Dec 2010 snowstorm..I loved it but I am from Midwest us and am used to shit weather and actually like it.I would say it wasn't so bad for most folks. My friend hates cold weather so she was bitching up a storm.was thete end of Jan 2008 and it was in the 60's Fahrenheit.like dpjsoulja says the coffeeshops were quite cozy even in the worst weather;

[Not_the_monk]

For those of us in the UK, of course, the question is simply would you rather have cold and wet and dark and dreary weather in London or Inverness or Snodland, where you may or may not be lucky enough to score something decent to smoke (and remember the traditional Xmas droughts), or the same sort of thing in Mokum, where there are enough places to duck into for shelter offering a generous choice of things that may be smoked openly.

It isn't one of those questions that I had to wrestle with for a great deal of time. Particularly as this might be the last hurrah (but probably won't be).

Precisely my logic for booking a quick weekend trip in early December. Cold, wet and depressing in the UK, or cold, wet and magical in Amsterdam... there really isn't much to consider

[fox4]

We that is my Wife and I (I'm in my 60's) have been over on both Months in November it was Jumpers in the Day and Coats at night seemed warmer than the UK. If your going in December cover up all exposed parts, we went over with just big coats but once we started walking round ended up buying Scarf,Gloves and a Hat then it was fine as said already most Coffeeshops are Warm and inviting and a Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows in front of you is bliss.
If you do go in December pick the First Weekend as they have 2 Christmas's over there and the First one for St. Nicholas is the First Weekend in December and it's lovely then.

[jst23]

I went at the start of Feb when there were those bad snow storms. Yes it was horribly cold, but coffee shops have heating

[Oxcasual]

I went with the wife last December for a few days & have to say its the coldest I've been in a while once the cold gets under the skin, walking the streets in the wind, rain & icey sleet wasn't much fun. But as people have said, wear the correct clothing & you'll be fine. Coming from the UK its nothing we don't get over here in the winter months.

We are having a long weekend in Dam again this December, so it couldn't of been that bad.

Slighty different, but 3 or 4 years ago I went with a mate in the first week of April. The weather in the UK was cold & horrible, so took coats, jumpers etc. But we found ourselves wishing we brought shorts & t-shirts as Amsterdam experienced a freak heatwave.

I don't think it matters what month you go, its still Amsterdam. I'd swap a hot summer UK day for cold day in Dam anyday (& I prefer warmer weather).

[Old freak]

As someone mentioned earlier, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad planning. The Christmas markets throughout Europe are lovely and realty help remind you of the season and time of year. And you never know what the weather will do. Went last year around 14 Nov and the weather was sort of mild. Really loved the low slanted light in the late afternoon. Makes it so hard to leave no matter what time of year. Good luck and be prepared; you'll have a great time no matter what.

[Old Fart]

Thanks for the input guys. I wish I could see the youtube video someone posted

You need a PC. The bastards that own the music won't allow it to be played on mobile devices or anywhere in Germany for some stupid reason.

Fixed, the other music was much better...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FibqsERZekc