DINING
Amsterdam has over 1,000 restaurants, with nearly every cuisine imaginable. The first night Frank, Petra and I went for Indonesian food at a place called Pelangi (tel.: 31-20-420-0670) in Rembrandt Square. There are many Indonesian restaurants, because the population is more than 2 percent Indonesian. The food at Pelangi was just fair, but the service was good and it was moderately priced. The following night the three of us went to Al Argentino (tel.: 31-20-638-9340). This restaurant also had good service and was reasonably priced, but the food again was only average. My favorite meal of the trip was a banana pancake breakfast at The Pancake Corner (tel.: 31- 20-627-6303). Amsterdam also has fast food specialties like croquettes and french fries with mayonnaise -- or better yet, peanut sauce. Street vendors are famous for selling fresh herring. But even my brother wouldn't eat one of those nasty-smelling things, and he loves seafood. (After smelling herring I now understand the Dutch proverb: "A herring a day keeps the doctor away; two herrings a day keeps everyone away.")

KEUKENHOF GARDEN
The grand finale! Holland is famous for flowers, and visitors can buy all kinds of flower souvenirs to take home, including wood carved flowers and flower bulbs at the airport (they've got agriculture-approved seals, so it's no problem bringing them into the U.S.) But the best place to see Holland's flowers is Keukenhof Gardens . Billed as "the most beautiful springtime park on earth," it is open only eight weeks each year. (Next year's dates are March 22 to May 20.) Keukenhof, about 45 minutes from the city, is a showcase for Holland's wide range of flower bulbs. Seven million bulbs are planted here each year, and the colors are outrageous. Even in the rain, this place was amazing. During the season you can reach Keukenhof directly from the city's Leiden Centraal railway station; then take bus 54 ("Keukenhof Express"). Admission to the garden: adults e12.50 ($16); seniors e11.50 ($14.50); children 4 to 11 e 5.50 ($7); 3 and under free. For more click HERE.