Traveling to the Netherlands... any tips on hobbying while there?  Do I really need to find an escort, or isn't there supposed to be a fabulous "shopping" district?  Any tips from seasoned travelers??

I haven't been to an escort there but I would still go with an escort.  I've been to the redlight district and there are too many rules, I think it was like 50 euro for 15 minutes, one position, no oral.  I was a n00b though so who knows.

Been several times.  Oral is standard, usually covered.  It's generally 50 Euro for "a suck and a fuck" as they say, one pop.  Yeah, if you want to go longer than 15 mins, bring more cash and settle on a rate beforehand.  Upselling is common, everyone seems to try to upsell something during the sessions.

The red light district is pretty fun to wander around, but I have to say I found my faves while wandering the more intimate and less crowded alleys.  You can still spot the providers (they all have red-lit windows, even away from The District), and some may entice you in with a special if it's slow.

No Cameras.  Seriously.  Bouncers will appear out of thin air and your camera will come into hard contact with the ground shortly thereafter.  If you're lucky that's all that will happen.

I am not sure I'd bother with the red light girls, knowing what I know now about other more personal options.  But that's all I've had there, to date.

Fun place, Amsterdam.

For obvious reasons, things are in many ways very different in Amsterdam that is in the states. Imho (from a little experience and from talking to others), you are going to have better luck at the sex clubs/houses than you will in the Red Light District.  Escorts are also hit and miss in Amsterdam.

A big HOWEVER though, things will be changing there as the RLD is being dismantled (the famous area that is).  So, who knows how the industry will change over there.

...Scandanavian blue-eyed blondes.  When I was there almost all the women were imports from Africa, South America, Asia.  I'm sure there are probably more Russians, Poles etc in the mix now though.  
I found it interesting and fun to browse through, but not really sexy at all.
MVR

I have always had great luck at the Yab Yum.
It's the top of top for Amsterdam.

However, K5 in Prague has exceeded it.

As for the red light district, the quality of girls has gone down hill over the last 10 years.
In the red light district when I find a girl that looks arousing I always tell her I want 30min for everything. They will say well no anal or whatever their limits are. You can negotiate but don't push too hard or you will get lack luster service. I have better experiences in the day than night.
Also the RL girls are very picky, if you are strange, african, or something they don't like they will quote a very high price to get rid of you.

good luck and don't miss the yab yum, it's worth the price!

I wouldn't go there expecting to find great women or great sex clubs.  It used to be a center for sex and BDSM clubs.  Most of these are now tourist traps. Red light district girls are really not of high quality in terms of service and (forgive this) looks.

You can, I am told, find high class ladies but this is hard just walking in.

On the other hand,you can get stoned legally on very good grass and hash.  The food is great and the town is very nice and fun.

THANKS!  I appreciate the tips.  About the Yab Yub... is it really worth it?  I see there's a 70EURO cover fee, how much more should I expect to pay inside for fun?  Is it nickel-and-dime, pay for this, pay for that, or is it pay a fee and enjoy yourself?  I really appreciate the replies, many many thanks.

gotta concur w/everything that's been said so far about the amsterdam "experience."  wrote about it recently in a post on this board about hobbying abroad.  u can search it out.

bottom line: the fantasy is WAY better than the reality.  dont expect buxom blonde bettina to service u with a cute swedish/nordic accent.  more like middle aged maria from moldovia (or south america).  i NEVER had a GFE while there.  all biz. very clinical. wam bam, thank u..."now get out!"   then again, with LUCK, u might get lucky and have an alternate experience, but the odds are against it.

u'll have a better time if u put the "hobbying" part of your trip in perspective, and as a small part of what there is to enjoy about the Netherlands/amsterdam.  if u dont put too much weight on that part of the experience, it'll be akin at having a bad meal: not great, but not enough to put a damper on your WHOLE trip.  enjoy.

P.S.:  learning some key spanish/eastern european phrases MIGHT  be helpful.  maria dont talk dutch!  

If I was in Amsterdam I would consider the Ying Yang club out on the German border or going into German to some of the FKK clubs.  

I don't know Yab Yub but in the German FKK Sauna Clubs you pay a 50-70 Euro entrance fee which gives you access to sauna club facilities, buffet, soft drinks, etc - stay all day and in some cases all night.  Then there are women who are walking around (often naked) available for sex usually at a 50 Euro for each 30 minute increment and in some cases add-ons for CIM or anal.  A great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday while in Europe.  When I was in Germany this seemed a better value than the escorts I was able to find.  But that is me.  you can research on International Sex Guide.

The city revoked Yab Yum's license a year ago and shut the place down.  The place was owned by the Hell's Angels and was allegedly a hub of organized crime.

If you want to go to a place like that, I'd recommend the Banana Bar.

I haven't been there in about 14 years, so any advice I give is out of date, but not perhaps my perspective.

Listen, if the cost is 50 Euro, what should you really be expecting besides "insert, thrust, repeat"?  When I was there in 94-95, it was fifty guilders (about $30), and you got a half and half.  But, not the most romantic experience, but some of the women were very good looking, and hey, it was $30.

Definetly check out the district, find one that looks good looking, and take your shot.  

Now, also be forewarned that if a girl is REALLY hot, she also might not be giving you the full cost of the service up front and might be leading you on, adding extras.  If you know that, it might not be too bad and you can budget/avoid annoyances accordingly.

happy hunting.

The FKK scene in Germany is inexpensive and, depending on the club, the girls can be of high quality and great variety. Dusseldorf is about a four hour drive from Amsterdam and even faster by train.