Planning your trip to Amsterdam

THE BEST WAY

From LAX, KLM offers nonstop service, United has direct service (stop, no change of plane) and Continental, Northwest, Lufthansa, Delta, United, British and Air France offer connecting service (change of plane). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $880.

TELEPHONES

To call Amsterdam numbers from the U.S., dial 011 (international dialing code), 31 (country code for the Netherlands), 20 (city code for Amsterdam) and the local number.

WHERE TO STAY

Apartment rentals can be found at these online companies: www.greatrentals.com, www.stayrentals.com, www.expatriates.com and www.craigslist.com.

Ibis Amsterdam Centre, 49 Stationsplein, 1012 AB, Amsterdam; 011-31-20-638-9999, www.ibishotel.com. This centrally located high-rise has small but efficient rooms, most with harbor or city views. Good value, but the hot breakfast entrees are cold. Doubles from $160 a night, including breakfast.

WHERE TO EAT

De Taart van m’n Tante, 10 Ferdinand Bolstraat, 1072 LJ; 011-31-20-776-4600; www.detaart.com. A must stop for a morning or afternoon sweet and coffee. The cakes are as splendid and colorful as the interior.

Pancake Bakery, 19 Prinsengracht; 011-31-20-625-1333, www.pancake.nl. The kids will be tempted by the sweets, but don’t miss the savory stuff — bacon and cheese as well as Thai or curry; these are nothing like your IHOP pancake. Special dishes for kids come with toys, which may be too small for those younger than 5. From $13.50 to $27.

Sea Palace, 8 Oosterdokskade, 1011 AE; Amsterdam, 011-31-20-626-4777, www.seapalace.nl. Pagoda-style, floating Chinese restaurant. Great city views from the water. Entrees from $21; set menu from $35.

WHERE TO GO

Anne Frank House, 267 Prinsengracht, Amsterdam; 011-31-20-556-7105; www.annefrank.org. Admission: $10 for adults, $4.75 for ages 10 to 17, free for kids younger than 10. Evening tickets are also available.

Rijksmuseum, 1 Jan Luijkenstraat; 011-31-20-674-7047, www.Rijksmuseum.nl. Admission is $12 for adults; free for children younger than 18.

Van Gogh Museum, 7 Paulus Potterstraat; 011-31-20-570-5200, www.vangoghmuseum.nl. Admission: $9 for adults, $3.35 for children 13 to 17, free for younger than 13.

TO LEARN MORE

Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions, (888) 464-6552, www.holland.com. Also see www.Iamsterdam.nl or www.visitamsterdam.nl.