Amsterdam , General info:
7/10

Amsterdam , Cheap stuff:
1/10

Not much cheap stuff in Amsterdam, it\\\\\\\'s a very expensive city and ever more so since the interoduction of the Euro.

Amsterdam , Different stuff:
5/10

Plenty of different stuff avaialble from food to clothes and plenty of shoes, a womens dream, 100\\\'s of shoe shops and we are informed that Amsterdam some how get styles other cities do not.

Amsterdam , Don't miss:
8/10

QUEENS DAY April 30th. 1 milion people in city centre and all dressed in orange or most of them.

Gay Parade Aug 1-3 - Amazing sight on water.

Amsterdam , Food:
5/10

All types available but the Dutch service is terrible. Eggs are the main dish, everywhere you go, eggs.

Amsterdam , Hotels:
8/10

Amsterdam Escape (Dot Com) offer a real alternative to your regular Amsterdam hotels, luxury Amsterdam apartments and the best thing they are SMOKE FRIENDLY. Hard to get a smoke friendly place theses days, even in Amsterdam. The Smoking bvan somes into effect in July 2008 the effect of this on hotels, bars and coffeeshops is yet to be seen.

Amsterdam , Safety:
9/10

Amsterdam is a very safe city, Pick pockets are about the worst thing that will happen to you here. No muggers or burgulars and very little petty crime.

Astana , General info:
5/10

Formerly Tselinograd, later Akmola. Nowadays it is called Astana. Previously Astana was the oblast's center (administrative unit in Kazakhstan). Now it is a capital since 1997. The capital was transferred from Almaty. Since that time Astana is growing fast. It is situated on both sides of Esil river. The right bank is called old town, whilst the left bank is a new administrative center of the new capital.

Astana , Cheap stuff:
5/10

Astana is one the most expenssive cities in Kazakhstan along with Almaty (financial and cultural center), Atyrau (oil and gas capital) and Aktau (sea port on Caspian). Cheap stuff can be found in bazaars and large markets like "Eurasia", "Arman" and etc.

Astana , Food:
4/10

Eating is a problem in Astana though there are lots of cafes and restaurants. Unfortunately, most of them can not be considered to be cheap or good. Usually, food is expenssive and fairly good. A usual lunch for a person might cost starting from 1500 tenge (13 USD). And it is not a good lunch at all.

Astana , Hotels:
5/10

There are many hotels and lots are being built. Astana can boast Intercontinental hotel, Rixos President hotel and a few more 5* hotels. There are also 2-3 hotels with 4* grading. And lots of 2* hotels. But prices usually high inspite of fair service. A single room in 2-3* hotel might cost 40-50 usd. 6* hotels cost from 200 Usd.

Astana , Safety:
5/10

It is quite safe to walk in the downtown in midnight. Though it is highly not advised to walk somewhere in the suburbs. There lots of police cams and police booths all over the city.