 |
 |
 |
|
About Amsterdam The Dutch capital is easy to reach by many means of transportation. If you travel by plane the city is easy to reach from international airport Schiphol. By train Amsterdam is entered by the ICE from Germany and the Thalys from Paris.
Picturesque canals form a girdle around the oldest parts of Amsterdam and encompass the city's notorious Red Light District. Here tourists stroll over ancient bridges and down the narrow lanes where at night the streets are lit up by the crimson glow of windows from which prostitutes beckon passers-by.
The city's attractions include some of Europe's finest sights and museums. This charming and compact city is easily explored on foot, by bike or aboard a canal-boat tour that follows a circular route, stopping at the many attractions along the way.
AttractionsAmsterdam Historisch Museum: The Historical Museum explores Amsterdam’s development from a small medieval settlement along the river into a thriving modern city. Website: www.ahm.nl Transport: 10-minute walk from Central Station; tram 1, 2, 5 to Spui, or tram 4, 9, 14, 16, 24 and 25 to Rokin Opening Time: Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm; Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Closed 1 January, 30 April, 25 December.
 Rijksmuseum: The Rijksmuseum was opened in 1885 and is best known for its collection of 17th century Dutch Masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals and Jan Steen. The most notable of these is Rembrandt’s masterpiece, the Night Watch. The museum contains thousands of other paintings and artefacts in its Asiatic collection, Print Room, Dutch History and Applied Arts sections.
Website: www.rijksmuseum.nl Transport: Tram 2 or 5 from Central Station to Hobbemastraat Opening Time: Daily 9am to 6pm. Closed 1 January
Van Gogh Museum:
The museum houses a permanent display of several hundred of the artist’s paintings and drawings. The collection is organised according to three criteria. The first of these is the work of Vincent van Gogh, which is divided into five notable periods.
Website: www.vangoghmuseum.nl Transport: Tram 2 or 5 from Central Station Opening Time: Daily 10am to 6pm, Fridays 10am to 10pm Admission: €10 (adults), €2.50 (children aged 13 to 17)
Anne Frank House: This museum is dedicated to the memory of Anne Frank whose famous diary, recorded over a two-year period, describes the experiences of a Jewish teenager during World War II. Website: www.annefrank.nl Transport: Tram 13 or 17; or bus 21, 170, 171 or 172 from Central Station to Westermarkt Opening Time: Daily 9am to 7pm; and 9am to 9pm (25 March to 31 August). Note that the queues can be long Admission: €7.50 (adults); €3.50 (children aged 10 to 17)
Restaurants & barsAmsterdam has a great diversity in restaurants and there is something for everyone. If you like Asian food Amsterdam’s own China Town in the Zeedijk – Nieuwmarkt area will provide you with enough Chinese and Thai restaurants. Holland’s colonial past is reflected in a great number of Indonesian and Surinamese restaurants scattered around the city. If you like to try typical Dutch food Amsterdam has a variety of places to eat “stampot” and “Vlaamse Friet” thick french fries drowned in mayonaise.
Our Tips:
- De Vijfh Vliegen – Dutch French cuisine
- New King – Chinese food (low priced!!)
- La Margerita – Caribbean food
After dinner you can have a drink in the numerous bars around the Rembrandt and Leidse Square area. If you like to taste the local beer try out the The IJ brewery. They serve various delicious beers brewed and served in an old bath house with a typical Dutch windmill on the roof.
Our Tips:
- Cafe Van Zanten
- Heineken Hoek
- De Heeren van Aemstel
NightlifeThe Amsterdam nightlife is world famous for its clubs and concert halls. Amsterdam was the nursing room for the house scene and many well known DJ's.
As in many big cities the lounge clubs are growing and becoming more and more popular. Big names: the Supperclub and Jimmy Woo.
Many famous artists played in the Paradiso and Melkweg concert halls and if there is not a big name on the stage there is always a theme night were deejay's play dance or alternative music.
The Hottest Clubs:
- The Zebra
- Panama
- Hotel Arena
- Sinners
ShoppingIf you like shopping, Amsterdam can provide you with a great diversity in quality shops, try the Kalverstraat which runs from the Dam square to Munt square and back. Then there is the Leidsestraat down to Leidse square where you can rest your feet and enjoy a refreshing drink or coffee. If money is not an issue for you, the P.C. Hooftstraat may suit you, it has most exclusive brands to fulfil your needs. Keep your eyes open for the rich and infamous and the bling bling cars.
Other things you should know Amsterdam is known for it’s liberal way of thinking and of course their drug tolerance. Firstly coffeeshops are meant exclusively for cannabis, asking for other drugs is pointless because coffeeshops are watched closely by the authorities and nothing will get them closed quicker than having hard drugs on sale.
Outside Amsterdam there is much to see like Zaanse Schans where you find a traditional Dutch village, the tulips of the Keukenhof and in short distance there are the cities of Haarlem, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht.
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
