Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands. The Netherlands is situated in Western Europe,
bordering Belgium to the south and Germany to the east, to its
north and west in the North Sea. Although the Netherlands is
the country's official name, people popularly call it Holland. The
provinces of North Holland and South Holland form only part of
the Netherlands.
Amsterdam is one of Europe's most popular destinations and
one of the greatest small cities in the world. From its canals to
world-famous museums and historical sights, Amsterdam is
one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe.
Amsterdam is a city of tolerance and diversity. Although it is
small, it has all the advantages of a big city such as culture,
entertainment, international restaurants and good
transportation. Amsterdam is referred to as the COOL capital
of Holland because of its famous art, unusual architecture,
great shopping and trendy restaurants. Amsterdam is home to
Rembrandt's Night Watch and Van Gogh's Sunflowers. There
are more museums in Amsterdam per square meter than in
any other country in the world! All this and more makes
Amsterdam a very exciting place to visit!
Amsterdam’s Bridges and Canals
Amsterdam is a liberal and vibrant city that covers an area of
207 square kilometres (80 square miles) and has a
population of approximately 1,730,000. Known as the 'Venice
of the North', Amsterdam is built on 90 islands linked by 400
stone bridges across 100 kilometres (62 miles) of canals. The
city of Amsterdam is relatively quiet with little traffic.
Amsterdam Weather
Amsterdam has a temperate maritime climate with cool
winters and mild summers. The mildest weather is April
through October. For those who are interested in seeing the
famous tulips, come to Amsterdam in April and May. Winters
are usually wet and cold
The Bulb Fields
The VVV Tourist Office in Noordwijk issues a cycling route,
called "The Spring Cycling Tour along the Bulbfields". From
Noordwijk, you will cycle along the most wonderful bulbfields
and visit the village of Noordwijkerhout, which is home to a
beautifully restored medieval white church. During the tour, you
will be able to visit Keukenhof Gardens. On your way back to
Noordwijk, you will pass by Voorhout. There, you can make a
stop at the world's largest flower panorama "Panorama
Tulipland" and watch landscape painter Leo Van den Ende, as
he works on a life-size painting. Leo van den Ende works six
days a week at this painting, which is expected to be finished
in 2012.
Amsterdam’s Top Attractions
As you make your way around the city, there are some places
you just must make time to see. First you will want to see the
Van Gogh Museum, which has the largest collection of
paintings and drawings of Van Gogh’s. Visitors sometimes
spend hours marveling at all his works. Take an afternoon and
see this special museum. You will also want to see the
Nieuwmarkt, which is a gathering place for people to enjoy an
afternoon or evening. Vondelpark will provide you with some
relaxing moments and wonderful scenery. You will want to visit
the Anne Frank Museum also. This is where Anne Frank and
her family went into hiding for two years beginning on July 6,
1942.
Van Gogh Museum is open 10am - 6pm daily and has
the world’s largest collection of paintings, drawings and letters
of Van Gogh’s. It also houses paintings from Gauguin and
Toulouse-Lautrec.
· Nieuwmarkt - the square that the castle was built on and
it was the holding place for Jews arrested during WWII. Now it
is a gathering place where many go to eat and enjoy an
afternoon or evening. It is also a wonderful place to take a walk
along the canals.
· Vondelpark - one of the most visited places in the city
providing four terraces where visitors may sit and have a cup of
coffee. It was named after the poet Joost van den Vondel.
·
Anne Frankhuis - open hours: Sep-Mar: 9am-7pm daily; Apr-
Aug: 9am-9pm daily; May 4: 9am-7pm; Dec 25, Jan 1: noon-
7pm; closed on Yom Kippur and you can call +31 20 556 71 00
if you need to contact them. This is where Anne Frank and her
family went into hiding for two years beginning on July 6, 1942.
· Westerkerk - Open Hours: Apr-Sep: 11am-5pm Mon-Fri
Phone: +31 20 624 77 66. This is the Netherlands most
famous church and a place where many musicians were
inspired. The church served as a lookout and when the clock
sounded it was Anne Frank’s hope during World War II.
· Nemo - Open Hours: 10am-5pm Tue-Sun; Dec 25, Jan 1,
Apr 30 closed Phone: +31 900 919 11 00. This is the place
where you will discover all kinds of new technological
advances in biomedicine and scientific developments. It also a
great view of the city from the top of the building’s rooftop
terrace.
· The Rembrandthuis - Open Hours: 10am-5pm daily
Phone: +31 20 520 04 00 and it houses 250 of the 300
etchings that Rembrandt created. Inside this museum you will
also find paintings by Rembrandt’s teacher Pieter Lastman
and some of Rembrandt's apprentices. You will spend hours
admiring all this museum has to offer.
· Oude Kerk - Open Hours: 11am-5pm Mon-Sat; 1pm-5pm
Sun; closed 25th Dec & 1st Jan Phone: +31 20 624 91 83
Located in the center of the red-light district. It has a medieval
appearance and cobblestones surround this church.
The Artis - Open Hours: Winter: 9am-5pm daily; Summer:
9am-6pm daily Phone: +31 20 523 3400 This is a fantastic zoo
with over 8,000 animals. It has two museums and a
planetarium inside. There is so much to see at this zoo and
you can also take courses in astrology and drawing.
Shopping In Amsterdam
With 10,334 shops, 141 galleries, 165 antique shops and 26
markets, Amsterdam is by far the most important city for
shopping in Holland. The flea market stalls at Waterloo
Square (plein) sell anything from African bedspreads to
Indonesian jewelry, Balinese woodcarvings, second hand and
army-surplus clothing. The Flower Market, on the Singel canal,
west of Muntplein, is the last of the city's floating flower
markets. The displays of fragrant seasonal flowers and bright
spring plants are a joy to look at and to smell! Go shopping for
antiques in the Spiegelkwartier antique area or visit the P.C.
Hooftstraat or Kalvertoren on the Kalverstraat with its exclusive
shops.
Dining In Amsterdam
When it comes to good restaurants, Amsterdam has an
overwhelming choice! The following is a list of some of the
best places to enjoy a memorable lunch or dinner.
't Buffet van Odette & Yvette - This pleasant restaurant, located
on a gorgeous part of the Herengracht canal, has a light and
airy interior and relaxed atmosphere - a perfect setting for a
good lunch! They serve wonderful sandwiches, soups and
omelets and have daily pasta specials. Very popular with the
locals!
Herengracht 309
Phone: + 31 20 423 6034
Café Restaurant Amsterdam - This huge restaurant is located
slightly outside the city center in the former water pumping
station of the City of Amsterdam. The food is uncomplicated,
friendly priced, good and served in a relaxed atmosphere - a
nice atmosphere also for the children.
Watertorenplein 6
Phone: + 31 20 682 2666
Cinema Paradiso - This is the place to go if you want to meet
famous Amsterdammers or if you just would like to admire
and be admired. They serve great Italian food in a wonderful
atmosphere.
De Kas - De Kas is a truly unique restaurant in Amsterdam.
Everything is special here: the location (in a large greenhouse,
with glass ceilings), the interior (serene, simple, yet very cozy)
and the menu (basic and delicious with lots of ingredients
from their own greenhouse.
Phone: + 31 20 462 4562
En Pluche - The well-known Dutch TV-chef Joop Braakhekke
recently opened a new restaurant, next to his other restaurant
'Le Garage'. It has been a hit since the opening. This is
Amsterdam's hip and trendy lounge with red plush couches.
Foods include well prepared 'street food' such as tapas and
oriental snacks.
Ruysdaelstraat 48
Phone: + 31 20 471 4695
Hein - At this informal place, named after its owner, they serve
delicious breakfast and lunches in a nice ambience. The
restaurant is closed for dinner, but if you come with 8 or more,
Hein will open its doors and cook especially for you, or let you
do the cooking under Hein's supervision.
Berenstraat 20
Phone: + 31 20 623 1048
Le Garage - Le Garage has been the place to be for a pretty
long time, with its hip 80's interior (mirrors all around) and a
steady clientele of Dutch VIPs, wannabe's and lots of locals. Its
success also comes form the consistently good food, the well-
known chef Joop Braakhekke, a great ambiance and good
service.
Ruysdaelstraat 54-56
Phone: + 31 20 679 7176
Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands. The Netherlands is situated in Western Europe,
bordering Belgium to the south and Germany to the east, to its
north and west in the North Sea. Although the Netherlands is
the country's official name, people popularly call it Holland. The
provinces of North Holland and South Holland form only part of
the Netherlands.
Amsterdam is one of Europe's most popular destinations and
one of the greatest small cities in the world. From its canals to
world-famous museums and historical sights, Amsterdam is
one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe.
Amsterdam is a city of tolerance and diversity. Although it is
small, it has all the advantages of a big city such as culture,
entertainment, international restaurants and good
transportation. Amsterdam is referred to as the COOL capital
of Holland because of its famous art, unusual architecture,
great shopping and trendy restaurants. Amsterdam is home to
Rembrandt's Night Watch and Van Gogh's Sunflowers. There
are more museums in Amsterdam per square meter than in
any other country in the world! All this and more makes
Amsterdam a very exciting place to visit!
Amsterdam’s Bridges and Canals
Amsterdam is a liberal and vibrant city that covers an area of
207 square kilometres (80 square miles) and has a
population of approximately 1,730,000. Known as the 'Venice
of the North', Amsterdam is built on 90 islands linked by 400
stone bridges across 100 kilometres (62 miles) of canals. The
city of Amsterdam is relatively quiet with little traffic.
Amsterdam Weather
Amsterdam has a temperate maritime climate with cool
winters and mild summers. The mildest weather is April
through October. For those who are interested in seeing the
famous tulips, come to Amsterdam in April and May. Winters
are usually wet and cold
The Bulb Fields
The VVV Tourist Office in Noordwijk issues a cycling route,
called "The Spring Cycling Tour along the Bulbfields". From
Noordwijk, you will cycle along the most wonderful bulbfields
and visit the village of Noordwijkerhout, which is home to a
beautifully restored medieval white church. During the tour, you
will be able to visit Keukenhof Gardens. On your way back to
Noordwijk, you will pass by Voorhout. There, you can make a
stop at the world's largest flower panorama "Panorama
Tulipland" and watch landscape painter Leo Van den Ende, as
he works on a life-size painting. Leo van den Ende works six
days a week at this painting, which is expected to be finished
in 2012.
Amsterdam’s Top Attractions
As you make your way around the city, there are some places
you just must make time to see. First you will want to see the
Van Gogh Museum, which has the largest collection of
paintings and drawings of Van Gogh’s. Visitors sometimes
spend hours marveling at all his works. Take an afternoon and
see this special museum. You will also want to see the
Nieuwmarkt, which is a gathering place for people to enjoy an
afternoon or evening. Vondelpark will provide you with some
relaxing moments and wonderful scenery. You will want to visit
the Anne Frank Museum also. This is where Anne Frank and
her family went into hiding for two years beginning on July 6,
1942.
Van Gogh Museum is open 10am - 6pm daily and has
the world’s largest collection of paintings, drawings and letters
of Van Gogh’s. It also houses paintings from Gauguin and
Toulouse-Lautrec.
· Nieuwmarkt - the square that the castle was built on and
it was the holding place for Jews arrested during WWII. Now it
is a gathering place where many go to eat and enjoy an
afternoon or evening. It is also a wonderful place to take a walk
along the canals.
· Vondelpark - one of the most visited places in the city
providing four terraces where visitors may sit and have a cup of
coffee. It was named after the poet Joost van den Vondel.
·
Anne Frankhuis - open hours: Sep-Mar: 9am-7pm daily; Apr-
Aug: 9am-9pm daily; May 4: 9am-7pm; Dec 25, Jan 1: noon-
7pm; closed on Yom Kippur and you can call +31 20 556 71 00
if you need to contact them. This is where Anne Frank and her
family went into hiding for two years beginning on July 6, 1942.
· Westerkerk - Open Hours: Apr-Sep: 11am-5pm Mon-Fri
Phone: +31 20 624 77 66. This is the Netherlands most
famous church and a place where many musicians were
inspired. The church served as a lookout and when the clock
sounded it was Anne Frank’s hope during World War II.
· Nemo - Open Hours: 10am-5pm Tue-Sun; Dec 25, Jan 1,
Apr 30 closed Phone: +31 900 919 11 00. This is the place
where you will discover all kinds of new technological
advances in biomedicine and scientific developments. It also a
great view of the city from the top of the building’s rooftop
terrace.
· The Rembrandthuis - Open Hours: 10am-5pm daily
Phone: +31 20 520 04 00 and it houses 250 of the 300
etchings that Rembrandt created. Inside this museum you will
also find paintings by Rembrandt’s teacher Pieter Lastman
and some of Rembrandt's apprentices. You will spend hours
admiring all this museum has to offer.
· Oude Kerk - Open Hours: 11am-5pm Mon-Sat; 1pm-5pm
Sun; closed 25th Dec & 1st Jan Phone: +31 20 624 91 83
Located in the center of the red-light district. It has a medieval
appearance and cobblestones surround this church.
The Artis - Open Hours: Winter: 9am-5pm daily; Summer:
9am-6pm daily Phone: +31 20 523 3400 This is a fantastic zoo
with over 8,000 animals. It has two museums and a
planetarium inside. There is so much to see at this zoo and
you can also take courses in astrology and drawing.
Shopping In Amsterdam
With 10,334 shops, 141 galleries, 165 antique shops and 26
markets, Amsterdam is by far the most important city for
shopping in Holland. The flea market stalls at Waterloo
Square (plein) sell anything from African bedspreads to
Indonesian jewelry, Balinese woodcarvings, second hand and
army-surplus clothing. The Flower Market, on the Singel canal,
west of Muntplein, is the last of the city's floating flower
markets. The displays of fragrant seasonal flowers and bright
spring plants are a joy to look at and to smell! Go shopping for
antiques in the Spiegelkwartier antique area or visit the P.C.
Hooftstraat or Kalvertoren on the Kalverstraat with its exclusive
shops.
Dining In Amsterdam
When it comes to good restaurants, Amsterdam has an
overwhelming choice! The following is a list of some of the
best places to enjoy a memorable lunch or dinner.
't Buffet van Odette & Yvette - This pleasant restaurant, located
on a gorgeous part of the Herengracht canal, has a light and
airy interior and relaxed atmosphere - a perfect setting for a
good lunch! They serve wonderful sandwiches, soups and
omelets and have daily pasta specials. Very popular with the
locals!
Herengracht 309
Phone: + 31 20 423 6034
Café Restaurant Amsterdam - This huge restaurant is located
slightly outside the city center in the former water pumping
station of the City of Amsterdam. The food is uncomplicated,
friendly priced, good and served in a relaxed atmosphere - a
nice atmosphere also for the children.
Watertorenplein 6
Phone: + 31 20 682 2666
Cinema Paradiso - This is the place to go if you want to meet
famous Amsterdammers or if you just would like to admire
and be admired. They serve great Italian food in a wonderful
atmosphere.
De Kas - De Kas is a truly unique restaurant in Amsterdam.
Everything is special here: the location (in a large greenhouse,
with glass ceilings), the interior (serene, simple, yet very cozy)
and the menu (basic and delicious with lots of ingredients
from their own greenhouse.
Phone: + 31 20 462 4562
En Pluche - The well-known Dutch TV-chef Joop Braakhekke
recently opened a new restaurant, next to his other restaurant
'Le Garage'. It has been a hit since the opening. This is
Amsterdam's hip and trendy lounge with red plush couches.
Foods include well prepared 'street food' such as tapas and
oriental snacks.
Ruysdaelstraat 48
Phone: + 31 20 471 4695
Hein - At this informal place, named after its owner, they serve
delicious breakfast and lunches in a nice ambience. The
restaurant is closed for dinner, but if you come with 8 or more,
Hein will open its doors and cook especially for you, or let you
do the cooking under Hein's supervision.
Berenstraat 20
Phone: + 31 20 623 1048
Le Garage - Le Garage has been the place to be for a pretty
long time, with its hip 80's interior (mirrors all around) and a
steady clientele of Dutch VIPs, wannabe's and lots of locals. Its
success also comes form the consistently good food, the well-
known chef Joop Braakhekke, a great ambiance and good
service.
Ruysdaelstraat 54-56
Phone: + 31 20 679 7176
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FAMILY TRAVEL FUN
