|
|
Amsterdam is all about soaking up the local culture, lounging about at a canal-side cafe, visiting the museums, enjoying the food. The city’s laid-back people and its beauty make it a great destination on any European trip. Amsterdam is an old city, with a rich architectural heritage that dates back to the Middle Ages. Amsterdam’s most distinct physical features are its canals and tall, narrow, buildings. When much of the city centre was being laid out, taxes were levied based on the frontage at ground level. This encouraged building upwards, and has contributed to Amsterdam’s present urban design. Surrounding the ancient centre are countless bridges spanning gorgeous tree-lined canals. The entire city is flat and walkable.
We stay on the Leidsestraat, it is full of charming boutiques and cafes. This narrow street, packed with both tourists and local shoppers is perfect for window-shopping boutiques offers fun, unique items. You won’t find chain stores here. The Dutch generally have a warm and welcoming attitude toward visitors, and most have at least a moderate grasp of the English language, so you have an easy time discovering the city’s substantial charm.
We strolled down the Damrack from Central Station, and found ourselves in the middle of a bustling square teeming with both tourists and locals apparently it is like this 24 hours a day. The famous Dam Square, or simply The Dam, was constructed during the 13th century to protect occupants of the city from flooding. The Dam is always a lively place no matter the weather.
Rembrandtplein is full of pubs, cafe’s, restaurants and hotels and is a favourite tourist gathering point. Nightlife with Dutch music adds to the atmosphere. There is a small park in the centre of the square and around the area you will find night clubs, souvenir shops and respectable diamond dealers. You could not come to Holland without a visit to a windmill. You will find 8 windmills in the centre of the city so a good photo opportunity awaits.
Alkmaar Cheese Market is a must see and takes place in Alkmaar’s main square every Friday at 10.00am April to early September.
What ever your interests you will find this city fascinating .
Alkmaar Cheese Market is a must see and takes place in Alkmaar’s main square every Friday at 10.00am April to early September.
What ever your interests you will find this city fascinating .
|
|
Visiting the Van Gogh was a unique experience. The museum contains the largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh in the world and also holds an extensive offer of exhibitions on various subjects from 19th-century art history.
The Rijksmuseum has been a working museum for more than 125 years. The current building was opened in 1885. To those approaching from the direction of the old town, the museum looks impressive and somewhat severe from the Museumplein, however, it looks more like a fairytale castle. After more than a century this huge building needed a radical makeover. In the year 2000, the government of the day gave the go-ahead and work started in 2004 finally completed in April 2013.
The renovated Rijksmuseum displays over 8,000 artistic and historical objects that tell the story of 800 years of Dutch history, from the year 1200 right up to the present. The entire Rijksmuseum collection, including drawings, prints and photos, consists of around 1,000.000 items.
Before the 10 year renovations, around 1,000.000 people visited the Rijksmuseum annually now the museum will have the capacity to welcome up to 2 million visitors annually.
The renovated Rijksmuseum displays over 8,000 artistic and historical objects that tell the story of 800 years of Dutch history, from the year 1200 right up to the present. The entire Rijksmuseum collection, including drawings, prints and photos, consists of around 1,000.000 items.
Before the 10 year renovations, around 1,000.000 people visited the Rijksmuseum annually now the museum will have the capacity to welcome up to 2 million visitors annually.
The Red Light District leaves nothing to the imagination. It is very likely that you will have heard about this neighbourhood and everything you have heard is probably true. Definitely it is unlike any other place we have visited.
The Red Light District, De Wallen is a major tourist attraction in Amsterdam and you won’t be surprised to see crowds of tourists. There are a number of sex shops, peep shows, a sex museum, a cannabis museum, and a number of coffee shops that sell marijuana items such as space cakes, space cookies, space tea and etc that contain a dose of cannabis. They are all over the city. The Dutch are very liberal as this is all legal in Holland. .
The Red Light District that everyone knows about is the one where women in bikinis, underwear or less parade their wares in windows surrounded by red lights and usually with a red lamp above it. There were people of all ages families, couples wandering the area.
The Red Light District is in the old town and among good restaurants, nice pubs and interesting little shops, not seedy as you might imagine, there is also a lovely old church in the area.
The Red Light District, De Wallen is a major tourist attraction in Amsterdam and you won’t be surprised to see crowds of tourists. There are a number of sex shops, peep shows, a sex museum, a cannabis museum, and a number of coffee shops that sell marijuana items such as space cakes, space cookies, space tea and etc that contain a dose of cannabis. They are all over the city. The Dutch are very liberal as this is all legal in Holland. .
The Red Light District that everyone knows about is the one where women in bikinis, underwear or less parade their wares in windows surrounded by red lights and usually with a red lamp above it. There were people of all ages families, couples wandering the area.
The Red Light District is in the old town and among good restaurants, nice pubs and interesting little shops, not seedy as you might imagine, there is also a lovely old church in the area.
Amsterdam is unique. The style of the houses, the canals, it is just a magical city full of charm and style.
A tip, go online and buy an “ I am Amsterdam Card” or you can pick one up when you arrive at the airport or tourist offices. There is a complete list of locations on the website. The card gives you access to public transport and some attractions including 50 free and 60 discounted attractions and start at 40 euros depending which one you choose. The website below has all the details.
www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/iamsterdamcard
Amsterdam is one of those fascinating cities that you instantly fall in love with.
Dam Square is the centre of Amsterdam, the Dam was the reception place for Napoleon and his troops during the 1808 take-over of the city. There have been many other historical events happen here, check out the website.
www.amsterdam.info/sights/
A tip, go online and buy an “ I am Amsterdam Card” or you can pick one up when you arrive at the airport or tourist offices. There is a complete list of locations on the website. The card gives you access to public transport and some attractions including 50 free and 60 discounted attractions and start at 40 euros depending which one you choose. The website below has all the details.
www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/iamsterdamcard
Amsterdam is one of those fascinating cities that you instantly fall in love with.
Dam Square is the centre of Amsterdam, the Dam was the reception place for Napoleon and his troops during the 1808 take-over of the city. There have been many other historical events happen here, check out the website.
www.amsterdam.info/sights/