Amsterdam Holidays And Weekends Away

Amsterdam Holidays Things to do

Amsterdam

it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, rich in personality, history and culture. However, it doesn't look like a sprawling, busy city. From the central train station and defined by its complex canal systems, Amsterdam can be easily explored on foot. The air is different here: unusual and vibrant. Nothing can prepare you for your first visit here. It is a city not to be seen, but to be experienced.

CANAL BOAT TRIP

After Venice, Amsterdam has one of the most sophisticated canal systems in Europe. There's no better way to see Amsterdam than by navigating its incredible circulatory system of canals. They really are as romantic and charming as they appear in the pictures, and even more stunning from the vantage point of a canal boat. Take a boat tour and glide under brick bridges, pass colorful houseboats and soak it all in.

Your guide will point out the main sites, but don't worry about paying too much attention to what's what and where. Although the features vary greatly to the trained eye, the 1,200 bridges and numerous canals look very similar to most visitors. So you probably won't be able to remember where that quaint little restaurant was. Just enjoy the experience and relax.

You can find several canal boat operators in Damrak or Rokin. If you're feeling energetic or prefer a more independent experience, there are a few places around town to rent pedalos. If you choose to rent a pedal boat, be alert and bring a map; it's easy to lose your bearings in channels.

ANNE FRANK HOUSE

The Anne Frank Museum is a powerful, insightful and thoughtful look at a young woman's life during the dark days of World War II Europe. At a time when Jewish citizens faced persecution by the Nazis, many families were forced to take drastic measures to avoid capture. War became a reality for Anne Frank and her family when they were forced to go into hiding for protection.

In an attic above her father's office, Anne spent several years nearby, living out the days of her young life under the threat of the Nazis. During her years in hiding, Anne kept a diary of her daily life in the annex and dreamed of becoming a famous writer. The family was eventually discovered by the Nazis, and Anne died in a concentration camp in 1945. Her father, Otto, survived the Holocaust and published Anne's diary as a memorial to his daughter and to tell its exceptional story. The book, “The Diary of Anne Frank,” has become a beloved work, translated into hundreds of languages ​​and published in countries around the world.

Visitors to the museum can wander through the house, in its original but preserved state, viewing Anne's personal mementos and gaining a compelling insight into life in the secret annex. This is the most popular tourist attraction in Amsterdam. The queues are usually quite long, but the experience is more than worth it.

RED LIGHT DISTRICT

After a few minutes here, you'll feel like you've stumbled upon some zoo or department store “twilight zone.” In this older part of the city, narrow streets and alleyways are lined with red-lit windows displaying seemingly bored and readily available prostitutes. Although surreal at first, the atmosphere is strangely compelling. The sheer selection of beckoning, scantily clad women is enough to make anyone shudder in disbelief.

Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands and is also highly regulated. Prostitutes are licensed and require regular medical check-ups. The bedrooms behind the windows are plain and sterile; this is not an atmosphere for a romantic encounter, it is strictly business.

Although it may be perceived as a seedy area, the red light district is actually quite safe, well-guarded and full of tourists. A walk around the area brings new meaning to the term “showcase”. If you're looking for free entertainment, you'll find it here. Watch your camera though. Taking photos is strongly discouraged and you may have your camera stolen if you are caught taking photos.

VAN GOGH MUSEUM

No other museum or collection in the world exhibits a more original work by Vincent Van Gogh than the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. It is a spectacular collection, which includes more than 200 paintings, both famous and lesser known. That's more than half of all the paintings Van Gogh completed in his lifetime. The stunning canvases are complemented by written works, drawings and a historical library to give you a deeper understanding of Van Gogh's extraordinary evolution as an artist and as a man.

This museum will show you, but also take you beyond popular living room works like “Starry Night” and “Sunflowers.” You'll leave feeling fulfilled, learning more than you ever thought or wanted about one of the world's most talented artists.

A comprehensive visit will take half a day: grab a bite to eat in the museum's cafeteria. Before leaving the museum, don't forget the obligatory visit to the gift shop.

CAFETERIAS AND INTELLIGENT SHOPS

Yes, marijuana is legal in Amsterdam, or at least tolerated. The city has more than 500 “cafeterias” with extensive menus of green products. You'll recognize them by their clever names and leafy decor. Customers can buy a bag of weed or hash at the counter and sit down with a hot drink for a relaxing smoke. Some cafes even have outdoor patios where you can sit on the sidewalk and smoke while people walk by. Although many non-Amsterdamers may feel nervous about such a public display, no one will look twice at you. Even if smoking isn't on your travel agenda, stop in for a coffee just to soak up the atmosphere. If you like to smoke weed, buy it from an established coffee shop and never on the street.

The city is also full of a few establishments called “smart shops”. These sites sell natural hallucinogens such as psilocybin and peyote mushrooms. Hard drugs such as cocaine, LSD, ecstasy and heroin, however, are not tolerated and carry strict legal penalties. Street dealers are on the canal bridges near the red light district and can whisper their hard drug deals to you. Just ignore them.

Contrary to what some might think, Amsterdam is not a city full of hippies and drug addicts. The mentality is only one that tolerates personal freedoms in all their forms. The unconventional charm is what makes Amsterdam so lovable.

RIJKSMUSEUM

Considered the “national treasure of the Netherlands”, the Rijksmuseum exhibits the largest collection of art and historical pieces of the Netherlands from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Masterpieces by some of the world's most acclaimed artists are on display, including the museum's prized piece, Rembrandt's “Night Guide.”

The exterior of the museum is a work of art in its own right, with a striking and spectacular architectural design. The Rijksmuseum is worth a visit for those who appreciate art in all its forms.

HEINEKEN BREWERY

If you've had enough of grand fine art museums, the original Heineken brewery is a museum of a different color: green. The historic building was erected in 1867 and produced Heineken, one of the world's most popular beers, there until 1988. Although Heineken is no longer made at the Amsterdam brewery, the building it has been transformed into a permanent exhibition called the Heineken Experience.

Dedicated to all things Heineken, the Heineken Experience takes visitors on an interactive journey steeped in beer from the first bottling to the technological innovations that revolutionized the brewing industry. Finish the tour with an ice cold drink.

Visitors must be at least 18 years old or accompanied by a parent.

VONDELPARK

The ideal place to spend a sunny and lazy afternoon, Vondelpark is Amsterdam's entertainment hub. Popular with visitors and locals alike, the park is close to the trendy Leidesplein and popular museums, a perfect place to take a break from a sightseeing itinerary. In the summer, you can attend a free theater performance on the park's open stage. There are also bars and a restaurant where you can relax and recharge your batteries. The park is easy to find: look for the large green area on any city map.