|
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
 |
| |
|
European Vacations -
Netherlands Vacation Packages &
Travel Information |
|
|
|
|
Overview |
|
|
From its canals to its world-famous
museums and historical centers,
Amsterdam is one of the most
romantic and beautiful European
cities. There is nothing quite like
this small capital and its deep
cultural heritage. Not only is
Amsterdam colorful, serene, and
romantic, it is also exciting and
sophisticated.
Amsterdam is a major port
conveniently located near Schiphol
Airport and is the site of many
national and international business
conferences. It is also at the heart
of the ever expanding European
Union.
Amsterdam is a cultural, historical,
and architectural marvel. The city
is laid out in concentric rings of
canals around the old center,
crosscut by a network of access
roads and alley-like connecting
streets. Most of the museums are
clustered at the edge of the canal
district and are considered to be
among the best in Europe. In
addition, visitors will want to see
Europe's first stock exchange, which
now serves as a grand concert hall
and exhibition space, and pause for
coffee at one of the first coffee
houses in Europe. There is also the
Anne Frank house, where the famous
diarist’s family hid during World
War II. The Museum of the Resistance
provides educational and historical
information about the Holocaust.
Artis Zoo is a family favorite as is
the adjoining aquarium. Interactive
exhibits at the Science and
Technology Museum provide children
and adults with hours of educational
fun. Other highlights of Amsterdam
are its Floating Flower Market,
where the merchandise is displayed
on barges, and the Diamond District.
As one might guess, the nightlife in
Amsterdam is truly amazing! The Red
Light District is world-famous.
Clubs everywhere are open until the
wee hours of the morning, as are
many coffee houses and bars. The
Holland Casino Amsterdam, one of
Europe's largest casinos, provides
entertainment to guests 18 and over.
Looking at a map of Amsterdam, the
city appears too large to explore on
foot. It is actually possible to
cover the entire flat expanse of the
city during a four- hour walk. Trams
and water taxis are available if
you’re ready for a rest or prefer to
travel at a more leisurely pace.
Amsterdam is city of incredible
beauty and charm in a land of
canals, windmills, dikes, and
picturesque countryside. Its museums
house some of the world's
masterpieces, and its history is an
important part of the story of
Europe itself. This is a city in
which culture, commerce, ambience,
and romance combine with a proud and
lively sense of humor and vitality.
It is not to be missed! |
|
|
|
Facts |
|
|
Population: 725,000
Elevation: Below sea level, but
protected from flooding by an
extensive network of dikes and
drainage canals.
Time Zone: When it is noon in
Amsterdam, it is 6AM in New York
City.
When to Visit: Weather-wise, the
best months for sightseeing are
April, May, June, September, and
October. The maritime climate of the
Netherlands is very changeable,
though, and during these months
expect weather ranging from cool to
pleasant to wet and windy to hot and
sometimes humid. Winters in
Amsterdam can be very cold from
December through February and March.
ATMs: Among the centrally located
automated teller machines (ATMs)
accessible by cards linked to the
Cirrus and Plus networks, and the
major credit cards and charge cards,
are those at ABN-AMRO Bank, Dam 2
(tram: 4, 9, 14, 16, 24, 25) and
Leidsestraat 1 (tram: 1, 2, 5), at
Leidseplein; Rabobank, Dam 16 (tram:
4, 9, 14, 16, 24, 25); and Fortis
Bank, Singel 548 (tram: 4, 9, 14,
16, 24, 25), at the Flower Market.
Babysitters: Many hotels can arrange
babysitters. A reliable local
organization is
Business Hours: Banks are open
Monday through Friday from 9am to 4
or 5pm, and some to 7pm on Thursday.
Open hours for offices are Monday
through Friday from 9 or 10am to 4
or 5pm. Regular shopping hours are
Monday from 10 or 11am to 6pm;
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from
9am to 6pm; Thursday from 9am to
9pm; Saturday from 9am to 5pm; and
some stores are open Sunday from
noon to 5pm.
Convention Center RAI Convention
Center,: Europaplein (020/549-1212;
Metro: RAI), in the south of the
city.
Currency: The Euro is the currency
of the Netherlands. Euro notes come
in denominations of EUR500, EUR200,
EUR100, EUR50, EUR20, EUR10 and
EUR5. The euro is divided into 100
cents, and coins are available as
EUR2 and EUR1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2,
and 1 cents.
Dentists: Call the Central Medical
Service (tel. 020/592-3434).
Doctors: Call the Central Medical
Service (tel. 020/592-3434).
Drugstores: For such items as
toothpaste, deodorant, and razor
blades, go to a drogerij
(drugstore), or a supermarket.
Electricity: the Netherlands runs on
220 volts electricity (North America
uses 110 volts). You will need a
small voltage transformer (available
in drug and appliance stores and by
mail order) that plugs into the
round-holed European electrical
outlet and converts the Dutch
voltage from 220 volts down to 110
volts for any small appliance up to
1,500 watts.
Embassies & Consulates: The U.S.
Consulate in Amsterdam is at
Museumplein 19 (tel.
Emergencies: For police assistance,
an ambulance, or the fire
department, call tel. 112.
Holidays:
January 1 (New Year's Day)
March/April: Good Friday; Easter
Monday;
April 30 (Queen's Day/Koninginnedag)
Ascension Day
Pentecost Monday (50 days after
Easter)
December 25 (Christmas) and 26.
(The dates for Easter, Ascension,
and Pentecost change each year).
Hospitals:
Two hospitals with an emergency
service are the Onze Lieve Vrouwe
Gasthuis, Eerste Oosterparkstraat
179 (tel. 020/599-9111; tram: 3, 7,
10), in Amsterdam Oost; and
Academisch Medisch Centrum (AMC),
Meibergdreef 9 (tel. 020/566-3333;
Metro: Holendrecht), in Amsterdam
Zuidoost.
Internet Access: In the City center,
easyEverything (www.easyeverything.com)
has two locations: Damrak 33 (tel.
020/320-8082; tram: 1, 2, 4, 5, 9,
13, 16, 17, 24, 25); and
Reguliersbreestraat 22 (tel.
020/320-6291; tram: 4, 9, 14). Both
are open 24 hours a day and access
begins at 1.15€. A less-crowded
choice is Internet Café,
Martelaarsgracht 11 (tel.
020/627-1052; tram: 1, 2, 5, 13,
17), open Sunday through Thursday
from 9am to 1am, Friday and Saturday
from 9am to 3am.
Language: Dutch is the primary
language, but English is the second
language of the Netherlands.
Newspapers & Magazines: The American
Book Center, Kalverstraat 185 (tel.
020/625-5537; tram: 4, 9, 14, 16,
24, 25), and Waterstone's,
Kalverstraat 152 (tel. 020/638-3821;
tram: 4, 9, 14, 16, 24, 25), and
newsstands at Schiphol Airport and
Centraal Station all have a big
selection of international
newspapers and magazines.
Pharmacies: For both prescription
and non-prescription medicines, you
go to an apotheek (pharmacy). Try
Dam Apotheek at Damstraat 2 (tel.
020/624-4331; tram: 4, 9, 14, 16,
24, 25). All pharmacies have the
name and address of an all-night and
Sunday pharmacy posted on the door.
Police: The emergency number to call
for the police (politie), fire
department, and ambulance is tel.
112. For routine matters, police
headquarters are at Elandsgracht 117
(tel. 0900/8844; tram: 7, 10, 17).
Post Office: Most post offices are
open Monday through Friday from 9am
to 5pm.
Taxes: There's a value-added tax
(BTW) of 6% on hotel and restaurant
bills (19% on beer, wine, and
liquor), and 6% or 19% (the amount
depends on the product) on
purchases. This tax is always
included in the price. People
resident outside the European Union
can shop tax-free in Amsterdam.
Shops that offer tax-free shopping
advertise with a Netherlands
Tax-Free Shopping sign in the
window, and they provide you with
the form you need to recover
value-added tax (VAT) when you leave
the European Union.
To make international calls: To make
international calls from Amsterdam,
first dial 00 and then the country
code (U.S. or Canada 1, U.K. 44,
Ireland 353, Australia 61, New
Zealand 64). Next you dial the area
code and number.
Toll-free numbers: Numbers beginning
with 0800 within the Netherlands are
toll-free, but calling a 1-800
number in the States from the
Netherlands is not toll-free. It
costs the same as an overseas call.
Special numbers: Beware special
Dutch numbers that begin with 0900.
Calls to these are charged at a far
higher rate than ordinary local
calls.
International Access Codes: To call
the United States or Canada, dial 00
(the international access code) + 1
(the country code) + the area code +
the number. Other country codes are:
Australia, 61; United Kingdom, 44;
Ireland, 353; New Zealand, 64.
The area code for Amsterdam is 020.
When making local calls in Amsterdam
you won't need to use the area codes
shown in this book. You do need to
use an area code between towns and
cities in the Netherlands.
Tipping: The Dutch government
requires that all taxes and service
charges be included in the published
prices of hotels, restaurants,
cafes, discos, nightclubs, beauty
salons/barbershops and hairdressers,
and sightseeing companies. Even taxi
fare includes taxes and a standard
15% tip.
Arriving and Departing
By Air
Amsterdam Luchthaven Schiphol
(pronounced "Shh-kip-hole") (AMS)
(17 km (11 mi) southwest of
Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
0900/0141, is the main passenger
airport for Holland. With the annual
number of passengers using Schiphol
approaching 40 million, it is ranked
among the world's top five
best-connected airports. A hotel, a
service to aid passengers with
disabilities, parking lots, and a
main office of The Netherlands
tourist board (in Schiphol Plaza and
known as "HTI" -- Holland Tourist
Information) can prove most useful.
The comprehensive Schiphol telephone
service, charged at EUR.10 per
minute, provides information about
flight arrivals and departures as
well as all transport and parking
facilities.
Flying time to Amsterdam is 21½
hours from Auckland; 1 hour from
London; 10½ hours from Los Angeles;
7 hours from New York; 20 hours from
Sydney; and 8 hours from Toronto.
Getting Around the City
Metro
Amsterdam has a full-fledged subway
system, the metro, but travelers
will usually find trams and buses
more convenient for getting around,
as most metro stops are geared for
city residents traveling to the
outer suburbs. However, the
Amsterdam metro can get you from
Centraal Station (at the northern
harbor edge of the city) to Amstel
Station (a train station at the
southeastern area of the city, with
connections to many buses and trams)
much faster than a tram, which makes
many stops along the way.
Trams & Buses
Many tram and bus routes start from
the hub at Centraal Station (Stationsplein,
Amsterdam, Netherlands. Tel.
0900-9292 public transportation
information).
A large bus depot is located on the
Marnixstraat, across from the main
police station, and there's another
one at Harlemmermeer station in the
Overtoomseveld neighborhood of
western Amsterdam. Trams and buses
run from about 6 AM to midnight
daily. The tram routes, with a
network of 130 km (80 mi) of track,
make this characteristic form of
transport more useful than the bus
for most tourists. Night owls can
make use of the hourly night-bus
services, with double frequency on
Friday and Saturday night, but
routes are restricted.
Between stops, trams brake only when
absolutely necessary, so listen for
warning bells if you are walking or
cycling near tram lines. Taxis use
tram lines, but other cars are
allowed to venture onto them only
when turning right. The newer fleets
of buses are cleaner, and therefore
nicer to use, and bus lanes (shared
only with taxis) remain uncongested,
ensuring that you travel more
swiftly than the rest of the traffic
in rush hour. If the bus is very
crowded, you may have to stand, so
hold on to a handrail, as the buses
can travel quite fast; to avoid rush
hour, don't travel between 8 and 9
in the morning or between 4:30 and
5:30 in the afternoon. As with all
urban systems of transportation,
keep an eye out for pickpockets.
Ferries
Four ferry lines leave from Centraal
Station, but only one is of any
interest to tourists. The
Buiksloterwegveer leaves from Pier 7
behind Centraal Station every 8 to
15 minutes, day and night. The ferry
transports pedestrians, cyclists,
and motorcyclists across the IJ
channel to North Amsterdam. There is
no fee for the service. North
Amsterdam may prove to be less
interesting than the refreshing
trip, which takes about five
minutes.
Transfers Between the Airport and
Town
If you wish to hop aboard a tram or
bus to get to your hotel, go to one
of the Gemeentevervoerbedrifj (GVB)
Amsterdam Municipal Transport booths
found in front of the Centraal
Station. Here you can find
directions, fare information, and
schedules.
The KLM Hotel Bus shuttles between
the airport and Amsterdam, serving
16 top hotels directly and many more
that are close to these stops. Buses
depart Schiphol Plaza every 20
minutes from 7am to 6pm and every 30
minutes from 6 to 9:30pm.
Bus no. 197 departs every half hour
from in front of Schiphol Plaza for
Amsterdam's downtown Marnixstraat
bus station. This bus is much slower
than both the train and the KLM
Hotel Bus.
Taxis are expensive, but are the
preferred choice when traveling with
luggage, or if there are two or more
people to share the cost. Taxi
stands are located at both ends of
the sidewalk in front of Schiphol
Plaza. Taxis from the airport are
all metered.
Walking
If you're going around on foot,
remember that cars have the right of
way when turning. When crossing a
street, watch out for trams, buses,
and bikes, too.
Use caution with children near the
canals Protective fencing is rare,
and the low metal railings won’t
prevent a fall into the water.
Biking: Almost everyone in Amsterdam
rides a bicycle. There are special
bike trails everywhere, as well as
parking for bikes at most sites.
De Opstapper
The Opstapper, a transit van that
travels the elegant Prinsengracht --
heart of the historic canal sector
-- between Centraal Station and the
Music Theater. For a one-zone stamp
on your strippenkaart, you can get
on or off anywhere along the
Prinsengracht. There are no fixed
stops. It passes within walking
distance of the Anne Frank House,
the Leidseplein, and many hotels.
The buses run every ten minutes from
7:30 AM to 6:30 PM. There are eight
seats and room for an additional
eight standing passengers. |
|
|
|
Attractions |
|
|
Old Center: This core area around
the Dam and Centraal Station, and
through the neighborhood known as De
Wallen (The Walls), which contains
the Red Light District, is the
oldest part of the city. It includes
the main downtown shopping areas and
attractions such as the Royal
Palace, the Amsterdam Historical
Museum, Madame Tussaud's, and many
of the canal-boat piers. It is a
busy part of town, filled with
traffic, noise, and social whirl.
The Canal Belt: The semicircular,
multistrand "necklace" of waterways
called the Grachtengordel in Dutch,
was built around the old Center
during the city's 17th-century
Golden Age. Its vista of elegant,
gabled mansions fronting long,
tree-lined canals forms the image
that's most often associated
Amsterdam. It includes many hotels,
both large and small, restaurants,
sightseeing attractions such as the
Anne Frankhuis and the canal-house
museums, and antiques shops.
Around Leidseplein: The city's
liveliest nightlife square and its
immediate surroundings cover such a
small area that it could have been
included under "The Canal Belt." It
is so distinctive that it deserves
to be highlighted. In addition to
performance venues, movie theaters,
bars, and cafes, there are many fine
hotels and restaurants in this busy
area.
Around Rembrandtplein: Like
Leidseplein, but on a somewhat
reduced scale, this square is the
focus for a grouping of hotels,
restaurants, cafes, and nightlife
venues that's lively enough to
feature on its own.
The Jordaan: This group of small
streets and canals lies west of the
City Center, beyond the major
canals. Once a working-class
neighborhood, it's become
fashionable, like New York City's
SoHo, with a growing number of
upscale boutiques and restaurants.
Museumplein & Vondelpark: Gracious
and residential, this area surrounds
the three major museums on
Museumplein: the Rijksmuseum, the
Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk
Museum: and hosts the Concertgebouw
concert hall, with its many
restaurants. It contains Amsterdam's
most elegant shopping streets
(Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat and
Van Baerlestraat), and its
best-known park. The U.S. Consulate
is here, too.
Amsterdam East: A residential zone
on the far bank of the Amstel River
that is the location of sightseeing
attractions like the Maritime and
Tropical museums, and also of Artis,
the local zoo. It's an area of
Amsterdam that is rich in ethnic
minority groups.
Amsterdam South: This prestigious
modern residential area is the site
of a number of hotels, particularly
along Apollolaan, a broad avenue
which the locals call the Gold Coast
for its rows of expensive houses.
Amsterdam West: The district west of
the Singelgracht canal is extensive,
but contains no major tourist
attractions.
Amsterdam North: On the north bank
of the IJ channel, this district has
begun to change with new dining and
entertainment possibilities opening
up.
Attractions
Amsterdam's Historisch Museum
Kalverstraat 92
Phone: 523-1822
The museum is located within what
was a former convent and orphanage
dating back to the sixteenth
century. Various sections of the
museum, however, date back to the
thirteenth century, a time when the
city development was booming. The
exhibits portray the sequence of
events in Amsterdam's history from
early times to the present day. The
Begijnhof, a popular courtyard,
might be the perfect place to take a
break and enjoy the surrounding
scenery.
Anne Frankhuis
Prinsengracht 263
Phone: 556-7100
Guided tours by prior arrangement.
Quite possibly Amsterdam's most
often visited site, this was the
place where Anne Frank, her sister
Margot, her parents, and four other
Jews went into hiding in 1942. Anne
Frankhuis is a central fixture of
remembrance for the persecution
suffered during the war. The museum
not only stands as a symbol to
combat prejudice, discrimination and
oppression; but it also works
against current developments in
racism, Neo-Fascism and
anti-Semitism. A statue of Anne
Frank, as well as a display of
different editions of the diary, is
featured within the museum.
Hollandse Schouwburg
Plantage Middenlaan 24
Phone: 626-9945
During World War II, the theater was
used as a collection ground for Jews
who were to be sent off to the
camps. Standing as a small structure
amidst the streets of Amsterdam,
this building embodies a large
portion of the tragedy that befell
this era.
Universiteitsmuseum de Agnietenkapel
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 231
Phone: 525-3341
Amsterdam is a city of outstanding
architectural style. The
Agnietenkapel, built in 1473 and
part of the university since its
foundation in 1632, is a wonderful
representation of the Gothic style
that once filled the chapels of
Amsterdam. The chapel combines the
effect of an austere interior with
the beauty exquisite craftsmanship
of its lovely stained-glass windows.
The showcases the history of
education, research and student
life.
Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam
Plantage Kerklaan 61
Phone: 620-2535
The Museum of the Resistance
includes collections of artifacts
and interactive displays that
represent the resistance movement
within Amsterdam. The museum focuses
attention on such themes as
sabotage, espionage and the February
Deportation to Birkenau. An
interesting feature within the
museum is that visitors can hear
authentic replicas of wartime
broadcasts as they examine the space
designed to replicate a wartime
family hideout.
Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art
Paulus Potterstraat 13 (at
Museumplein).
Phone: 020-573-2737
Amsterdam's contemporary art museum
showcases the works of not only
modern Dutch painters such as Karel
Appel, Willem de Kooning, and Piet
Mondrian, but the museum also has a
section to illustrate the works of
French artists: Chagall, Cézanne,
Picasso, Renoir, Monet, and Manet.
American modern artist also have a
section of their own. In fact, the
museum features one of the largest
collection of paintings by the
abstract Russian artist Kasimir
Malevich.
The Rijksmuseum
Stadhouderskade 42 (behind
Museumplein, halfway between
Leidseplein and Wetering-plantsoen)
Phone: 020-673-2121 or
0900-8898-1212
The Rijksmuseum includes a
magnificent collection of works by
Dutch artists, including one of the
most famous works, The Night Watch,
by Rembrandt. A great feature for
visitors is the museum's
touch-screen interactive information
center. The new system provides
visitors with information on over
700 of the museum's exhibits.
Van Gogh Museum
Paulus Potterstraat 7 (at
Museumplein)
Phone: 020-570-5200
Van Gogh's paintings were defined by
seven distinct periods, and this is
the way the museum is laid out. The
Van Gogh collection, which consists
of more than 200 pieces, is arranged
in chronological order, allowing
visitors to glimpse the 10-year
career of this great artist.
New Metropolis Science and
Technology Center
Oosterdok 2
Phone: 0900-919-1100
A great outing for the family! This
science and technology hub, features
of hands-on interactive displays, a
museum, demonstrations, workshops,
and theater and film show. The
museum is a port for learning, and
the technology provides
Internet-linked computers on every
floor.
Heineken Reception Center
Stadhouderskade 78 (on the
Singelgracht, near the Rijksmuseum)
Phone: 020-523-9666
Dating back to 1868, these former
Heineken brewing facilities now
offer visitors the chance to tour
the brewing process, as well as
learn about the company's history.
Guides will lead you past the
fermentation tanks and a multiscreen
video wall showcases 5,000 years of
brewing history. The impressive
brewery show, and the two
complimentary glasses of Heineken,
draw visitors in year round.
The Netherlands Experience
Waterlooplein 17
Phone: 020-422-2233
The Netherlands Experience offers
visitors a complete tour of the
Netherlands. The multidimensional
film and theater show provides
scenic views and historical stories
of the development of the
Netherlands. A feature of the
Netherlands experience is the
simulated display outlining what
would happen if the 80,000 liters of
salt water were to penetrate the
dikes’ system of defense.
Madame Tussaud's Amsterdam
Dam 20
1012 NP Amsterdam
Phone: 31-020-523-0623
Fax: 31-020-523-0629
The glory of the Netherlands's
Golden Age is the focus of this
unique wax museum. Moving wax
figures depict a historical journey
through the Netherlands. The special
effects help to create a vivid
impression of life in Holland.
Canal trips
Holland Casino Amsterdam
Holland Casino Amsterdam is in
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland,
Netherlands and is open 1:30pm-3am
daily, closed May 4th and Dec. 31.
The 92,664 square foot casino
features 576 slots and fifty-five
table games. The property has one
restaurant.
Damrak by Central Station, and Rokin
by the Spui
While visiting Amsterdam, don’t miss
out on a boat tour. The canal trips
offer visitors a unique view of
Amsterdam from the water. The tours
take visitors around the city and
through the harbor.
Canal Bikes
(Westerkerk, Leidseplein,
Leidsestraat, Rijksmuseum)
Canal Bikes provide a challenge to
brave the waters and create your own
tour through Amsterdam's canals.
Canal bikes can be rented from most
locations, and they allow visitors
to choose their own route of travel,
as well as provide a unique
experience of riding over the water.
Electrische Museum Tramlijn
Amsterdam
Haarlemmermeerstation,
Amstelveenseweg 264
Phone: 0900-673-7538
The Electrische is unlike most
ordinary museums. This one offers
children a ride through history!
Visitors can take a closer look at
the antique electric tram carriages
as well as embark on a 60-minute
round trip in one of the antique
trolleys.
Archeon
Archeonlaan 1, Alphen aan den Rijn
Phone: 0172- 447-744
The Archeon offers visitors of all
ages a trip through ancient times.
Visitors can stroll through the
dinosaur era or take a take a tour
of the ancient Rome. The museum
specializes in interactive and
hands-on exhibits.
Efteling
Europalaan 1, Kaatsheuvel, Noord
Brabant
Phone: 0416- 288-111
Efteling is an enormous fairytale
forest where children and adults
alike can venture into Grimm's
fairytales and the Tales of the
Arabian Nights. The village is full
of dwarves and witches, enchanted
and haunted castles. Efteling also
provides its visitors with thrill
rides in this state-of-the-art
amusement park.
Madurodam
George Maduroplein 1, The Hague Den
Haag
Phone: 070-355-3900
Madurodam features scale models of
some of the Netherlands's most
famous sights - everything from
Rotterdam's Erasmus Bridge to
Schiphol Airport. The miniature
village is built on a 1:25 ratio.
Museum van Speelklok tot Pierrement
Buurkerkhof 10, Utrecht
Phone: 030-231-2789
Museum van Speelklok tot Pierrement
showcases a unique antique
collection of mechanical music
boxes, circus, fairground and street
organs. There is also a large
selection of featured toys that
children can enjoy.
Nederlands Spoorwegmuseum
Maliebaanstation 16, Utrecht
Phone: 030-230-6206
The National Railway Museum is
located in an historic station,
where visitors can examine more than
60 locomotives. At the museum,
children can hop aboard one of the
miniature Intercity and TGV lines. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
