Twenty-Four…or more in Amsterdam
30 01 2012
Where are we again?
Hello one and all and this week we have a new wanderer helping us out….Nicola’s sister, Katie, has been to visit…..well do I even have to say it? Amsterdam!
What’s the latest? what do you have to see? Tell us Katie:
Amsterdam is (in)famous for its coffee houses and red light district. However, if you delve deeper, there are many other sides to Amsterdam – everything cultural, historical and beautiful! Whether it’s a day-trip, or you’re passing by enroute to another European city, a long layover at AMS airport or a weekend break, Amsterdam has a lot to offer.
Spending some time in Amsterdam? Here are some tips, ideas and general tidbits. The possibilities are endless:
* Explore the maze of canals on foot, or rent a bike and pedal like the locals! There are as many bikes as there are people in Amsterdam (bike rental: 8 – 10 euros per day). Or do it in the form of water on a canal cruise with commentary (price: 8 – 10 euros for an hour cruise)
* Van Gogh Museum – see his transition from dark paintings of peasants to paintings with Japanese influence to pointillism
How to get around Amsterdam? A bike, perhaps?
* Rijksmuseum – and see the I AMSTERDAM life size statue right outside
* Anne Frank House – brought the diary to life, every high schooler who read the diary MUST go here!
* Dutch Resistance Museum – see who made the choice: adjust – collaborate – resist during WWII
* Museum Rembrandthuis- see a live demonstration of how Rembrandt made his own paint each day!
* Get the ‘I Amsterdam card’ this includes public transport and museum entry, well worth it! For 24 hours = 40 euros, 48 hours = 50 euros, 72 hours = 60 euros.
* Worried you don’t speak Dutch? No worries, they speak English better than you and I!
Get your clogs here!
* The floating flower market is also a sight to see – all varieties of tulips and other bulbs. Good place to pick up gifts for friends and family… such as clogs!
* Pop in to one of the Pancake houses, which serve Dutch mini-pancakes called ‘poffertjes’
* You will see ‘XXX’ all over the city. This is not a reference to the red light district! It is the symbol of the city, the three crosses of St.Andrew, and stand for the 3 dangers of medieval Amsterdam ‘fire, floods, plague’
* People who own stunning houses in the Jordaan district are endearingly termed DINKs = ‘double income, no kids’!
The bottom line: Don’t be a DINKus, and go and see Amsterdam for yourself!
