AMSTERDAM, THE CITY OF LIFE (Amsterdam)

Member Name: SONIC1971

Product:	Amsterdam
Date:	18/10/02 (312 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: PEOPLE, MUSEUMS, CANALS

Disadvantages: NONE

AH Amsterdam. Thats really all you need to say. But i will go on. You think of Amsterdam and what do you visualise. SEX capital of the world. However, it is not always famous for this and stag doos.

Amsterdam is full of atmosphere, culture and history. The City's intensity and historic decor stimulate all the senses. Numerous world cultures are represented in welcoming, multi coloured Amsterdam. This is reflected in the art and culture, the highly varied shops and the many restaurants. The 17th century atmosphere of the canals, the canal side houses and the many monuments form the unique decor which has been known for centuries for its freedom and tolerance. At the same time Amsterdam is a lively, bustling city.

Last year, myself and my new wife spent a week in Amsterdam, for our honeymoon. In the city of love.
It was the greatest week of my life, not just because it was my honeymoon, but because of Amsterdam itself.

We went by Ferry from Newcastle upon Tyne, which only cost us £482 (inc 4 nights stay in the hotel Eden, a 4 star hotel in the city).

The crossing was plesent enough, in December. Once in Holland, it was just a short bus ride (included in the cost) to your Hotel. The Hotel was fabulous and in the centre of Amsterdam.

The first thing that you should do on arrival, is pay a visit to the toursist information shop and pick up an Amsterdam Pass. This pass costs 25 guilders and includes free passes, cheap passes to a number of tourist attractions.

One of the best vouchers was for a free liquor at a tasting house called the "De Drie Fleschjes".

The pass covers:

A travel ticket on the Trams for three days.

Holland International

One of the companies who run the canal boats, offering a free cruise. They also run a candle lit cruise around the city. This gives a unique perspective and splendid view of Amsterdam. You can lean back in a comfortable seat and he
ar information in 4 languages about the architecture and the bridges and the wealth of Amsterdam. Including the famous skinny bridge.

Rijksmuseum, where the famous paint, the nightwatch is residing. This is a marvellous painting.
This museum is renowned for its collections.

Van Gogh Museum

Lovers of Van Gogh can enjoy over 200 of his paintings.

Amsterdam Historich Museum

Here you can make your own voyage of discovery through Amsterdams past and present history. As well as its impressive collection, including archaeological finds and models, the museum offers a number of attractions, such as the civic guard gallary where a number of 17th century portraits are hanging on the public thoroughfare.

Maritime Museum

Amsterdams maritime museum is housed in a former naval warehouse. Dating from 1655, the building contains one of the mose important maritime collections in the world.

Madame Tussauds

The dutch madame tussauds covers the dutch golden age where the 17th century comes alive. Afterwards you will meet world leaders and entertainers. and the dutch royal family.

The Amsterdam Diamond Group

A free tour around a diamond making establishment. I did not really enjoy this one as it is really going into a jewellers on the high street and someone explainging to you how diamonds are made and polished.

Hollan Casino Amsterdam

For all the gamblers out there, you can try your luck in the casino, where you can bet on roulette or blackjack or the big wheel

Sloten Wind Mill.

This windmill dates from 1847, me and the wife visited this on a cold and wet windy day. We were the only people there (we must have been mad). This windmill is still in use and you will be given a guided tour of the mill.

There are many more places this pass covers. One of the other places you could visit is the Anne Frank House. This is a very moving experience. <
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Most of the attractions will cost around 5 and 20 guilders. Not really a lot.

The night life is excellent, plenty of bars and restaurants, which are open late into the night.

This is a relxing city, where nobody minds what you do. You may be approached by drug dealers, in the red light district side at night. If you are not interested in drugs, like me, then you just ignore them and do not say a word. If you say something, then they will have a hold on you.

The other down side of the city is the transport. There is too much. When crossing the road you have to watch out for buses, trams, coaches, cars, taxis and bikes. The foot passenger has no right of way. so watch out. Other than that it is well worth a trip to this amazing city to experience the people, culture and food and drink

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