Amsterdam travel tips - GLOBOsapiens

Canal Bridges
Herengracht corner Reguliersgracht is the most photographed place in Amsterdam because here are seven humpback bridges crossing the Reguliersgracht in quick succession. Only six arches can be seen because you are standingon the seventh. The sight is even more spectacular from a canal cruise boat. All tours stop here for a minute to allow you to have a good look and take photos. These are only seven of the 1300 bridges in Amsterdam. Those in the centre are lit by strings of lights which make a canal boat trip at night a wonderful experience. My favourite bridges: Magere Brug, a drawbridge spans the Amstel river, just south of Keizersgracht. The Blauwe Brug (Blue Bridge), also across the Amstel, the most decorated bridge, just north of Keizersgracht. Torensluis across Singel is the widest bridge and used as a café in summer. more

Cannabis College
Cannabis College is not so much a museum but more an information centre. The staff explains to visitors everything they need to know about buying weed, the uses of medicinal marijuana, War on Drugs and what hemp is used for. They have a grow room in the basement with weed plants on show. Staff explains how to grow and harvest weed plants. Upstairs is a small exhibition of the use of marijuana. They also sell all kinds of products connected with weed. Entrance is free, but a (compulsory) donation to see the grow room. more

Hotel Ibis Amsterdam Centre
Hotel Ibis Amsterdam Centre is truly in the centre of Amsterdam. It is next to the Central Train Station. The rooms are spacious enough and quite comfortable. It is a 100% non-smokers hotel. more

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Of over 40 airlines that I have flown there are two, "KLM" and "Emerates" that have shown perfect quality-price balances on numerous flights. KLM offers a vast selection of destinations via their hub "Schiphol Fluchhaven" at competitive prices and excellent service. As plane-spotter one of my dreams is to spend a week or two on St. Maartin Isand. Check this and other landings at www.atr56.it or specially www.atr56.it/images/Sxm%20-%2009-04.jpg more

Hostel Spy
A range of cheap hostels all around Europe, helped me a lot to find a good dorm. The nice thing about this site is that the telephone number is published so you can check the availabity. more

Rijksmuseum
Largest collection of art and history in the Netherlands; includes 20 Rembrandts & 4 Vermeers more

Amsterdams Historisch Museum
history of Amsterdam from 1400 to today more

Museum Amstelkring
Museum Amstelkring conceals in its attic Ons Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Lord in the Attic), a secret Catholic Church. Secret because at the end of the 16th century Calvanists expelled Catholics from Amsterdam. It became a protestant city and the faithful took refuse in clandistine Catholic churches which were converted floors or attics of existing houses. Ons Lieve Heer op Solder is one of them. The lower floors of the museum contain a drawing room furnished in 16th century Dutch style, a 19th century kitchen with black-and-white tiled floor and a fireplace with Delftware wall tiles. A large collection of church silver and religious artefacts is on display. The church is in the attic complete with a mock marble altar and altar paintings. On the landing stands a tiny wooden confession box. The resident priest lived in a box-size bedroom under the staircase. more

Museum Willet-Holthuysen
fully furnished canal house more

Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace)
neo-classical architecture, sculptures and paintings more

Canal Bus
Convenient HopOn-HopOff feature. Discount coupons with Canal Pass. more

The Old Bell
The Old Bell is a typical eetcafé and English-style pub located at Rembrandtplein. The square is lined with restaurants and pubs, all with outside seating in summer. The square is overlooked by the painter Rembrandt himself, and the twenty-two characters in bronze of his most famous painting de Nachtwacht. Eetcafés are popular and may serve anything from simple snacks to full three-course meals. The Old Bell's menu is all in English, no Dutch translations. The all time British favourites Fish 'n Chips and meat pies stand next to classic Wiener Schnitzel or typically Dutch croquettes and saté. But it's the beer on draught that draws the crowd; Guinness Stout, Murphy's Red or Hoegarden White. The wide range of bottled beers are also worth a closer look. What about a Kriek, Duvel, Oud Bruin or Beck's. more

Friday Night: Skating Night
Grab your skates don tomato red clothes and join Friday Night Skate. Anyone can join as long as they are experienced skaters who can brake in expected and unexpected circumstances. Besides, they will have to keep up with the group's speed. If not, the advice is practise and join the tour next month. Wrist, elbow and knee protection as well as a helmet are not fashion gear but essential items as the twenty-kilometre tour runs across challenging roads and obstacles. Sailing along the asphalt stretches of road is a piece of cake, but a good way to get into the mood. Steep bridges, multi-storeyed car parks, cobbled lanes, canal paths, dark tunnels and uneven pavements demand attention and skill. Route planners set out a new route every month. Two stops are included before and after twenty kilometres of fun skating it is back to base. Weather permitting, one tour a month from April to October. more

Buienradar
Rain or Shine? Weather forecast for the Netherlands and Belgium Buienradar is one of my favourite websites. (Buien itranslates as rain showers.) It shows where in the Netherlands it is raining or will rain in the next two hours. The site shows radar images of KNMI, the Dutch Meteorological Institute. The only problem is that the site is in Dutch, I don't think this is a big problem because the images speak for themselves. Translation Help On the left it says: actuele buien meaning present showers and afgelopen 2 uur means past 2 hours. I don't find this information very useful because who want to know what the weather was like two or more hours ago Lower down it says: verwachting meaning (weather) outlook. This is the interesting bit because if you click on the times it will show you what rain to expect the next two hours. Navigate across the yellow dots on the map and the place names will be shown. Click on a dot to zoom in. more

Amsterdam on a Budget; Schuttersgallerij
View the Schuttersgallerij or Civic Guards gallery, a 17th century portrait gallery portraying members of the Civic Guards. Each member had to pay to be included in the painting. As the fees were high only influencial and important people were portrayed. This was a lucrative business for painters in those days. The best known work of art of this genre is De Nachtwacht (Nightwatch) by Rembrandt. (If you want to see this you'll have to go the Rijksmuseum and pay an entrance fee.) This is part of Amsterdams Historisch Museum, Kalverstraat 92. more

Soup en Zo
Soup en Zo is very popular and with good reason. Fifteen different home-made soups tempt Amsterdamers back on a regular basis. My favourite is deep orange pumpkin soup flavoured with cumin and coriander. Velvety peanut soup is my second choice. Chunky slices of whole-grain bread make it into a complete meal. The soup chef and his staff prepare fifteen different soups each day, both meat-based and vegetarian. The soups are sold in carton containers with lids, sized large, larger and largest. I was amazed to find out that my soup stayed hot for at least thirty minutes. more

Tassenmuseum Hendrikje (Museum of Bags)
Hand bags, evening bags, shopping bags, plastic bags, beaded bags and any other bag you can think of is on display in the BAG MUSEUM. The 'telephone bag' is a true gem and believe it or not it can be used for phone calls. If all these bags are too tantalising for you visit the Museum Shop and inspect their large collection of bags. You are sure to find one to your liking. more

Proeflokaal In de Wildeman
Proeflokaal translates as tasting bar. They are places that specialise in wine, liqueur or beer and date back to 17th century. This was a time of great wealth, merchant traded with the east and money jingled intheir pockets. In order to increase sales of wine and liqueur, merchants were invited to taste the product. This was done in a 'proeflokaal'. Amsterdam still has several tasting bars In de Wildeman, Kolksteeg 3, beer. In de Olofspoort, Brugsteeg 13, in liqueurs In de Ooievaar, Herengracht 319, liqueur and jenever Wynand Fockink, Pijlsteeg 31, De Drie Fleschjes, Gravenstraat 18, liqueur, wine and jenever more

Museum Het Schip
Housing project Het schip was built in 1921 to replace the slums in this part of Amsterdam. The complex is a typical example of Amsterdam School architecture which is characterised by steamlined windows, intricate brickwork and undulating rooflines. Het Schip (the ship) with its curving facade, needle-shaped spire and lateral windows resembles an ocean-going liner. Its architect was Michel de Klerk who like many Amsterdam School architects believed that unusual architecture would enhance the residents' lives. Indeed, moving from the slums to these housing estates must have improved the life of many labourers. One of the houses in the complex is open to the public and furnished in 1920s style. It is a very small house considering that most families had five or more children. Still it was a vast improvement from their previous home. The museum is open from Wednesdays–Sundays 1-5 pm more

Dockworker Statue
This bronze statue was unveiled in 1952 and commemorates the 1941 February Strike when dockworkers protested against the deportation of Jewish residents. Each year, on 25 February a commemoration service is held on this spot. The statue is easy to find as it is just beside the Portuguese Synagogue. more

De Dageraad (interesting architecture)
De Dageraad is one of the many buildings designed by architects de Klerk en Kramer and typical of Amsterdam School architecture. It was built during 1920-1923 and a direct result of the 1901 Housing Act which forced the City Council to clear the slums. Amsterdam School is characterised by curves and rolls in the brick exterior of the buildings. A conrete underlayer made these brick rolls and curves technically possible. Other characteristics are decorative doors and windows. De Dageraad is a very good example of this type of architecture. The building givesthe impression of horizontal movement because of its streamlined windows and undulating roof. More Amsterdam School style buildings can be found in Nieuw Zuid, the part of Amsterdam that was built in the run up to the 1928 Olympics. Especially noteworthy is the bridge at Olympiaplein and Amsterdams Lyceum at Valeriusplein 15 more

Hill Street Blues / coffeeshop
This coffeeshop is not easy to miss as loud music wafts into the street. It is a low-key place that attracts all kind of people also those that are not interested in smoking joints. Comfortable sofas with canal view are the best place to chill out with or without mind-enhancing stuff. If you want to be more active try out the pool table, table football or beat your opponent at chess or backgammon. They have the full range of smoking accessories, but also milkshakes, smoothies, ice-creams and fruitshakes. As is the case in many coffeeshops no alcohol is served. Leave you name on the big canvass and see what other celebrities have left their signature on the wall. Adding your name to the graffity work of art will make your name immortal. more

Greenhouse Effect
The Greenhouse Effect is a multi-purpose establishment. It is a hotel, bar and coffeeshop, not a Starbucks type of coffee shop, but that goes without saying. The coffeeshop is a low-key place where you can buy your stuff and smoke it or you can enjoy your joint in the hotel bar. Check-in is at Warmoesstraat 55. All rooms have cable television, mini-bar and mini-safe. All rooms are ensuite. Three rooms share their bathroom. €70 for standard single room. Ensuites singles are € 80, and doubles / twins €110. Breakfast is served from 9 – 12 and is not included. It will set you back € 5. The location is perfect, 2 mins on foot from the Central Station, the Red Light District is round the corner. Shopping, museum and sights are all within walking distance. more

Kadinsky Coffeeshop
Kadinsky Coffeeshop is in a dinky alley near Spui. It is a great place to chill out expecially when you grab a seat at the bench in front of the window. This is the perfect place to watch tourists, locals and cyclists battle through the small alley. Enjoy the jazzy dance sound, your joint and the reasonable prices. If you only want to taste the atmosphere, Kadinsky serves excellent coffee and delicious chocolate-chip cookies. When you are in a larger group or look young you may be asked for your ID, so don't leave it in your hotel. Coffeeshops are checked regularly by the police and may be shut down if anyone under 18 is on the premises. more

The Rembrandt House Museum
Museum Het Rembrandthuis is the house where Rembrandt van Rijn lived twenty years of his life, until he was declared bankrupt. The museum is now home to a collection of 250 of Rembrandt's etchings. The new wing houses temporary exhibitions. The house itself it also worth a closer look. The exterior has little changed since Rembrandt's days. The interior looks exactly the way it did when Rembrandt lived here. When he was evicted after bankruptcy, stock was taken of his possessions. That's why we know what possessions he had and what the interior of his house looked like. All four floors have been refurbished. There is his box bed, his studio where most of the artist's works were produced and where he taught and inspired young promision painters. His painting tools, his brushes, it seems as if the master is still there. more

Museum Pass
Entree fees to Dutch museums range from €5 - €10. Museumkaart adm Holland Pass are to ways to get discounts on entry fees. 1. Museumkaart at €35 is valid for one year and allows free entry to 400 museums all over the Netherlands. 2. The Holland Pass €25, allows five free admissions to museums and attractions, and includes 25 discount vouchers (some of shops and restaurants) . http://www.hollandpass.com It all depends how long you stay in the Netherlands, how often you visit and what you want to see. Both websites allow you to see what museums/ attractions allow you what discounts. more

Heineken Experience
Heineken was once Amsterdam's main brewery. The 135-year old building now houses an ultra-modern interactive multimedia experience.: The Heineken Experience. How does it feel to be a bottle of Heineken? What is needed to brew beer? Who made Heineken great? Answers to these question will have to wait until summer 2008, when renovations will have been completed. Sneak preview: http://www.heinekenexperience. more

Vleminckx Friet (french fries/chips)
Patat (french fries) stands are found throughout Amsterdam. The fries are hot and crispy outside and moist inside, you can have your selection of sauces. Mayonnaise is the Dutch favourite, but peanut or curry sauce topped with raw onions are equally popular. The French cut their fries thinly and deepfry them until they are orangey-golden and crisp. That's the way the French like them. The Dutch like theirs cut slightly thicker but equally crisp. The way I like my 'friet' is the Flemish way. Their fries are thick, hand-cut and fried just to a golden colour. The best place to get them is in Voetboogstraat, between Spui en Heiligenweg. Be sure to come before 6pm. Just join the queue in front of Vleminckx friet stand. Your fries are served in a paper cone with a tiny wooden fork and topped with one of their many sauces; just plain mayo (mayonnaise), lemon flavoured mayo, ketchup or any other of the sauces on their menu. more

Sex museum
It is not difficult to find the Sex Museum. A queue will tell you where it is. Funnily enough most visitors are men. This doesn't mean that the museum is not suited for women. When I visited I was in giggles most of the, not so much because of the exhibits but simply looking at the men who thought this was serious business. The first room is quite dull. It shows a collection of literature and manuscripts of sex through the ages. I then went to another room which was very popular with the male visitors. There are small padded booths, for one euro you can make your selection from eight different porno movies. I selected one but in fact it was all over before I really started looking at it. I’m sure it was not longer than one minute. Upstairs it gets more interesting: the gallery of uncommon sexual desires and pornographic pictures. I felt tired sat down on one of the huge penis chairs which vibrated every minute while I did a bit of people-watching and in particular men-watching. more

Erotic Museum
The Erotic Museum is right in the middle of the Red Light District. There are five floors so there is a lot to see. My expectations were high but I was slighly disappointed as I had expected not so much 'real' art. When I saw Jonh Lennon’s lithographs, his wedding present to Yoko, I thought I was in a normal museum.

The complete floor of Sado Masochistic objects and scenes was more what I had expected. And so was the room decorated as a grotto, with toadstools for chairs, showing Walt Disney type cartoons but when I had a closer look they proved to be hard pornography.

Another floor, which shows a large collection of erotic postcards, photos and erotic books was quite dull after the ‘Walt Disney’ experience. The entire top floor consists of dioramas, which you bettter see for yourself.

All in all I think it is well worth a visit. more

Amsterdam Botel 2**
Amsterdam Botel is a very unusual hotels as it is a hotel on a boat. A boat that never sails. The location is perfect as it is almost next to Amsterdam Central Train Station. When you get out of the station turn left and follow the signs city centre. Walk past the bus terminal and you will see the Botel in front of you. There are single, double (with kingsize bed), twin rooms (two single beds) and triple rooms (with single bunk beds). You can eithetr have canal view or land view. Canal view is more expensive than land view. In 2007 prices range from € 89 for a single land view to € 124 for triple canal view. more

NH City Centre
In a quiet zone (Spui), in the southern part of the Nieuwe Zijde, at the end of spuistraat. Our room was small but clean and its window faced the Singel channel. The staff is always kind. May 2005. more


You are here: Europe > Netherlands > Amsterdam > travel tips