What shall we DO today in Amsterdam???
Okay, still not sure if Amsterdam is the destination of your choice?
Not sure if you want to spend your time in museums and wooden clogs?
Amsterdam has so much more to offer, let me give you a few ideas to dream
about, ok?
A mistake visitors regularly make is to try & do too much in a short period
of time. My advice is: You are on holiday! Make a list of your priorities
and try then to do half! On your return visit to Amsterdam you will know
then exactly what you want to do & see.
So here are a couple of interesting things to do that your neighbour didn’t
do on his trip to Amsterdam:
• First idea
Take a walk to Central Station, stopping on the way at any one of the
many bakeries and fill up a bag with a picnic lunch. At Central Station,
rent a bicycle, then with the bike, you walk into the hall and purchase a
return ticket for both you and the bike to Zaanse Schans.
Ask at the same time which platform and time, trains leave every 10 or 15
minutes. Get into the train at the back as there you have room for your iron
steed.
At Koog aan de Zaan you alight and follow the signs to Zaanse Schans,
cycling along the dyke. Once there, just a few minutes biking, lock your
bike up and wander around, taking in the sights of working windmillls and
other such delights.
Then I would suggest you board the trusty steed and cycle further out of
town, along the small and windy road. Once you have chosen your picnic spot,
throw the bike down onto the grass and enjoy the food and scenery.
• Next idea
Same as above, except this time you don’t buy a train ticket, just walk
straight through the station until you reach the other side.
There you will find a ferry that will carry you and your bike over the Ij
water to the other side of the city.
Go on, cycle around and compare the architecture of the building on the
north side of the city to the centre, what a difference!
• Third idea
Speaking of architecture, did I mention that the same architect designed
not only the grand central station and the Rijks Museum, but also the old
Main Post Office which has now been turned into a wonderful shopping centre.
Take some photos of all 3 building and see that which I mean. Should you pop
in the Magna Plaza, (old post office which is right across the street from
the palace) do take the opportunity to enjoy a ride in the glass elevator,
rather like Cinderella in her glass carriage!
• Fourth idea
Walking around any city is the way to get around, you can always pick up
a tram home. Our transport system is cheap, easy to use, and second to none
in Europe.
Around the Anne Frank area is the Jordaan, old working class area. Excellent
choice to walk around there, peer into windows and check out the unexpected
hidden courtyards.
| Shopping in Amsterdam Shopping is my favourite past time and I am sure I am not the only one….Behind Clemens Hotel is again another special area of streets, called the 9 streets. Here you will find unusual shops, the like of which you will never find else where! Let me give you some examples, what do you think of a shop that caters only to dolls? The Dolls Doctor is the name of this delightful shop, I kid you not! Then again how about the shop selling only buttons and beads? A shop selling second hand 1940 clothes in mint condition….the stunning tea shop that has not changed in décor for more than 100 years? Enjoy a pot of freshly brewed tea and sample the delights of pastries and chocolates still made by hand, upstairs; this is definitely my choice of destination for a well earned break after too much walking. Old fashioned shops, designer shops, new age shops, modern mixed with old, all to be found in this pretty area called the 9 streets. |
Well, as you can see, these are but a few of the delights in store for
you, shopping in Amsterdam does not have to be the same old, same
old……Literally hundreds of unusual shops, often hidden in small streets,
they are a delight to stumble upon
How about this one for something out of the ordinary...hundreds & hundres of
different condoms, don’t be shy, pop in for a look.
Condomerie Het Gulden Vlies
141 Warmoesstraat
Should you decide to take in some Art & Culture:
The below link is interesting as it gives the exhibitions information.
Amsterdam Museums
the 32 most important museums in Amsterdam ,
exhibition listings and info about the museums
www.amsterdammuseums.nl
Amsterdam has some fifty museums which
attract many millions of visitors each year. The main ones are....
www.amsterdam.nl/e_artculture/museums.html
"What should we do today?"
Still don’t know?
I am in the reception every day and love nothing more that helping you plan
your day.
Depending on your interest, the weather (!) your pocket book, we can help
you plan anything from a day at the beach, a historic walk in the Jordaan
area, a visit to the many antique markets to an extensive shopping trip that
wont break the bank!
Whether you're shopping, sightseeing, or just going cross town, you're bound
to end up at the recently remodelled Dam Square sooner or later.
A warning, however! For all you ladies out there packing your suitcases for
Amsterdam, beware the cobbles on the streets of Amsterdam! Killing on the
feet if you are wearing high heels, so be sure to pack some nice comfy
walking shoes!