Exploring Amsterdam – Important tips

  When decide to spend your vacation in Netherlands, it is important to reserve some days for Amsterdam - check our rentals available.

  The biggest city of the country, Amsterdam, lies on the banks of two rivers IJ and the Amstel. One of the best ways to know this city is by strolling along its picturesque canals with their brick houses, some of them gradually sinking due to the fact that they are built on piles. You can see numerous houseboats standing on the canals.

  They prove the difficulty to build new houses in the

old city. Due to the absence of wide roads and tall buildings, Amsterdam has the atmosphere of a small town. Another striking feature of Amsterdam is the dominance of the bicycle as mean of transportation. And so you have the second way to explore the city: by bike.

  Amsterdam is well known in the world as an international port but it is in the same time as an important cultural centre due to Rijksmuseum - host of

major exhibitions, Stedelijk Museum and many art galleries. The cultural life is completed by concerts performed by Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Hollandfestival of theatre, the Prinsengrachtfestival outside the Pulitzerhotel in summer and Ultmarkt.

  The city has the best offer of nightlife in the world: cosy cafes, trendy alternative bars, discos, night – clubs and the infamous red-light district, the Walletjets.

  Amsterdam is known as a very tolerant city. As elsewhere in the Netherlands, many caffee shops sell soft drugs quite legally. 

  If you plan visiting Amsterdam you need information about accommodation and spending time possibilities.

  -Where to stay:

  The red guide Benelux gives a detailed list of hotels in each area. Hotels have been divided in three categories:

  -    Moderate: small, simple but comfortable hotels, charging less than 195fl/room.

  -    Mid-range: pleasant hotels with their own distinctive charm, costing between 195fl and 350fl/ night

  -    Luxury: very comfortable and well located luxury hotels with high level prices.

   Where to eat 

  The restaurants in Amsterdam offer to travellers and locals a huge variety of eating experiences. One can find here moderate range restaurants, mid-range restaurants and luxury ones. 

  Depending on your choice, you can experience here: Dutch specialities such as kapucijners, kidney beans served with bacon and onion; French cuisine, Indonesian food, exotic mixed cuisine and many others.

  - Out and about in Amsterdam

  Amsterdam is believed to have over thousand cafes, well known fort their cosy atmosphere. Some of them serve snacks and simple meals.

  The area next to Leidseplein has wealth or small theatres, cafes, cinemas and discos and the Holland Casino.

  Rembrandtplein is famous for its restaurants, terrace cafes and clubs.

  -  Drinking

 Brown cafes are called Dutch phenomenon due to their nicotine-stained ceilings and wooden decorated interiors. They are not very large and quickly crowded.

  Proeflokalen  meaning “tasting place” is the place where everyone can taste gin and other spirits before purchase them.

  Coffee shops – are places where you can get a drink, but their main purpose is to sell legal soft drugs.

  - Markets 

  Markets are the great place for people watching even if you don’t buy anything. The most important are: Albert Cuypmarkt, Flower market, Book market, Flea market, Antiques market, Indoor flea market.

  These are only few marks for a visit in Amsterdam. If you choose it as a destination for holidays for 2012 , there are many other places to see and things to do.