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Cheap holidays in Amsterdam

Why not search our database of Cheap holidays in Amsterdam now by visiting the holidayco.co.uk homepage and using the search facility.

Amsterdam is the heart of the Netherlands, even though the capital is The Hague. A charming and romantic mix of ancient and modern, Amsterdam is the country's largest city, famed for its canals and historical buildings – and for its internationally-renowned red light district.

Amsterdam was a major centre for trade in the 17 th century, and although it has suffered mixed fortunes since much of the splendour of those times remains.

Getting around Amsterdam is easy. There is a direct rail link from the airport to the central railway station as well as shuttle buses to the city centre. There is a good network of buses, trams and tube trains within the city. Traffic is fairly light so walking or travelling by bicycle like many of the locals is a good option. Bike hire is cheap at around 8 Euros per day. Hiring a car is really only worth it if you intend to go outside the city.

For a slightly different travel experience, take the Canal Bus, which has three routes encompassing all of the city's main attractions. The Museumboot also uses the canals to reach its destinations – in this case the city's main museums.

Accommodation and Food

Amsterdam is a major city with a range of accommodation available to suit all budgets. Food is also very varied. The city has over a thousand restaurants serving international and traditional Dutch cuisine. The dishes on offer range from the familiar fast food to Argentinean, Chinese, South African Dutch and Thai cuisine, steak, seafood and of course pancakes.

Lunchtime is usually between noon and 2PM, with breakfast served until about 10AM and dinner anytime between 5PM in the afternoon and 8PM in the evening. Many restaurants close at 10PM, though it is always possible to find some that are open later.

Activities

Amsterdam is famous for its museums and historical attractions. The most famous of Amsterdam's museums is the Rijksmuseum, or National Museum, but there is something for everyone no matter what their interests. For example there is a Houseboat Museum and a Jewish Museum.

Kids will like NEMO, a science and technology museum featuring many hands-on exhibits, while art lovers can spend hours in the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum and of course the Rijksmuseum.

Somewhat more sobering are Ann Frank House, which has part of Ann Frank's famous diary on display, and the Resistance Museum, which features the work of the Dutch Resistance in World War II. The Amstelkring Museum is also fairly solemn, containing collections of church silver and religious artefacts.

History buffs will like the Amsterdam Historical Museum and the Allard Pierson Museum, an archaeological collection, or the Willet-Holthuysen Museum, which shows how a wealthy Amsterdam family might have lived in the city's golden age of prosperity. The Film Museum is more up to date and features both Dutch and international classic movies.

If all this culture has you worn out, take a relaxing walk in the De Hortus Botanical Gardens. The Artis Zoo will also reward a visit. It has a planetarium, botanical gardens, a geological and a zoological museum. Or you could take a tour around the Heineken Experience.

There are many fascinating historical buildings and sights to see around the city. The best way to view them is to walk or hire a bike and just soak up the city's atmosphere as you go. One sight that many visitors come to Amsterdam especially for is the Red Light District. Not for the prudish, the district is something of a sexual amusement park and is visited by all kinds of people; not just those wanting to partake of the services on offer. The Sex Museum and Erotic Museum are located in the Red Light District. The Torture Museum is also rather unique.

Shopping and nightlife in Amsterdam are also good. The Leidseplein is very popular, with many clubs, restaurants and bars. Street entertainers are common in the area. Rembrandtplein is another good area for entertainment. For shopping, visit the Albert Cuypmarkt, one of the busiest outdoor markets in the world.

Why not search our database of Cheap holidays in Amsterdam now by visiting the holidayco.co.uk homepage and using the search facility.