Amsterdam is a city like no other, steeped in culture and a
cultural mix unseen anywhere in Europe. Apparently, Amsterdam has the largest
concentration of museums when compared to any other city in the world. With its
stunning Canal views, charming and cheap coffee shops, a tongue-in-cheek sex
tourism business and European charm, this is one of those destinations that the
Wish Traveler recommends that you go to at least once in your lifetime. Let’s examine
a couple of things about this multicultural city that makes it a hit as far as
European travel holidays are concerned.
Getting to Amsterdam
You can book direct flights to Amsterdam from the US by
using carriers such as Lufthansa and
Delta Airlines. The Amsterdam Airport is
known as Schipol International Airport, and it usually takes 7 hours if you
catch a flight from New York’s JFK Airport. Expect to pay around $1200 for a
round trip ticket. This figure is a rough estimate, so please check with your
local tour operator for exact fare prices.
Getting Around
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Picture courtesy geotypico.com |
The Amsterdam weather is cool enough for you to walk around lightly
dressed, but this depends on the time of year. If you’re looking for that great
warm weather and longer days, you’d be better off visiting Amsterdam anywhere
between April and September. At the same time, if you’re looking for great
bargains all round in terms of cheap airfare, hotel and food prices, then pack
up your bags and head on down to this fabulous European city between late
October and early March.
Here’s a couple of places that you should check out while here:
The Anne Frank Museum
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Picture courtesy thegirlfromtheghetto.wordpress.com |
This is a place that tells the story of Ann Frank, a Jewish
girl who escaped persecution from the Nazis during World War II. She hid with
her family in a cramped house and religiously kept a diary that spoke of her
thoughts of what it meant to be a girl blossoming with the passage of time, and
what she thought about the invasion and persecution happening around her. She
is one brave girl, and I'm hoping that this
this museum will leave you with many questions about what you’ve
done to give back to the environment you live in.
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Picture courtesy public.fotki.com |
The Vincent Van Gogh Museum
The museum is a loving tribute of the 19th
century artist and painter who captured the art world and transcended many
boundaries, helping people understand abstract art. Some of the masterpieces
you can find here include The Sunflowers, The Bedroom in Arles and the Potato
Eaters. If you want to visit this architectural marvel of a museum, early mornings
are the best time given the crowds that throng the museum later on in the day.
The Best in Amsterdam Hotels
Some great choices include Hotel Okura and
Hotel Pulitzer . The
former is located next to the canals, offering magical views of verdant
gardens. Rooms start at 224 Euros, and has a hotel boat that takes visitors
down Amsterdam’s canals to savor the beauty of this section of the city.
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Picture courtesy intlenglish.info |
If you’re feeling adventurous, check out the Red Light District,
where women of different nationalities gesture at you from their lit windows,
promising a night of excitement and unbridled passion, courtesy of the booming
and legalized sex business. This is an adults-only section of the city, so if
you are planning a family vacation, then this probably isn’t the best place to
take your kids.
However, the many coffee shops situated along the canals are
great places to unwind while drinking authentic European beer and taking in the
sights, smells and sounds of one of Europe’s old and enchanting cities.
The Wish Traveler hopes you have an amazing time in
Amsterdam!