Category Archives: Amsterdam Tour
The Jordaan area in Amsterdam
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Amsterdam’s Greenwich village, the Jordaan neighbourhood is perfect for an evening stroll. Its archaic houses, canals, interesting shops,restaurants, art galleries, museums and narrow alleyways all add up to form a warm atmosphere.
The Lijnbaansgracht canal, the Prinsengracht and the Brouwersgracht are the three main canals of this area. The museums present here though small feature a number of interesting items. They include the Pianola museum with old mechanical pianos, a literate museum Theo Thijssen, a houseboat museum, and a fluorescent museum called Electric Lady Land.
The Noorderkerk, built by Hendrick de Keyser and his son Pieter around 1620 is the main church of this area. It is also used as a hall to conduct many functions.
‘Jewels in the Jordaan’ is a route here which features the studios and houses of several upcoming as well as already famous artist. As one walks down this lane, one gets to look at a different aspect of these artworks. The artists discovered this area a long time back, when unable to afford much rent they began living in this slum area. However over the years Jordaan has developed from a slum into an upscale region. Many rich men pay loads of cash to buy the big renovated houses present here.
Painter Rembrandt van Rijn, Dutch writer Joost van den Vondel and photographer Breitner are only few of the famous people who have resided here in their less successful periods of life.
Monumental buildings with stone tablets, old-fashioned ‘brown’ pubs, boutiques or galleries, twisting alleyways have now become the major part of Jordaan and compared to the rest of the city, these make Jordaan seem like an oasis of peace!
The Canal Ring of Amsterdam
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Amsterdam the capital of Netherlands comprises of a large number of canals. The canal ring or the canal district is an entirely artificial creation of a large-scale port city built at the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th centuries. The Singelgracht is the name of the medieval port that encircles the old town area around which the canal ring was constructed.
First class hydraulic system and excellent urban planning are characteristic of this area. It became extremely wealthy during the 17th century and it prosperity was evident in the beauteous facades of the middle-class dwellings present here.
The three main canals that constitute the canal ring are The Princes’ Canal (Prinsengracht), The Emporer’s Canal (Keizersgracht) and The Gentlemen’s Canal (Herengracht). This area marks the development that Amsterdam had achieved even in the 17th century.
In 17th century Amsterdam served as the centre of trade and exchange. Influence of other cultures when it comes to civil engineering, town planning, architecture or technical and maritime developments is thus, evident in this area’s infrastructure.
Today canal area attracts a large number of tourists. It features shopping, dining, museums and many other attractions. If you are interested in knowing this area’s story in greater detail, visit some of the museums present here. It is bound to fascinate you.
The Red Light District of Amsterdam
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One of the popular and famous areas of Amsterdam is the Red Light district which consists of several canals, and the side streets between them, south of Central Station and east of Damrak. The buildings in this area are tall, thin and crowd together, overlooking the tree lined canals. The whole area has a heavy police presence, and many security cameras.
The area has many sex shops and peep show bars, brothels, gay bars, cinemas, hotels and different kinds of museums. Though the area is infamous, yet it attracts millions of tourist each year who come to visit this part of Amsterdam which gets livelier as the night grows darker. One of the major attraction of this area are the famous windows (about 250) with sexy girls, dressed in eye-popping underwear. And window-shopping, performed by both sexes is a favorite activity in the Red Light District.
Apart from adult entertainment, the area has 300-year-old gabled buildings, expensive real estate houses doctors, lawyers and plenty of families, many bars and restaurants, and historic buildings and museums. The oldest church in Amsterdam, the Netherlands-gothic Oude Kerk on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal at Oudekerksplein, is now surrounded by window prostitution.
Parks And Gardens In Amsterdam
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Amidst the busy and bustling city life of Amsterdam, lie some 30 parks in Amsterdam which are a great spot for a break from the routine life, especially in summer months when these green spaces turn into outdoor living and dining rooms for us locals and visitors alike, while performers, musicians and kids turn these parks into recreational hubs. Some of the best known parks and gardens in Amsterdam are:
Amstelpark
The park stands in the suburb of Buitenveldert, southwest of Amsterdam and features a host of recreational facilities like playground, mini golf, mini football and pony rides for children and rose garden, rhododendron walk, and model garden with nursery for the nature lovers.
Amsterdamse Bos
This woodland park is the largest recreational area in Amsterdam and a stretch of water called the Bosbaan flowing through the park acts as a venue for rowing competitions in the season. The Amsterdamse Bos is a home to about 150 variants of foreign and native trees and colorful collection of birds.
Vondelpark
This is the largest city park in Amsterdam, and the most famous park in the Netherlands. The park has a film museum, an open air theatre, a playground, and several other facilities. Every Friday there is the Fridaynightskate that starts in front of the Film museum. Yearly events include the golf tournament Vondelpark Open and the running contest Vondelparkloop. From June until August there are music and dance performances in the open air theatre.
Museumplein
This happens to be the most versatile Park of Amsterdam with sports playgrounds, and wadding pool which offer the facility of ice skating in winter.
Oosterpark
Standing in East Amsterdam, just behind the Tropical Museum, the park features several big, monumental sculptures.
Westerpark
This is an extensive park near the city center. A former gas factory, situated in the middle of the park, has been converted into pleasant cafes and creative offices.
Exploring Amsterdam On A Bicycle
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Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands is the country’s largest city and its financial, cultural, and creative centre. Amsterdam attracts a lot of tourists because of its beauty, the grid of lovely canals that criss-cross the city, its impressive architecture and more than 1,500 bridges.
Amsterdam is a very bike-friendly city and tourists would love to explore the place on a rented bicycle. There are separate bike lanes on most major streets. Some of the best options for renting bikes in Amsterdam include:
- Star Bikes Rental which offer Classic and solid dutch bikes for those who want to fit in with the locals. Prices: 5€ (4 hr) – 7€ (full day) – 9€ (24 hr), 2 lockers included.
- MacBike Bicycle Rental, which offer red bicycles with a MacBike sign on the front. They offer online bicycle reservations at their website.
- Orangebike, Rentals & Tours which offer 3 hr historical city tour by bike for €19.50.
- Damstraat, which offer daily to weekly rentals and also offer repairs for your bike and new and used bike sales.
The Amsterdam people follow basic norms when on bicycle. Here we offer some tips for the visitors who want to explore Amsterdam on bicycle:
- Be very careful and watch out for other cyclists.
- If not indicated otherwise by signs, the right-before-left rule applies.
- Avoid getting your tire in the tram rails. Always cross tram rails at an angle.
- A good map for cycling (routes, repairs, rentals + also public transport) is Amsterdam op de fiets (a Cito-plan). When preparing a route, there’s a digital bicycle route-planner for Amsterdam.
- Make sure to get a good lock (or two), and to use it. Amsterdam has one of the highest bicycle theft rates in the world.
- Bicycles can be taken for free on all ferries across the IJ, and on all metros and some carriages of tram 26 using the bike supplement fee (€1.50 in 2010) on the OV chipcard.
Rokin Hotel Amsterdam
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Rokin Hotel Amsterdam
Overview of the Hotel: Rokin Hotel is situated in the heart of Amsterdam, that is, just a stone throw from the Dam Square and the Amsterdam Central Station. The presence of tram lines makes it easier for the visitors to access the hotel. The hotel has a perfect spot which has facilities like restaurants, shops, pedestrian Kalverstraat as well as the Magna plaza shopping mall surrounding it. The presence of bus excursions and boat trips makes it even more convenient and effective especially for those driving in and out of the hotel or for those that have just checked in.
Amenities at the Hotel: The general amenities that are available at the hotel include a 24-hour front desk, Elevator, Safety deposit box, heating, non smoking rooms, luggage storage, smoking spaces to serve both private and public. The presence of the 43 hotel rooms will give you an opportunity to make a choice on the perfect accommodation that suit you best.
Hotel Rules: The general rules of the Rokin Hotel are not complicated as they vary from one room type to the other. There is a set time for checking in and checking out which ranges from 1400hr and 0700hrs – 1100hrs respectively. No capacity for extra beds is required in the rooms. Moreover, the supplements will be calculated separately from the total costs. No pets are allowed in the hotel.
Hotel Room Types and Rates:
Double or Twin Room
Included in room price: 6 % VAT, 5% city tax, Buffet breakfast
• FREE cancelation
• Breakfast included: € 125
Single Room
Included in room price: 6 % VAT, 5% city tax, Buffet breakfast
• FREE cancellation
• Breakfast included: € 105
Hotel Roemer Amsterdam
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Hotel Roemer Amsterdam
Overview of the Hotel: Hotel Roemer is located right in the middle of Amsterdam in one of the quiet streets. It is a hotel that delights itself for offering elegant accommodation from about a five or ten minute walk from the Leidpseplein and the Van Gogh Museum. For any visitor or guest residing at the hotel, breakfast is availed to them in form of a buffet in the lounge with the presence of a fireplace as a complement.
Amenities at the Hotel: The general amenities that are evident at the hotel include a 24-hour front desk, air conditioning, Elevator, Safety deposit box, luggage storage, smoking spaces, garden, terrace, express check in/checkout. In any case, you can get your accommodation from any of the 23 hotel rooms available in the hotel.
Hotel Rules: The general rules of the Hotel Roemer vary from one room type to the other. The checking in and checking out time ranges from 1500 hours to 1200 hours. In case of any cancellations and prepayments there will vary according to the room. For children under the age of 2 years staying in cots, there is provision of free accommodation. Pets are not allowed.
Hotel Room Types and Rates:
Small Double Room
Included in room price: 6% VAT, Value-Added Tax
• Non refundable
• € 185 smart price
Not included in room price: 5% city tax
• Free cancelation
• €190 smart price
• Non refundable
• Breakfast included: € 225
• FREE cancellation
• Breakfast included: € 230
Junior Suite
Included in room price: 6 % VAT, Buffet breakfast
Not included in room price: 5% city tax
• FREE cancellation
• € 330
• Breakfast included: € 300 for single occupancy
Executive Room with Jacuzzi
Included in room price: 10 % VAT
• Non refundable
• €215
Not included in room price: 5% city tax
• FREE cancellation
• € 220
• Non refundable
• Breakfast included: € 255
• Free cancelation
• Breakfast included: €260
Hotel Robertramon Amsterdam
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Hotel Robertramon Amsterdam
Overview of the Hotel: Hotel Robertramon is located in Amsterdam on the most elite shopping street; the P.C. Hoofstraat. This location is excellent and is considered to be close to most spots that overnight services like clubs as well as shopping as it provides a quiet environ. More so, the staff of the hotel is friendly. It is widely spacious containing about 51 rooms.
Amenities of the Hotel: The hotel has trendy rooms which offer Wi-Fi and a flat screen TV, presence of safety box in each room, a work desk, en suite bathroom with its amenities, vending machine which offers both alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, a breakfast room which offers international breakfast, 24 hr reception, laundry and dry cleaning services.
Hotel Rules: This hotel’s rules vary depending on the room type. There are times set for both check in and check out, which are 1400hrs and 1100hrs respectively. On the other hand, the cancellation and prepayment rules vary according to the room type and it advisable for you to check the condition of your required room before you can make any settlement. When it comes to children’s accommodation, the ones under the ages of 2 years are offered free of charge in case they are utilizing an existing bedding. On the other hand, if the children have cots but still under the age of 2 years, they are offered free accommodation. The maximum of the guests should not exceed three. Supplements are exempted from the total costs and have to be paid separately. Pets are not allowed in the hotel.
Hotel Room Types and Rates:
Twin Room
Included in room price: 6% VAT
Not included in room price: 5% city tax
• Free cancelation
• € 75 smart price
Single Room
Included in room price: 6% VAT
Not included in room price: 5% city tax
Free cancelation
€ 69 smart price
Triple Room
Included in room price: 6% VAT
Not included in room price: 5% city tax
• Free cancelation
• € 89 smart price
Small Double Room
• Non refundable
• € 94
Rho Hotel Amsterdam
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Rho Hotel Amsterdam
Overview of the Hotel: Rho Hotel is located on the edge of Dam Square which is about 950 metres from the Amsterdam Central Railway Station. Rho Hotel is estimated to be 160 metres from the Kalverstraat shopping area and the Dam Square tram stop respectively. In addition, it has the presence of Anne Frank House as well as Rembrandt House Museum which are both about 10min walk of the Hotel Rho.
Amenities at the Hotel: The evident amenities that you can utilize at the hotel include a lobby that has an impressive theatre, Wi-Fi services, furnished rooms inclusive of satellite TV plus a refrigerator, 24hr front desk, bar, family rooms, safety deposit box, luggage storage, vending machine and a restaurant which serves breakfast each morning. You can choose any accommodation from the 167 rooms.
Hotel Rules: The general rules of the Rho Hotel vary from one room type to the next. The time for checking in and out as well varies in the ranges of 1400hrs until 1100 hrs respectively. The cancelation and prepayment rules also vary after thorough checking of the room’s condition. For a child under the age of 2 is charged. However there is no capacity for extra beds or cots inside the rooms and in any case the hotel management should be notified. Pets are not allowed.
Hotel Room Types and Rates:
Double or Twin Room
Included in room price: 6 % VAT, 5% city tax, Buffet breakfast
• Free cancelation
• Breakfast included: € 150
Suite – 3 People
Included in room price: 6 % VAT, 5% city tax, Buffet breakfast
• FREE cancellation
• Breakfast included: € 300
Suite – 4 People
Included in room price: 6 % VAT, 5% city tax Buffet breakfast
• FREE cancellation
• Breakfast included: € 350
Single Room
Included in room price: 6 % VAT, 5% city tax, Buffet breakfast
• FREE cancellation
• Breakfast included: € 150
Rembrandt Classic Hotel Amsterdam
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Rembrandt Classic Hotel Amsterdam
An Overview of the Hotel: Rembrandt Classic Hotel Amsterdam is located in a monumental setting having a 17th century building on the popular Herengracht canal which you take about five minutes of walk from where the Dam square is. The originality of various features in form of wooden paneling, fireplaces as well as high ceilings is present at the hotel. There are other features around the hotel e.g. Westermarkt tram stop that is situated about 350 metres, Kalverstraat shopping area about five min walk and lastly Frank House about ten minutes from the hotel.
Amenities at the Hotel: The popular amenities that can be laid hands on at the hotel include a restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner meals, 24-hour front desk, Elevator, Safety deposit box, luggage storage, heating, dry cleaning, laundry and room service. In any case you want to enjoy internet services; there is availability of the WI-FI in the Hotel with charges applicable.
Hotel Rules: Generally, the rules of the hotel vary from one room type to the other. There is a room description entailing the check out time and check in time which ranges from 0700-1200 hrs and 1400hrs. Mind there be any cancellation and prepayment, these two options will vary depending on the room type. The good news is that children under the age of 12 years are provided with free accommodation. However the maximum capacity for extra beds or cots inside the rooms is only one. Pets are allowed if they are requested for but at a certain agreeable payment.
Hotel Room Types and Rates:
Double or Twin Room
Included in room price: 6 % VAT
• Non refundable
• € 143.10 smart price
Included in room price: 6 % VAT
• FREE cancellation
• € 159 smart price
• FREE cancellation
• Breakfast included: € 175 smart price
Triple Room
Included in room price: 6 % VAT
• Non refundable
• € 188.10 smart price
Not included in the room price: 5% city tax
• Free cancellation
• € 209 smart price
Single Room
Included in room price: 6 % VAT
• Non refundable
• € 143.10 smart price
Not included in room service: 5% city tax
• Free cancelation
• € 159 smart price
• Free cancelation
• Breakfast included: € 167
Double Room with Canal View
Included in room price: 6% VAT
• Non refundable
• € 161.10 smart price
Not included in room price: 5% city tax
• Free cancelation
• € 179 smart price
Twin/Double Room with Canal View
• Free cancelation
• € 428