- Amsterdam
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Netherlands
Officially dubbed a "Cocktail and Genever experience". I recommend it because it is a great addition to an Amsterdam visit as it gives an interesting look in to the world of Genever and modern cocktail shaking.
Genever is one of Hollands most traditional products and Bols is the oldest. The experience includes: History, tasting experiment, video of yourself flaring and a cocktail of choice.
Monday through Sunday 12pm – 6pm (closed Tuesdays).
The entrance fee is € 11,50 per person. Including a cocktail in the Mirror bar
House of Bols
Paulus Potterstraat 14
1071 CZ Amsterdam
Tel: (+0031) 020-5708575
The Netherlands
I found it to be the best club in Amsterdam. For just €1 entry you get to enjoy very good live rock music every night. Not to mention the reasonable prices.
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 49
Amsterdam
1017 PW
www.waterhole.nl
The worst thing about misc eatdrinksleep? That name - which makes it sound like some kind of capsule hotel or backpacker hostel, rather than what it is - a wonderfully individual, romantic hotel right in the centre of Amsterdam. Rooms are delightful, individually decorated and overlooking either canal or garden. All are equipped with good coffeemaker, toiletries, robes, big comfortable bed, good lighting and a gratis minibar - no alcohol (a small bar downstairs provides that) but chocolate, snacks and soft drinks, all included in the room price - a first for me, but typical of the way the place is run. The owners are friendly and extremely helpful without being in any way overpowering - all in all the place is a perfect example of what 'customer focus' should really mean (and very rarely does).
Downsides? Some people might find the canalside rooms a little noisy - if so, then ask for a garden room. And the stairs are very steep and narrow, but this is a traditional Amsterdam house and that's the way they work. I can't comment on the breakfast as I was leaving too early in the morning, but if the plate of fruit, bread and local cheese that was left in my room was any guide, I'm guessing it would be better than acceptable.
Getting here from the airport - unless you're laden down with luggage, don't waste money on a taxi. Fast train is 20 minutes and a few euros, the walk from Dam Square to the hotel is interesting and takes between 10 and 15 minutes. Note that although the hotel is on the edge of the red light area, you need never know it, and the Niewmarket square which it sits on is great for a couple of beers and a spot of peoplewatching. Plenty of cafes and restaurants around too.
Kloveniersburgwal 20 | (formerly Zosa Hotel), Amsterdam 1012 CV www.misceatdrinksleep.com/
Extreme friendly and efficient staff, non smoking, great rooms, modern. Not like most AMS hotels - old and stuffy. We had city view, and a really great time.
Rated 9.1 at www.hotels.com, and excellent also in www.tripadvisor.com and www.holidaycheck.de At last a modern well organized place in Amsterdam.
Excellent east/west style cuisine, nice bar. What else you want? We had free internet, executive floor, Nespresso machine in the room, sprinkler system, the best breakfast, bathrobes, slippers, fruits, covered parking, a canal boat in front, Tram transport next to the hotel - and just 20 minutes from the airport and five minutes from central station.
www.moevenpick-amsterdam.com,,
water side, next to Cruise Terminal, city centre
We have just returned to France from a week's holiday in Amsterdam. I have a few suggestions for other travellers. We had previously stayed at www.hoteltoren.com. Great place. Very charming and family run (which we like). This time around we rented an apartment through www.apartments-for-rent.com/amsterdam.
We booked an apartment in the Jordaan area on the Prinsencanal. We were very lucky to meet some young guys the first day we arrived. They run a small boat rental business called www.boothurenamsterdam.com (which translates into boat rental amsterdam) The guys who run it are amazing and give us a whole list of fun things to do in the neighbourhood. We did not leave the Jordaan area except for a brunch at the www.bakkerswinkel.nl in the Westerpark.
The boat rebtal guys suggested little Amsterdam gems like www.tazzina.nl and www.cinemaparadiso.info/
www.boothurenamsterdam.com
www.apartments-for-rent.com/amsterdam
www.bakkerswinkel.nl
www.hoteltoren.nl
Accommodation in a city can be expensive. When I want to stay in Amsterdam I more often than not stay at any of the fabulous campsites dotted around Amsterdam. There is a central one just behind Centraal Station across the water or several others in the outskirts of the city - they are always a bargain and well maintained - give it a go, camping in the city is fun.
All campsite information can be found through the Amsterdam tourist board.
We spent a few days touring Amsterdam and took a central apartment instead of a hotel which was great, better than expected. We cooked at home and had more privacy. The apartments are well managed so all the services were there we needed. It's worth trying!
We booked the delastage apartment on www.shortstayapartment.com/city-break/amsterdam
Many visitors arriving at Schiphol Airport might get a bad first impression of the country, because of unfriendly taxi drivers that might also overcharge. I use taxis a lot when I travel to and from the airport and I can give you this tip: use Ambassador Taxis. They have very helpful and friendly drivers and their rates are very good.
www.ambassadortaxiservices.nl
tel +31 65 4747470
A vintage shop I adore! They sell high end brands such as YSL, Dior but also normal vintage stuff. Lots of accessories (sunglasses, bags, boots, belts) and their own unique line called Jutka & Riska. I saw some other young designer stuff as well.
Jutka & Riska
Bilderdijkstraat 194
1053 LE Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Their other shops:
Jutka & Riska
Kruisstraat 15
Haarlem
The Netherlands
Jutka & Riska
Nationalestraat 87
2000 Antwerp
Belgium
Amsterdam canal cruises are one of the most popular activities for those visiting the Dutch capital. The vast majority of visitors (millions each year) opt for a so called canal bus where you share the boat with other passengers and the tour is guided in many different languages. Alternatively there is the much nicer private boat rental. Both small self operated open boats and larger luxury classic canal boats that cruise around the canals with just you and your friends or family.
Korte Prinsengracht 44
1013 GT Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 6247635
www.rentaboatamsterdam.com/
On Monday mornings there is a great flea market called Noordermarket which is fantastic for second hand retro clothing.
There is a general market on Saturdays on Lindengracht (parallel to Noordermarkt) selling everything from the mundane to the exotic and on Monday mornings the market specialises in cheap and cheerful materials.
Both are great places to mingle with the locals.
It's at the top end of Prinsengracht.
As far as I'm concerned the most civilised, cheap and time-efficient way to get to the Netherlands is overnight on the ferry. I left home at 7.15pm and was at Amsterdam Centraal by 10am the following morning. No queuing - I walked straight onto the ferry, enjoyed some food, a bottle of wine and had breakfast the following morning after a good night's sleep in an en-suite cabin.
If you get a rail/sail ticket, you can travel from the Hook of Holland to any Dutch station for just over £100 for two of you, which is excellent value.
Because of this ferry service, the Netherlands have now become my place for a quick getaway. Much easier than travelling there by Eurostar.
This youth hostel is in the perfect location and the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Our room was clean, we had a TV, sink, space - it was everything we wanted.
Cosmos is two blocks from the red light district and close to everything else.
There's a nice coffee shop (El Guapo) right across the alleyway.
This is my favorite hostel.
Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1012NG
Nieuwe Nieuwstraat 17
www.hostelcosmos.com
+31206252438
Amsterdam Central Station
This is a super fun youth hostel. The staff is very knowledgeable and I met a lot of great people from all over the world.
I would definitely recommend it - but be careful walking up the steep stairs up front if you've been enjoying a little too much of what Amsterdam has to offer.
Nieuwe Nieuwstraat 17,
1012NG, Amsterdam, Netherlands
0031206252438
www.hostelcosmos.com
Amsterdam Central Station
Hostel Cosmos is a really friendly hostel. Best welcome I've had from a hostel. The guys working there (especially Yazine) were great and made us feel really welcome.
They ended up letting us stay for a few more hours longer on our last day as our flight was quite late - thanks guys. Simba the cat was awesome too! It's in a really awesome spot too, close to the train station, and just on the edge of the red light district.
Amsterdam Hostel Cosmos
Nieuwe nieuwstraat 17-1
1012 NG Amsterdam, Holland
Tel. +31206252438
www.hostelcosmos.com
Amsterdam Central Station
The busiest outdoor market in Europe, it's got more than 300 stalls - it makes a change from doing the normal tourist stuff!
De Pijp District
We got our bearings in Amsterdam by taking a Canal Bus ticket - did all three lines before it ran out at midday the day after buying. We're kicking ourselves for not buying the Museum Card - it has national coverage, which we didn't realise. It can also save you queueing to buy tickets, just buy at the first museum you go to, €39 per adult. Ann Frank House is not included, but you can buy tickets in advance online for that one - it's the only place with long queues.
The Modern Art Museum is closed but is partially relocated to the old post office, the Maritime museum is currently closed, and the Rijksmuseum is being renovated but has a condensed version of its collections on display in one wing including Rembrandt's 'Night Watch'. If you like van Gogh, it's worth going to the Kroller-Muller Museum in the Hogue Veluwe National Park, as they have a great collection of modern, VG and old masters.
Apartment booking website, easy to deal with, we had a quiet spacious apartment near Haarlemmerplein for €750 for a week. Ten minutes walk from city centre and Jordaan. Local shops and restaurants good.
google Citymundo
Set in the Museum Quarter, the restaurant is only a stone's throw from the city's most popular museums and makes an ideal dinnertime stop. It is also fairly reasonably priced in what is otherwise a rather pricey area. The service was friendly, personal and relaxed. More importantly, the food was divine. Good quality, carefully cooked - relaxed dining as it should be on holiday.
Willemsparkweg 6, Museum Quarter
Tel: 020 662 62 06
Full of character, situated in the trendy Jordaan area. Excellent Dutch apple cake, and a wonderful array of interesting lunchtime snacks with healthy options. Very reasonably priced as well. Sit outside on the canal and watch the world go by.
Brouwersgracht 107, Jordaan. + 31 20 6238 994
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