http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19566 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19566 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18852
Try to catch one of the outdoor plays, as they really are a magical experience. The park also houses a fascinating museum, The Filmmuseum which is well worth a visit.

Both the museum and the outdoor plays, have great facilities for children.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18852 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18023
You can buy it from Holland Tourist Information at Schipol by credit card and it makes it easier to work out a budget for the rest of your stay and you can hop on and off the fantastic trams without having to worry about buying and stamping tickets.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18023 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16763 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16763 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16439 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16439 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14222 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14222 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14208 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14208 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14203
While you're there take in The Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum of Art, a marvellous collection of modern and Dutch art; go on a Wednesday, when it’s free.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14203 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14181 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14181 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14176 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14176 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14169 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14169 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14165 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14165 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14162
The track is well over a mile long, certainly long enough to think you are in a bygone age. They even issue original-looking tickets. It's a great day out for all the family.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14162 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14130
NEMO is a children's science museum in the main harbour, right next to Central railway station. It has to be the best kids musem in Europe. Every exhibit is interactive, kids can dress up as scientists and blow things up in the lab (carefully helped by real scientists!). They can also appear on TV, wrap themselves up in giant bubbles and watch a fantastic great-egg-race-style show every half hour.

Despite being in Holland, every exhibit is also described in English and the presentations and announcements are also bilingual. The museum is great for kids aged from 4 to 14, and is so big that you can easily spend several hours there.

Once you have exhausted yourselves there, try the Pannenkoekenhuis, a pancake house in a 17th-century warehouse overlooking the canal on Prinsengracht. The kids' pancakes come with toys, games and fireworks to finish the day off with a bang!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14130 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14065 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14065 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14054 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14054 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14018
But after your stay in Amsterdam, get yourself on one of the other best European train systems and make the trip to Maastricht. This is probably the most vibrant city of the Netherlands, likened to a miniature Paris with its cobbled streets and fantastic cuisine.

The city centre is excellent for the more contemporary shops while the older part of town contains high-class boutiques where the proprietors don't seem too fazed by the odd nose impression against the window.

After a hard day's shopping, fortify yourself with a coffee at one of the coffee shops (not that kind of coffee shop!) around the Wyck or Ceramique district before crossing the Hoge bridge and strolling around the Jekerkwartier area. Here you'll find romantic cobbled streets and a real sense of calm in this exciting city. But the best thing about Maastricht? You can get there easily from Bruges and Brussels too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14018 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14013 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14013 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14004
We visited Amsterdam as one of the destinations on our cruise, so a map was provided and one gets a great feel for the place just walking through the streets. The house is immediately visible as there’s usually a huge queue outside, but it’s worth the wait.

It’s fascinating, haunting and sad all at once. There are photos and mementoes everywhere. I’ve certainly never forgotten it.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14004 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13988
See where the family hid upstairs via a bookshelf, and even see their toilet - but get there early as there are always queues!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13988