Vacation in Amsterdam
The city
Amsterdam is not only the largest city in the Netherland, it is the capital city and the cultural and financial capital as well, located in the the west of the country in the province of North Holland. Together with the suburbs, the city has a population of about 1 million people. Its name is derived from Amstel dam, indicative of the city’s origin: a dam in the river Amstel where the Dam Square is today. The city settled as a small fishing village in the 12th century, but as a result of its innovative developments in trade, became an important port during the Dutch Golden Age. During that time, the city was the leading center for finance and diamonds. Amsterdam expanded and many new neighborhoods and suburbs were formed in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The attractions
The city attracts more than 4 million tourist annually with its main attractions being the historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, its red-light district and its many cannabis coffee shops and many others.
Amsterdam’s Climate
The city enjoys a cool temperate climate due to its proximity to the North Sea to the west and mild winter temperatures, seldom below 0°C. Amsterdam nights rarely fall below -5°C because it is surrounded by large bodies of water on three sides and enjoys a significant heat island effect. Summers are moderately warm but rarely hot. Mid summer in August, the average daily temperature is around 22°C and temperatures only measures 30°C or higher on average for 3 days.Amsterdam has an average annual precipitation of less than 760mm. It is in the form of protracted drizzle or light rain, making cloudy and damp days common during the cooler months, October through March. Significant rain only comes for a short period of time when European windstorms bring it on, requiring it to be pumped out to higher ground or to the seas surrounding the city.
The Architecture of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is known for its rich architectural history. The oldest building was consecrated in 1306, the Oude Kerk (meaning old church) and is situated at the heart of the Wallen. A variety of architectural styles influenced Amsterdam’s buildings. The old city center is the focal point of all the architectural styles before the end of the 19th century. The historic buildings in the city center are mostly houses, such as the famous merchant’s houses lining the canals.
Tourism in Amsterdam
Shopping
Shops in Amsterdam range from small specialty shops to large department stores such as De Bijenkorf and Maison de Bonneterie, a Parisian style store. In Vondelpark you will find Cornelisz Hooftstraat and Cornelis Schuytstraat where most of Amsterdam’s high-end shops are located.The Negen Straatjes is another shopping area and it differs from the other shopping areas in the district because of the presence of a large diversity of privately owned shops. Open-air markets are also widely spread throughout the city, icluding the Albert Cuypmarkt, Westermarkt, Ten Katemarkt, and Dappermarkt.
Getting to Amsterdam
South African visitors can book their flights to Netherlands online at South African flights website, bestflights.co.za
Transportation in Amsterdam
Bicycles
Amsterdam is a bicycle-friendly city and is the center of bicycle culture with many good facilities for cyclists such bike paths and bike racks pervading the city. Bicycle traffic and traffic in general is relatively safe, with only 18 traffic deaths in total for 2007.
Cars
Driving a car in the city center is discouraged. Many streets are closed to cars or are one-way and parking fees are very expensive.
Public Transport
Public transport in Amsterdam mainly consists of bus and tram lines. Pedestrians and cyclists can take one of the three free ferries to go across the IJ to Amsterdam-Noord or a fare charging ferry to go from the east to the west along the harbor.You can also be transported along Amsterdam’s waterways by means of water taxis, a water bus, a boat sharing operation, electric rental boats and canal cruises.
Amsterdam’s Culture and Entertainment
Museums
The most important museums of Amsterdam are located on het Museumplein (Museum Square), located at the southern side of the Rijksmuseum.
The Rijksmuseum possesses the largest and most important collection of classical Dutch art.With a collection of nearly one million objects.
On the square itself in front of the Rijksmuseum, is a long rectangular pond which is transformed into an ice rink in the winter times. You will also find the the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience and Coster Diamonds at the Museum Square. The square is almost entirely covered by a lawn, making it the most prominent site in Amsterdam for festivals and outdoor concerts, especially in the summer. Amsterdam contains many other museums throughout the city. These museums range from the very large Tropenmuseum, Amsterdams Historisch Museum, and Joods Historisch Museum to the small museums such as the Verzetsmuseum, the Anne Frank House, and the Rembrandthuis.
Festivals
In the 2008 there were 140 festivals in Amsterdam. Famous festivals in Amsterdam include Koninginnedag (Queen’s Day), Amsterdam Gay Pride and the Uitmarkt. On Koninginnedag, hundreds of thousands of people travel to Amsterdam to join the residents of the city to celebrate. The entire city becomes overcrowded with people buying products from the freemarket or visiting one of the many music concerts. It is held each year on the 30th of April. Gay Pride is known for many curious events taking place throughout the city and a long parade of boats floating down Amsterdam’s canals.The Gay Pride annually takes place on the first Saturday in August. Finally the Uitmarkt is a cultural event which lasts for three days. It consists of many podia with a lot of different artist on them, such as musicians and poets and is held in late August.
