Amsterdam Tourism Information Guide

By Author: steve ven
Total Articles: 59
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Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands with impressive architecture. Amsterdam is a sixth modern metropolitan area located on the western coast of Europe in the country of the Netherlands, also popularly named Holland. The political policy of this nation is socialist in nature, meaning the government provides many services to its citizens. Amsterdam is a popular destination because of its vibrant city life. Amsterdam is not the seat of government but it is the biggest city and the cultural and creative centre of the Netherlands.

Climate
Unlike many holiday destinations, an Amsterdam city break can be enjoyed all year round. The weather is traditionally at its best at Easter time and between July and August. However Amsterdam's climate changes hourly throughout the year and rarely becomes extreme. January and February are the coldest months, with lows around -1°C and highs around 5°C.

Festival and Culture
Throughout the year Amsterdam offers variety of cultural events and festivals.

Amsterdam offers various cultural events and festivals all throughout the year. Amsterdam Fantastic Film ...
... Festival, a weeklong celebration full of fantasy, anime, thriller, cult, horror and sci-fi, is held every year. Amsterdam Literary Festival that includes talks with authors, workshops, a literary tour and salon and a boat tour is really informative and pleasing. De Parade, one of the few traveling festivals in the world is like an old-fashioned fairground that lasts for 17 days featuring dance, theatre, magic, art, animation and music. The Gay Pride Festival is celebrated with an extensive program consisting of sports, cultural activities and parties. The main highlight of the festival is the canal parade and cultural and naughty boat parade through Amsterdam's canals. Amsterdam Roots Festival is celebrated every summer with global music and non-western culture. The five-day long Grachten Festival holds more than 80 classical concerts that can be enjoyed in houses, gardens or anywhere in the area around Prinsengracht. Sail Amsterdam 2005 that exhibits historic ships and nautical heritage is really enthralling. Flower Parade in which three-kilometer long ribbon of flower- decorated floats travel through the area is a feast for the eyes. About one million flowers are used in this festival. ING Amsterdam Marathon, the oldest marathon in the Netherlands and Uitmarkt that heralds the beginning of the national cultural season are the other festivals celebrated in the city apart from various international festivals.

Amsterdam offers a wide selection of excellent restaurants, serving delicious food as well as a choice of international cuisine. Although it’s a huge city, the historic center is fairly compact. Visitors can find that there is a vast selection of City Break Amsterdam to suit every taste and budget.

Nightlife
Amsterdam has the name of Europe’s main party cities and wild nightlife. If you wish to hear live music while dancing there is many places where you can dance and also enjoy food, drink or just sit and watch the world go by over a coffee.

Shopping
Amsterdam is the city of antiques, books, diamonds, and curiosities. In general, shop-opening hours are 1-6pm on Mondays and 9/10am-6pm Tuesday to Friday. Most have late night shopping on Thursday until 9pm and close earlier on Saturdays, at 5pm. Some Supermarkets, like Albert Heijn stay open until 8 or 10 pm. On Sundays, you can shop in the city center, Kalverstraat, Damrak, Leidsestraat, and near the Noorderkerk.

For general shop info and their openings hours you can visit
'Openingstijden Amsterdam' it shows an overview of the most popular shops and their location on the map.

• The Nine Streets, De Negen Straatjes. Nine narrow streets between the main canals from the Prinsengracht to the Singel, south-west of Dam Square. Boutiques, specialist shops, galleries and restaurants.

• Jordaan. One of the most picturesque 'village' areas of Amsterdam, the Jordaan has always been a centre for artisans, artists and creatives, today, this area has a wonderful selection of goldsmiths and jewellers, fashion boutiques, galleries, designer florists, and specialist shops.

• Fashion & Museum District. Located in Amsterdam Zuid, this is considered the chic area for shopping in Amsterdam, close to the Museum district, the PC Hooftstraat and the Cornelis Schuytstraat have some of the finest designer shops in the city, including designer shoes, health and well-being specialists, massage, fashion boutiques, designer interiors, designer florists and specialist shops.

Hotels
If you want to go for a vacation in Amsterdam and are looking for Amsterdam hotels or a particular Amsterdam hotel. Amsterdam is relatively inexpensive compare to other popular European destinations. However, a city still can rip your bank account off if you come unprepared.

Here is my pick of one and two star hotels for budget travelers to Amsterdam.

Hotel Hegra occupies the 17th century merchant house situated on the most beautiful canal of Amsterdam - the Herengracht Canal.
Hotel La Boheme located just 200 meters from Leidseplein, is a small well-renovated friendly hotel with a homely atmosphere. Leidseplein, Amsterdam's liveliest square, is the center of night life of Amsterdam.

Bicycle Hotel located near the RAI, the Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt in the Rijksmuseum and the City Museum of Modern Art, provides not only cheap and comfortable rooms, but also the convenience of being able to rent bikes.

Steve is a Travel Consultant. If you are planning to spend your weekend, and then you must have to be aware of its flights and hotels. To get more information about Hotel in Amsterdam visit www.Myvacations.co.uk.