Where to Book a Flight to Amsterdam

Thinking for a vacation to the greatest planned city of Amsterdam? Looking for a particular portal online where you can book your flight to Amsterdam? If your answer to these questions is affirmative, then this article will help you find the right place to book your flight to Amsterdam, Netherlands.

I have here below a short list of the most commonly noted and widely visited companies online that cater booking services for those who wish to visit the lively and liberal city of Amsterdam. Just note however that what will be presented here are just a few of the many booking sites online that serve flights to Amsterdam. If you are really serious with your search, then look no further.

UKNetGuide.co.uk

UK Net Guide is a particular booking outlet that will help you find great deals for flight to Amsterdam and other parts of Europe with their leading travel partners. As a customer, all you need to do with this site is to search for all the leading brands of European airlines they have listed on their site. This can be done with their Flight Search that allows you to find the best flight deals on the internet. Just enter the required details, search and compare.

EasyJet.com

EasyJet.com is but another place to visit online for booking your flight to Amsterdam. This site first allows you to select a cheap flight with Europe’s leading low cost airline. Note that there are 222 routes across 67 key European airports here. And, before you can access their booking service, you have to register for you to access and change your bookings online if needed. The customers are also encouraged to sign up for easyJet Mail for them to be among the first to hear of promotions, new routes, and schedule launches. If you wish to check your booking online, then you can do so by looking up at the flight number, departure or arrival times, booking reference number or request a replacement confirmation email at any time before your flight to Amsterdam.

eBookers.com

EBookers.com is another great place to book your flight to Amsterdam. This site now maintains a selection of worldwide travel offers, making it one of the leading pan-European travel agency on the net. Actually, eBookers.com offers the leisure and business trekker a wide selection of low airfares, as well as deals on hotels, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages and some other travel offers. As a well-known travel agency, eBookers.com now innovates more to provide their customers with the best travel experience they want most. Aside from finding a cheap flight to Amsterdam, you can also get access to hundreds of thousands of holiday bargains, late deals, short breaks, package holidays, and a lot more through their service.

TeleTextHolidays.co.uk

At TeleTextHolidays.co.uk you can also find fantastic deals on world flights. All you need to do with this site is to search for the available offers, but note that this company generally trawls 1000’s of flights from scheduled, charter and low cost airline in one go. If for instance, you are really prompt with your booking request for your flight to Amsterdam, you can actually call them by phone.

Amsterdam Tour

When we talk about Amsterdam, Netherlands, it is very hard not to imagine misty cafes and scantily clothed women moving provocatively in windows with red lights. Many of the travelers from across the world return to this ultimate city of “sin” because of these sights alone. Most of them are busting with tales of the unexpected and if you get chances to visit the place, I’m sure that you will also create your own tales to tell.

Well, Amsterdam is not just about sex and drugs; it has all the great things that Mother Earth has to offer. The Netherlands has in fact that most amount of great museums per square foot than anywhere else in the world. If you take a tram ride 10 minutes from the heart of the city, you can overwhelm yourself with those narrow streets occupied with nothing else other than the cyclist and a car every now and then. The city is in fact so quite, but interesting.

Things to See in Amsterdam

The greatly planned city of Amsterdam is one of the few cities in the world where the people, the streets and the atmosphere are an attraction in themselves. It is in fact well-known throughout the world as the sole city where marijuana and hashish are sold legally. And, the worldly known Red Light District is just as much an attraction as a favorite hub for young men full of testosterone to go at night.

But as mentioned earlier, there is far much more to the city than drugs and prostitutes or sex. The city has long been considered as the “Venice of the North” because it was built on a cobweb of canals. You can greatly see most of the city from a canal boat, and from there you’ll surely appreciate the unique architecture that Amsterdam has long been proud to offer.

Furthermore, Amsterdam is heaving with a culture. It has a lot of great museums and libraries. Of all the interesting museums in the city of Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank Museum and Van Gogh Museums are names not to be missed.

Where to Eat

When you stroll around in the city of Amsterdam, you’ll surely find a high volume of restaurants. As commonly noted, you can see sandwich boards in front of the many restaurants advertising their daily specials and from a minute walk down the Damrak, the street facing Central Station, there are some neon lights saying “pizza”.

If you delver further into the city, you can find the Damstraat, the street on Dam Square, also peppered with eateries. Further down again towards Leidseplen, the Leidsekruisstraat and Leidsetraat have their good share of restaurants too. It is necessary to note however that the streets mentioned earlier are located in some of the city’s most touristy areas. So, if you wish to steer clear of such commercial centers, you have the chance to visit the Jordaan as some of the city’s coolest restaurants are found there.

In case you prefer to eat out in a restaurant beyond your budget during your tour, there are also some fast food outlets all over Amsterdam where you can get pizzas, chips or kebabs. However, just be careful when asking for mayonnaise on your French fries for they will be completely drowned.

The Amsterdam Marathon

The Amsterdam Marathon is by far the most testing running event in the history of Amsterdam, Netherlands. It is an extremely well-organized event and is classified in the Golden League category by the International Association of Athletics Federations, the highest level for road racing competitions.

The History

The first ING Amsterdam Marathon as we know it today happened on May 3, 1975. Since that time, the start and finish lines were at the Olympic Stadium. According to certain records, the first person who won the first Amsterdam Marathon was Joergen Jensen from Denmark who ran the distance in 2.16.51. A year later, a European champion and second at the Munich Olympic Games named Karel Lismont came to Amsterdam. She is still regarded in Belgium as the best marathon runner even born on its soil, won in a tremendously hot weather condition. Another legendary winner of the Amsterdam Marathon came to the city a year later. He actually won the Boston marathon in 1975, being able to finish first in an unbeatable 2.09.55.

The Amsterdam Marathon was relocated the year when the Olympic Stadium feel into disrepair. In 1978, there was no marathon in the area, but many of those who organized the event considered the Dam Square as the new starting and finishing area for the event. The Dam Square in fact was the finish venue for one of the city’s most memorable marathons ever – the 1980 Amsterdam Marathon. It is interesting to know that the event actually remained at the Dam Square until 1989, and later Amsterdam’s new start and finish venue became Museumplein.

With the reconstructed arena, the Amsterdam Marathon finally was brought back to its former venue – the Olympic Stadium. In that venue, another memorable event took place and it was the 1996 Amsterdam Marathon when the city saw a rise in the number of its runners, both in men and women categories. The success of the marathon continues even until now and many Amsterdammers have immortalized their names through this event.

The Route

The route of the Amsterdam Marathon is usually fast, free of traffic, and as flat. During the event, digital clocks and refreshments stand line the route, which typically passed through the Vondelpark, below the Rijksmuseum and finishes back inside the Olympic Stadium.

Time Limit

Just like any other sports events, the Amsterdam Marathon has its own time limit. It has been maintained that the full marathon is subject to a six-hour time limit. The participants who fail to run the scheduled distances within the time limits set for the 25 km, 30 km, 35 km, or 40 km markers, as well as those who will exceed the overall time limit will be asked by a member of the event jury to terminate their race and to board the sag wagon for safety and health purposes. However, if despite being approached by a jury and the participants continue to run, they will be asked to do so at their own risk, as the route will be released for road traffic once the sag wagon has passed. And, it is a rule in the Amsterdam Marathon that if the participants terminate their race prior to finishing, they will not qualify for a medal.

Amsterdam Accommodation

Looking for great deals on Amsterdam accommodation? If so, then you must know first that there are actually a number of great places out there in the Amsterdam city that could give you the best accommodation and service possible. Several hotels, bed and breakfast inns, and apartments are out there and all of them are somehow willing to welcome, serve and entertain you throughout your stay. However, because of their great number, finding the right deals of Amsterdam accommodation could be a lot harder. Thanks to some sites online that they have given us ideas on where to find the top-rated Amsterdam accommodation online. So, if you are serious with your Amsterdam accommodation search, consider the following portals.

AmsterdamBy.com

AmsterdamBy.com is a great site to visit for finding best deals on Amsterdam accommodation. This site actually presents a list of the currently available Amsterdam hotels, bed and breakfast, and apartments for you to choose from. They also offer a direct booking access for you vacation. At this, you can also reserve your accommodation in one of the listed hotels, bed and breakfast or apartments.

HolidayCityEurope.com

Another well-known portal online that could guide you in finding the best deals in Amsterdam accommodation is the HolidayCityEurope.com. This site features their reservation service and they provide you a wide selection of properties to choose from, such as luxury bed and breakfasts and apartments accommodations for your business or vacation trip to Amsterdam. Note that all of the featured Amsterdam accommodations at this site offer comfort, quality and great value for the money. They are also ideal for leisure and business travelers. And, in finding the right place, all you need to do is to click on the given hotel links that are categorize by prices and location.

Amsterdam.info

Amsterdam.info is also out there on the web to guide you in finding the best Amsterdam accommodation available. This site actually provides a hotel guide that offers the most convenient reservation service for Amsterdam. Note that the selection of hotels included in their page includes more than 300 Amsterdam accommodation properties that are available for booking online. Perhaps what is best about their service is that there is no fees, no advance charges, but there is a human hotel reservations support that is available 24/7. Amsterdam.info also provides direct reservation for youth hostels.

EuropeanRailGuide.com

EuropeanRailGuide.com is but another notable portal to visit online for Amsterdam accommodation. Here you are allowed to search for the available accommodation in the city and you can make your bookings through their booking service. They actually provide you a list of the available accommodation depending on your arrival date, and all of the listed hotels and youth hostels are acclaimed for great accommodation and service.

AccomLine.com

Lastly, AccomLine.com is there to provide you the currently available Amsterdam accommodations. At this site, you can find a listing of the top rated hotels, along with a brief description on each of them. The rate for rooms is even given so to give you an idea if the place really suits your needs. Perhaps what is nice about this portal is that they greatly categorized their listing based on the hotel’s ranking, so for the customers to easily find the best deals.   

Cheap Flight to Amsterdam

Are you currently looking for a place online where you find a cheap flight to Amsterdam? If so, just don’t worry. There are actually a lot of portals out there on the web that could give you a cheap flight to Amsterdam. All you need to do now is to carefully choose the right portal for you as there are a lot of them. Try to consider their offers, including the reliability of their booking service. If possible, you should also try to note of the security of the chosen airline. So, if you are now ready to know the most well-known booking services online for a cheap flight to Amsterdam, then here they are:

Expedia.co.uk

Expedia.co.uk actually allows you to plan your perfect trip to Amsterdam and book a cheap flight to Amsterdam online. This site currently holds the latest and best flight deals on flights to Amsterdam, bargain airfares, airline tickets and flight deals with all the leading airlines. If in the end you decided to book your cheap flight to Amsterdam through the service of Expedia.co.uk, all you need to do is just to use the booking engine that they have given on their page or select from a choice of departing airports.

LastMinute.com

LastMinute.com is but another notable site where you can find a cheap flight to Amsterdam. As commonly noted, LastMinute.com always has a good flight deals for you whether a charter flight, first class seating or good old economy class. So, there is no reason for you not to book a flight to Amsterdam with their service. They in fact offer loads of discounted flights to the city. All you need to do is to simply employ their search box to book the cheapest flight available.

OnlineTravel.com

OnlineTravel.com generally allows you to compare discounted international airfares from more than 500 airlines. They currently feature their easy to use flight search engine that lets you choose your flight options, choose whatever flight you preferred from their clearly displayed list of available cheap flights to Amsterdam, or book a particular cheap flight to Amsterdam quickly and securely. Furthermore, OnlineTravel.com offers a Fare Finder that allows you to check and find the cheapest fares for your flight. Note that there are always flight bargains to be had on Amsterdam flights, so if you are interested, just look for their saver fare logo for special fares if you can be flexible on departure date. Several other services that you must check out are provided by OnlineTravel.com.

SkyScanner.net

At SkyScanner.net, the best deals on the cheap flight to Amsterdam can be found by way of using their search controls presented on their website. With this tool, you can select your departure airport and set Amsterdam as your destination. The exact month you wish or scheduled to travel is also needed. If all the necessary details are given, the service will find the airline tickets for your holiday, business trip or weekend break flights to the city of Amsterdam. And, if you wish to find more about the available flight deals, you are free to try their travel information pages.

The New Amsterdam Theater in New York

In the history of Broadway, the New Amsterdam Theater is a name worthy to consider. It is considered as the oldest house for Broadway, being opened in 1903, the same night as the Lyceum Theater was opened. It was built by Marc Klaw and Abraham Erlanger and its elaborate design was said to be a collaboration of a number of painters, sculptors, and designers.

The New Amsterdam Theater in New York was first decorated in mauve, green and dull gold, and it is from these colors that the beauty of the New Amsterdam Theater earned its name “The House Beautiful” from the New York Time upon its opening. Many have said that during the opening of this theater, three motifs were used in the decoration. The first is the history of New Amsterdam from Henrick Hudson to 1903, the history of the theater, and art nouveau floral and fauna.

The first show staged in the New Amsterdam Theater is Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Nights Dream. Although the theater could accommodate up to 1800 people, making it the largest theater in New York, it was fully packed when the first show was staged. From then on, several plays and musicals were performed on this theater. Top the list are She stoops to Conquer, George M. Cohan’s Forty-Five Minutes from Broadway, and The Merry Widow. It was in the 1913 that the New Amsterdam Theater became the home of Ziegfeld Follies. The Follies were the ones who brought a number of the greatest Broadway actors and actresses to the theater.

However, during the depression period, the New Amsterdam Theater was greatly affected. While shows produce inside the theater remained fairly constant through the early thirties, the rooftop theater had suffered, and in 1936, the theater was closed. It was only reopened the next year, but for radio use rather than live productions. Then, it was transformed into a movie theater, but again the further project was cancelled when certain problems were discovered in the main supporting beam.

The New Amsterdam Theater was brought back to life when the Walt Disney Corporation purchased it in 1993 at a cost of $34 million. The theater was then restored, and it was noted that from the outside to the inside, the restoration is stunning.

The grand opening of the New Amsterdam Theater happened in May of 1997, with a concert staging of King David. Later that year, a stage version of the highly successful full-length cartoon The Lion King was performed at this theater. It was actually The Lion King which went on to win the Tony Award for best musical in 1998 and has been playing to capacity crowds since its opening. The Lion King is still staged at the New Amsterdam Theater up to now.

Today, purchased and restored by Walt Disney Corporation, the New Amsterdam Theatre has been considered as the focal point of the recent Times Square revival. It is now considered as Disney’s premiere showcase for its stage shows, and much to your surprise, tours are still given on Mondays and Tuesdays and cats from The Lion King seem to play the New Amsterdam Theater in New York forever.

Where to Find an Amsterdam Map

Although the seat of the government of the Netherlands is the The Hague, Amsterdam remains as the nominal capital. It is well-known as the country’s largest city, with a population of almost 750, 000. Recent statistics have also shown that Amsterdam is the country’s most visited spot, with more than 3.5 million foreign visitors annually.

Now, Amsterdam is considered as one of the greatest small cities in the whole world. It also has gained the title of being the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe because of its great canals, world famous museums, and historical sights. As commonly noted, your destination is never far away in Amsterdam as this is a city of tolerance and diversity.

Having said all these, Amsterdam is then a place worthy of visit. But, before planning to visit the city, I guess it is better to know first where the Amsterdam is strategically located. Thanks to the production of Amsterdam maps that knowing where you are situated and where to go in the city is now highly accessible.


I have here a few sites online where you can access an Amsterdam map. Just note that what will be presented here are just a few of the many resources online offering Amsterdam maps. Please read on.

Amsterdam.info
Amsterdam.info currently features an advanced navigation street map of Amsterdam. The map offered by this site can be printed. All you need to do is to click the selected portion of the map for print resolution enlargement. You can then print the map for personal use to your own convenience. However, it is necessary to note that the Amsterdam map presented by this site is protected by the copyright of the authors and cannot be used by any other means.

WorldExecutive.com
WorldExecutive.com has a city guide section where you can access Amsterdam maps. There are actually two versions of the Amsterdam map presented at this sight. The first one is a city map, while the other is a map of the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. For better view, you need to select a segment of the map by clicking on the overview Amsterdam map.

AmsterdamHotSpots.nl
AmsterdamHotSpots.nl is also out there on the web to give you a map of the city of Amsterdam. The map has advanced navigation mode, and all you need to do with it is to click on a particular section to zoom. What is presented on the map is the 12 major areas in the city: the Waterlooplein, vondelpark, royal palace, Rijksmuseum, rembrandtplein, requliersdwarsstraat, red light district, leidseplein, jordaan, dam, central station, and beqijnhof.

LonelyPlanet.com
LonelyPlanet.com is now featuring their Amsterdam map, designed to help tourists and locals alike in identifying what and where part of the city they are in. Just like the Amsterdam maps of the other mentioned sites, the map of LonelyPlanet.com can zoomed in and zoomed out. A map of the Netherlands is even available to allow you to pinpoint where exactly is the city situated in the country. Helpful information regarding the place is even provided for much knowledge.

Hostel in Amsterdam

Hostels in the city of Amsterdam are highly accessible for the tourists and locals alike. There are a lot of them peppered on the streets, some are advertising their own service. So, if you are thinking for a vacation in Amsterdam and you are currently looking for a particular place to stay, I have here a short list of the most visited hostels in Amsterdam. Consider the following:

Hostel Cosmos Amsterdam

Hostel Cosmos is basically a small friendly hostel in Amsterdam, specifically situated in the heart of the city, close to the Central Station and to all major attractions, such as the world famous Dam Square, Red Light District, Anne Frank House, and Rembrandsplein. All of the rooms at this hostel in Amsterdam have central heating and a wash basin. All have TV access, recently renovated, and each is painted in different color. It is actually the friendly atmosphere and generous hospitality that drawn guests back to Hostel Cosmos over and over again.

Hostel AnneMarie

Located in the heart of the city, the Hostel AnneMarie is actually a combination of a hostel in Amsterdam and a budget hotel. It is situated close to two of the most visited places in Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum and the city park Vondelpark. It is also very close to the best places, like coffee shops, clubs and museums. What’s more, this hostel in Amsterdam is clean, safe and fun. It is also here where you can meet a lot of other backpackers traveling in the city. And, their staff is willing to give you the best service possible.

Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark

Built with modern design, the Stayokay Amsterdam Vondepark is an IYHF hostel situated right in the middle of the world famous Vondelpark, within walking distance of the Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum, and Leidseplein. At this modern hostel in Amsterdam, you can also find the Brasserie, which a cool place to stay for a cool drink or a hot meal. They offer 536 beds, and all of their rooms are equipped with the necessary amenities like shower, toilet, and washbasin. Also interesting to know about this hostel in Amsterdam is the fact that the members of the Hostelling International can receive a discount of euro 2.50 per night.

Amigo Hotel

Recently renovated, the Amigo Hotel is a combination of hostel and a budget hotel located in the center of Amsterdam, opposite the Artis Zoo. From this place, the various tourist attractions are only a few minutes away and many restaurants, pubs, discos, coffee shops, casino, and movie theaters are just within walking distance. What is known about this hostel in Amsterdam is its multi-lingual staff, who are well-known for their very friendly service. As claimed, the staff generally makes sure that your stay is as comfortable as possible, providing you with the superb excursion packages, out of city trips and bicycle-car rentals.

Lucky Lake Hostel

Located at the south border of the city, the Lucky Lake Hostel in Amsterdam offers you a relaxing, beautiful area and good accommodation. It is next to the blue lake area where the water is nice and clean, making this hostel in Amsterdam the best place to swim, kayak, dive, water0ski, windsurf, fish, or rent a boat. Also, all of their rooms are well appointed and equipped with the best facilities and amenities available.

The Amsterdam Red-Light District

Probably you have heard about the Amsterdam Red-Light District as this is a very famous section in the Netherlands. Much to your surprise, what you may have heard is true! Here are some facts about the Amsterdam Red-Light District, a place unlike any place else.

The famous Amsterdam Red-Light District covers a large area in the oldest part of the city. It has been servicing the personal needs and desires of locals and visitors for five centuries, and thanks to the old buildings leaning at odd angles overlooking the tree-enshrouded canals that a certain charm tempts you to linger longer in the area. In this district, music of every genre can be heard along the streets from a dozen or more places late at night. And, it is the classier restaurants, redone streets, and revamped facades that transform what once dark and dingy into one of the most attractive parts of town – the Amsterdam Red-Light District.

Prostitution in the District

Did you know that prostitution is legal in the Netherlands? Yes, it is! It is most concentrated in the Amsterdam Red-Light District where it has enjoyed a long tradition of tolerance. It has been reported that since October 2000, window prostitutes have been allowed to legally ply their trade. Much to your surprise, the prostitutes in the Netherlands are also taxpayers. However, discrimination is still very much part and parcel in this kind of trade as a number of the prostitutes reported that some banks even refuse to grant mortgages for instance.

Now, as a legal profession, the government ensures that all prostitutes are able to access medical care and work in better conditions by way of regulating and monitoring working practices and standards. Also, it is worth noting that contrary to the popular belief, the Amsterdam Red-Light District is actually the safest area in the city as clusters of policemen and private bodyguards employed by the girls themselves are always on duty.

The Chinatown

The Amsterdam Red-Light District is one of the few places on earthy where you can authentic and really tasty Chinese food. The restaurants in this district are easy to find as cooked Duck is typically hung in the front window. However, Chinatown in itself is misleading as there are also dozens of Malaysian, Indonesian and Thai restaurants and cafés scattered along the beautiful canals. Besides the restaurants, there are other Chinese businesses in the Amsterdam Red-Light District, including a well stocked supermarket across from the Waag, near the Nieuwemarkt.

The Red-Light District Today

Amsterdam now prides itself on its wholly liberal and tolerant attitude. The city embraces, with the Amsterdam Red-Light District, embraces the fact that people may be into prostitution, pornography and soft drugs. So, instead of criminalizing everything, Amsterdam wears its heart on its sleeve. What you see is generally what you get. So, how do you get to it? The answer basically lies on which Amsterdam Red-Light District you are looking for. There are actually three Red-Light Districts in the city: the main area is in the Walletjes area, the Singel, and de Pijp.

The Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Highly accessible by air, land or sea, the Amsterdam is basically one of Europe’s top destinations. Affordable flights from within Europe, as well as direct flights from outside of the continent are readily available with the service of Europe’s fourth largest airport – the Amsterdam airport Schiphol.

The Amsterdam Airport Schiphol sees itself as far more than an airport. As claimed on its miniguide, which is obtainable from the information desks of the airport, the Amsterdal airport Schiphol is the Netherlands newest city as it caters to an audience wider than the humble trekker.

What sets the Amsterdam airport Schiphol apart from the other European airports is that, it offers a number of great attractions. Included in the list are the casino, the sauna and massage service. There was even a time that one entrepreneur was interested in opening a discreet licensed brother at this Amsterdam airport, bur even the liberal Dutch required time on that.

Driving Directions

The Amsterdam airport Schiphol is actually situated off the A4 motorway, which connects the city of Amsterdam to The Haque, Netherland’s seat of government, and Rotterdam. The exit to the airport is clearly signposted.

Car Parking

There are two short-term car parks in the Schiphol: the P1 and P2. These two are both connected to the terminal and the Schiphol Plaza by covered walkways, and is recommended of stays for up to 48 hours. Aside from the short-term car parks, there is also an available long-term parking in the airport, at an open-air P3. This car park area is situated 4 kilometers from the terminal, and a 24-hour shuttle bus is servicing in this area to provide links between P3 and the terminal. A luxury car park is also available, including a valet service.

The Bad Marks and Plus Points of the Schiphol Airport

There are a number of reasons for choosing the Amsterdam airport Schiphol. One of those is the fact that all the offbeat attractions of the airport are housed under one roof, with none of the terminal hopping that causes minor panic in transfer passengers or sometimes confuses unwary first time users. Aside from that is the fact that every great things stems from the vast Schiphol Plaza, which is the central hall of this Amsterdam airport. It is actually the plaza which provides easy access to car parks and the conveniently located rail station. In addition, it is the plaza which places pressure on your wallet as it provides a number of shops, with 40 shops currently on record.

The Schiphol airport further scores highly for its catering service that is offered both before and after passport security. It is even noted for its great thoughtful touches like a nursery for people traveling with young children. What’s more, the Amsterdam airport Schiphol is just so close to the city of Amsterdam with good transport links. It even has the best viewing terrace designed and built for aircraft enthusiasts at any major European hub airport.

However, just like many other airports in different areas in the world, the Amsterdam airport Schiphol has a reputation for baggage handling problems that greatly affected transfer passengers. And, for many people, its business center which is located airside only serves as bad mark for the airport.

The History of Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands has always been a well-known name in the world history. It is well-known throughout the world as the greatest planned city of the northern Europe, and is highly acclaimed for its rich heritage. It was considered as the center of world economy in the 17^th century, and now the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands is acclaimed for its tolerant character.

The Early Days

The greatest planned city of Amsterdam, Netherlands was first founded as a fishing village around the thirteenth century. It developed round a dam ion the Amstel river at the end of the 12^th century, and the name Amstelledamme occurs for the first time in October 27, 1275 when the toll concession of Floris V. Count of Holland happened. During the 14^th century throughout the 15^th, Amsterdam, Netherlands experienced a rapid development, which later on laid the foundation for the city’s Golden Age.

It was noted that only very few medieval buildings in the city survive today. The houses were then built of wood, a vulnerable type of construction material. The world famous Houten Huis is no exception to this rule. However, most of them were destroyed, but a surprisingly large number of Amsterdam dwellings still have timber frames.

The City’s Golden Age

The Golden Age of Amsterdam, Netherlands starts from the period 1585 and ends in 1672. This period was said to be the hey-day of the city’s commercial success. During this time, the Amsterdam, Netherlands was the staple market of the world and it is also during this period that the characteristic Amsterdam cityscape was developed. It is just worth noting that in 1613 and 1663, urban expansions are what set the city’s characteristic appearance. It is also during this time that a number of today’s historic buildings were built, like the town hall in the Dam Square, which is known as the Royal Palace at present.

The Age of Gold and Silver

1672 in Amsterdam, Netherlands was a year of disaster for the Dutch Republic as the French and English were attacking simultaneously during this time. The Golden Age of the city had come to end; however Amsterdam, Netherlands was still able to manage the consolidation of its prosperity during the period 1672 to 1795 despite of the predicament that the Republic found itself in.

At that time, the city remained as the major staple market and managed to retain its position as the financial center of Europe. Also, a large number of dwellings were built at this period, both simple and rich canal houses reflect the city’s prosperity.

Amsterdam’s Recession and Decline

In 1795 the government of the patrician oligarchies was overthrown from power and the old Republic ceased to exist. Soon, the French were to occupy the country. It was during the period 1795 to 1813 that Amsterdam, Netherlands has suffered badly from the economic recession, which is a state of affairs reflected by the stagnation of the demographic development. A number of houses were vacant at this time, and some even collapsed for lack of maintenance. However, some facades and interiors dating back to the Empire period of Amsterdam, Netherlands still survive up to these days.

1813 to 1940 in the history of Amsterdam, Netherlands marked the period of economic recovery and it was from 1870 onwards that the expansion began. A rapid population growth started to happen and from here an increasing wealth was accumulated. As many have noted, this development was primarily the result of the Industrial Revolution which triggered off a New Golden Age.

Amsterdam Hotels

Called by many as Holland, the city of Amsterdam is the most visited center in the Netherlands. Recent statistics have shown that more than 3.5 million tourists are coming to visit Amsterdam per year. This popularity stemmed from its being a city of tolerance and diversity with all the advantages of a big city, be it culture, entertainment, international restaurants, good transport, and great hotels.

Speaking of hotels, many of the Amsterdam hotels offer the best accommodation, dining and entertainment. Many of the Amsterdam hotels offers discounts for those who wish to spend their holidays in the city. They usually feature up to 75 percent discount in their standard rates. However, it is important to note that Amsterdam is a busy place during weekends, especially during the high season. Thus, it is best that you book your Amsterdam hotel well in advance.

Here is a short list of the most preferred hotels in Amsterdam.

Lloyd Hotel Amsterdam – This hub currently has the most media coverage of all the Amsterdam hotels. It is very well situated, being nearer to the center of the city, with direct public transport connections. The place also has an easy access from the ring-road and from the rooms, lovely views over the fashionable Docklands areas are to be had. In addition, Lloyd Hotel Amsterdam has parking facilities of its own in a parking garage. It also has restaurants, a bar, a soundproof music room, a library and even a “corner” shop. It offers 116 rooms, ranging from one to five stars, and it is these rooms which offer a different experience to its visitors. What’s more, the rooms in this Amsterdam hotel are beautifully finished with the most exciting Dutch designs in the interior of the rooms. All guests can also enjoy a free high speed internet access, other than satellite television with a unique selection of channels.

Piet Hein Hotel Amsterdam – Unlike Lloyd Hotel, the hotel Piet Hein offers you a pleasant nautical atmosphere. It is situated at the Vondelpark in the heart of Amsterdam, only steps away from the Van Gogh museum, Rijksmuseum, the Modern Art museum, and the lively Leidseplein with casino. As you may have noticed, this Amsterdam hotel is actually located at a beautiful spot in the Museum Quarter. You can also enjoy and relax at the open air concerts in the summer, as the Concertgebouw is just within walking distance from this Amsterdam hotel.

The Quentin Hotel Amsterdam – Located in the core of Amsterdam nightlife, The Quentin is known for her unique atmosphere. It hosts throughout the year a number of the city’s young music bands on a regular basis. It is also five minutes walk away from the beautiful Musuemplein, the home of the Rijksmuseum, with the most important collection of Dutch old masters, sculptures, prints and antique furniture. The Quentin Amsterdam hotel is also steps away from the Van Gogh Museum that hosts shows with more than 200 of the artist prime works as well as contemporary artists. The colorful Flowers Market, as well as the Waterlooplein flea market are all within a walking distance and can be easily reached from the hotel.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands. It is known throughout the world as one of the greatest small cities in the world. It lies on the banks of two rivers, the Amstel and IJ, and from its canals to the world famous museums and historical sights, Amsterdam has long been considered as one of the most romantic and wonderful cities in the whole continent of Europe.

Established in the later 12th century as a small fishing village on the banks of the Amstel River, Amsterdam has one of the largest historic city centers in Europe. One of the focal point of interest in this city is the Golden Age of Netherlands that dates largely from the 17th century. It was noted that at this time, a row of concentric, semi-circular canals were built around the older city center, but this establishment still defines the city’s layout and appearance today. Amsterdam now has fine houses and mansions that are situated along the canals. Most of these houses and mansions are lived in, while others are now offices and public buildings.

The City Government
Amsterdam, as all Dutch municipalities, is governed by a mayor, his wethouders (aldermen), and the municipal council. Nevertheless, the city is subdivided into fifteen stadsdelen (boroughs), which is a system implemented in the 1980s to improve local governance. The establishment of this system is what sets Amsterdam unique from other Dutch municipalities. The stadsdelen are said to be responsible for a number of activities that previously had been governed and managed by the central city. Fourteen of these have their respective council, which is chosen by a popular election. Westerpoort, the fifteenth, covers the harbour of the city and has very few inhabitants. It is also governed by the central municipal council.

The Language
When it comes to language, many of the people in Amsterdam are proud of the fact that just about everyone speaks English. Although many also speak German and French, it is worth noting that in this capital city of Netherlands, it is a tradition that if you are English speaking, then speak English, unless you speak Dutch too because you are more likely to offend than do anyone a favor by trying out your French or German.

There is a common misconception in the language of Amsterdam; one of those is that Dutch is very close to German. The truth is, they are not mutually intelligible: Dutch people have to learn German at school, and in general they speak better English than German. However, Dutch and German are similar in the same sort of way that French and Italian are similar.

The Weather
In Amsterdam, the typical weather ranges from a little around freezing in the depths of winter to typically pleasant sunny days of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius in the summer. There is also a little snow during the winter season. Furthermore, the spring and autumn are pleasant in Amsterdam; however these seasons can be wet, with 100+ mm of rain per month.


Safety and Health
Amsterdam is a safe city, thus there is nothing really to fear from walking in any part of the city. It has been noted that even in the red-light district around the Oude Kerk, tourists are always spotted wandering around. However, as in any large cities in other parts of the world, you should beware of pick pockets. And, don’t try to photograph the women in the red-light district for that would be risky. In terms of water, the water from taps is perfectly drinkable.