Amsterdam, Further Distractions
Vondelpark
The largest park in Amsterdam and an amazing popular place for Amsterdammers to hang out, 1000's of people walk, jog, skateboard, cycle, sit, feed the ducks, people watch, picnic, paint, sun bathe, dog walk and many other things . Voldel park ,named after a Dutch poet is known as the ‘green heart" of Amsterdam and comprises 120 acres of pure beauty with many ponds, gardens, lakes, playgrounds, cafés and a very large bandstand. Summer months see several free concerts, plenty of busker's, classical quartets and jazz singers also provide entertainment. Voldel park could not be handier to get to as it's just a short stroll from the Leidseplein, Vondelpark is an great place for visitors to get away from it all for a few hours.
Vondelpark, Roemer Visscherstraat
Transport: Tram 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10 or 12.
Opening hours: Daily dawn until dusk.
Admission: Free.
Hortus Botanicus.
The botanic gardens is a lovely place to visit even it your not that into plants. With over 800 plants from all over the world It is one of the longest established botanical gardens in the world.
Originally established as a ‘Hortus Medicus’ herb garden in 1638 but has brown over the centuries and now has plants from every corner in the world. Guided tours take place on Sunday at 1300 and last for 60–90 minutes.
Plantage Middenlaan 2a
Tel: (020) 625 9021. Fax: (020) 625 7006.
E-mail: hortus.amsterdam@wxs.nl
Transport: Metro Waterlooplein; tram 7 or 9.
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 0900–1700, Sat and Sun 1100–1700 (Apr–Oct); Mon–Fri 0900–1600, Sat and Sun 1100–1600 (Nov–May).
Admission: €3.40 (Oct–Apr); €6 (Apr–Oct); concessions available.
Roemer Visscherstraat
This is know as the "Seven Countries" street, this extraordinary street, Roemer Visscherstraat, was built in 1894, by Tjeerd Kuipers architect. Each building focuses on the architecture of a European city. Located between Vondelpark and Leidseplein, numbers 20 to 30a of this street provide a short excursion through seven European cities. Number 20, with its Gothic style windows, is based on German architecture. Number 22 is a miniature French chateau, 24 is a Moorish masterpiece, Number 26 is an Italian palazzo and next door to this is an onion-shaped dome house which is reminiscent of a Russian cathedral building, Number 30 is a Dutch style house and 30a has the look of an English style cottage.
Street name - Roemer Visscherstraat 20–30a
Getting there - Trams 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10 or 12.
Houseboat Museum
Amsterdam has many house boats with 1000's of people living on them but has only one house boat museum. This museum is actually a real house boat which someone lives on but they open it to the public during the summer months for visitors to see what it's like inside. Visitors get a unique view of what it's like to live of a house boat. Any questions you may have are answered. The boat is as much like a house as possible, with a living room, shower, toilet and one bedroom. It's well worth a look.
Located opposite Prinsengracht 296
Tel: (020) 427 0750.
E-mail: info@houseboatmuseum.nl
Transport: Trams 13, 14 or 17.
Opening hours: Wed–Sun 1100–1700 (Mar–Oct), Fri–Sun 1100–1700 (Nov–Feb).
Admission: €2.50.
Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)
Despite its name, this is not the original church building. The original stood from 1408, built of wood the church was badly damaged by fire and thorn down and replaced with the present building which dates from the 17th century One of the most interesting pieces inside the church is the pulpit. Rising to a height of more than 10m (over 33 feet), it took sculptor Albert Jansz Vinckenbrinck 19 years (1645–1664) to finish it. A closer look at the carved ‘rope’ of the handrail will reveal mischievous angels sliding down it. Located next door to the Royal Palace right on Dam square and has been used for the inauguration of Dutch monarchs since 1815. The present Queen Beatrix was crowned here in 1980.
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal
Transport: Tram 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 13, 14, 16, 17, 24 or 25.
Opening Hours: Mon–Fri 1000–1600, Sat and Sun 1100–1700
Wetlands Safari
Fancy doing something a bit different during your stay in Amsterdam well enjoy a safari with a difference.enjoy a Wetlands safari, an active nature excursion close to Amsterdam.
You and a few others may your way around and through some amazing scenery and dense river vines and reed land and during it you will come across a 17th century landscape pass through small villages in this unique watery landscape. You can listen and watch many water-and singing birds as well as smelling the amazing many different smells coming from the wonderful smelling waterplants with their fascinating flowers.
Summer Months Only
Visit their site here ---- http://www.wetlandssafari.nl
