Amsterdam Canal, Netherlands by William Beutler

1. The Anne Frank Museum – €8.50

This very moving museum is a must see.  Visit the Annex where Anne Frank lived under the Nazi regime and where she wrote her diary. There is also an exhibition tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and racial intolerance.

2. The Hash Museum – €7

Despite its magnificent architecture, fascinating history and cultural attractions, most tourists come to Amsterdam to smoke in the coffee shops. Exhibitions at the museum offer a detailed history of its use and cultural meanings of hemp around the world and you can even see how cannabis has the potential to become a “resource renewable energy” – sounds fishy to us!

3. A Water Taxi Ride on the Canals – €8

The many canals and waterways are some of the main features of Amsterdam. The best way to see them is to take a boat. In general, tourist trips on a boat are very expensive and overcrowded. We therefore advise you to go to Damrak Street, and jump in a water taxi, which will take you for an hour on the canals of Amsterdam cheaply.

4. Underground Church in the Red Light District – €7

And yes, there is a church in one of the most disreputable parts of the city. There was a time when Amsterdam was deeply Protestant, and not so tolerant Catholics settled in this church.  Today the Amstelkring Museum (or “Our Lord in the Attic”) is worth visiting as well as the attic rooms which house a collection of paintings, sculptures and silverware, which gives an insight into Catholic time in Amsterdam.

5. Beer Tasting in a Windmill

At The Brouwerij there is a windmill that has a micro brewery and pub. Every Friday afternoon from 4pm you can have a free tour of the brewery. Meanwhile the pub is open from 3pm until eight at night and offers delicious local organic beers. With an average price of €1.90 for a beer you can enjoy a few glasses – but beware the hangover!

6. Historic House on the Edge of the Channel – €6

The canal-side houses offer a great visual experience with architecture of all shapes and sizes, some of which looking like it about to collapse. If you are curious about the history of Amsterdam and its houses, then take a walk through the doors of the Geelvinck Hinlopen Huis Museum which gives you a tour around the gardens and themed rooms – and give an idea of the style of life in the 17th century.

7. Bike Rental – €6.50

The best way to navigate the streets of Amsterdam is still on bike. Not just because it’s good for your health, but it is also a great way to discover the different parts of the city, especially if you have to stay the whole weekend. Because of its popularity in the capital, you’ll have no problem finding a safe place for your bike. The streets are filled with bike and dedicated places to park.  You can pre-rent a bike online or visit Damstraat Rent-A-Bike (Damstraat 20-22, 1012). It will only cost you €6.50 for 3 hours.  You won’t find many better ways of having a relaxing afternoon in Amsterdam.

8. A Taste of Suriname

Better known under the name of Dutch Guyana, Suriname (South America) is a former Dutch colony. Many Surinamese emigrated to Holland, bringing with them cultural and culinary traditions. Suriname is in itself a melting pot, the food is a mix of Indian, Creole and Indonesian. Surinamese restaurants in Amsterdam flourished, particularly in the Pjip area. The Warung Malong is one of the best of them (Van der Helststraat first 55 Wed – Mon 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.).

9. Dutch Cheese Tasting

One of the most exported goods after the Dutch beer Heineken, is cheese! It is very easy to find a good piece of Edam or Gouda in Amsterdam. But the best is the cheese from Kaaskamer.  This cave contains enormous cheese wheels with over 440 different cheeses (all aligned along the height and walls), as well as a variety of breads, meats and pies to top it off.

10. Tulip Bulbs to Take Home – €5

The Bloemenmarkt or Floating Flower Market, located on the Singel Canal is one of the most beautiful attractions in Amsterdam. Holland is famous for its beautiful tulips that come every spring, and hundreds of cyclists ride the “Route de la Tulipe” to admire the flowers. Tulip bulbs are a great souvenir, you can buy 12 bulbs on the market for €5, so do not hesitate to bring a big bag so you can plant some back at home in your own garden!

Guest Author: Article sourced and edited by Jane Middlecamp.  Jane is a travel blogger who regularly writes about weekend destinations.  If you are stuck for something to do when in a foreign city then you should check out the travel section in the Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition.  For more information on a subscription to the WSJ Weekend Only Edition please check the link below:

www.wallstreetsubscriptions.com/wall-street-journal-weekend-edition-discount-subscription

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Tim Morris

Hotels In London

Book your hotel near to the area you are most interested in visiting to save time and travel costs. London has many hotels with a wide range of prices. One taxi ride from a night club from east London to your hotel in west London could cost you half the price of a room. If you are in to going out or looking for some special excitement, try to book a hotel in that area. The underground stops work around midnight, but it doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying the night life. Check out our video of guilty pleasures of sitting in London and use our special accommodation booking system to ensure that you get a hotel in the right area for you. Try to enjoy a bit of everything, but try and plan ahead so that you don’t get stuck in one area because this city offers so many attractions that you could easily get lost. Use the other video clips on our website to ensure you see all the must-see places on your trip. You could also view our special clips which will show you all the things you are really passionate about. Is it shopping, art, markets, or maybe parks? London has it all so plan your ideas well in advance for maximum enjoyment.

Book Your Tickets in Advance

It is best to book your tickets in advance as London offers so many attractions. A lot of them are free but many are not and booking in advance means that you can better manage your costs and plan a day of fun around the attractions you’ve booked. For example, if you want to have a ride on the London eye, you could combine it with a walk towards the Tate-Modern. Our number one trip is to plan your trip in accordance to the season you are traveling in. If you are going to visit London in the winter, you may want to plan more indoor activities such as museums and galleries and plan all the outdoor activities during the shorter daylight hours. If you travel in the summer, you can combine more trips in the park, etc.

Planning a trip to London soon? Great. Our city has so much to offer. But with all the attractions, shows, museums, palaces, and historical sites, you think it might cost you the world. Well, our tip is to plan ahead and control your costs. Book your hotel room, get excellent tickets to western musicals, and plan in advance the attractions you wish to visit. Cut the queues, cut the prices, and enjoy your vacation. Check out our great hotel offers on our website for more information.

Outlet4holidays are well versed in accomodation and still have limited availability for the London 2012 Olympics. Please email us for more information.

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