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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This meandering water channel is the deepest of all the channels and divides Venice into two parts. In some places it is up to 80 meters wide and there are just three bridges crossing it: the Ponte degli Scalzi, the Ponte di Rialto and the Ponte dell’Accademia. You can sail through this canal by a historical sailing regattas or water taxi but you may save a lot of money if you use a water bus lines, which are called a “vaporetto”.

During the boat tour through Canal Grande you can admire the beautiful Venetian palaces built in the Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance style. During the Venetian glory, many monumental churches were built among the palaces. If you go from Piazzale Roma or from the train station to San Marco, the first church you will see will be Chiesa degli Scalzi. It was built in 1656 by Baldassare Longhenem. The same architect built the church of Santa Maria della Salute and several prestigious palaces around the Grand Canal.

Just a few steps away you can see the church of San Geremia, with the relics of St. Lucy, martyr of the 4th century. On the opposite bank rises Fondaco dei Turchi, where Turkish buyers centre was situated in the years 1621 – 1838. Now it houses the Venice Museum of Natural History. Neighbouring simple building Deposit del Megi dates from the 15th century and served as the emergency breadbasket, in case there would be famine or siege.

One of the most beautiful palaces in the Canal Grande is the Palazzo Vendramin-Callergi designed by an Italian architect of the early-Renaissance Mauro Codussi. Today it houses a casino. Two additional magnificent palaces standing nearby, Ca’Pesaro, which houses a museum of modern art and Ca’d'Oro, which today serves as a space for a museum of medieval art. At the opposite side you can see the neo-Gothic Pescheria, fish market, which together with the contours of the Ponte di Rialto bridge marks the entrance to the ancient heart of Venice.

After the bridge you can see Palazzo Loredan and Palazzo Farsetti, where is now Venice city hall. In the past, the palace was occupied by Antonio Canova, the sculptor who was the representative of classicism. A little further you enjoy building Palazzo Benzon, which was inhabited by Countess Benzon in the 19th century. E.g. British poet Lord Byron belonged to the most important guests who often stayed here for the night. The poet lived a bit further in the palace of Mocenigo family for two years. He didn’t live here alone, but with a dog, wolf and monkey. Among his frequent guests was the Cogne Margherita, one of his many mistresses, who tried to kill him once he left her.

Further you can see another palace Ca’Rezzonico where is now a public museum dedicated to 18th century Venice. When you pass the bridge Ponte dell’Accademia you will see Palazzo Barbaro from 15th century, which was bought in 1885 by the Curtis family from Boston (USA). Just opposite the palace there is Palazzo Barbarigo distinguished by its mosaics of Murano glass applied in 1886. The palace is owned by the proprietors of one of the glass factories.

Another interesting building on the banks of the Canal Grande is Palazzo Venier dei Leoni that has never been completed. In its immediate vicinity there is Palazzo Dario, considered as one of the most beautiful palaces lining the waterway. However despite its beauty, none of the locals would not want to have it as it is considered to be cursed.

Another great building that is owned by a glass company is Palazzo Salviati with a mosaic facade. Further you can see the Church of Santa Maria del Giglio and Palazzo Gritti which is known as one of the best Venetian hotels. The hotel is located just beside Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute which is one of the most impressive buildings in Venice and a place where history meets the present. This is an unusual scene for organizing summer concerts, literary readings and other activities. Just a few meters further, you will enjoy the look at the Doge’s Palace and Piazza San Marco.

Do you know any other street that is so amazing? Please let us know by commenting below.

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