May 20, 2013

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Clubbing in Amsterdam

clubbing in amsterdamClubbing in Amsterdam is likely to be a complete new experience. Amsterdam has built a strong name as a nightlife city and Dutch DJs are among the best of the world. Amsterdam especially has excellent electronic music of all kinds but the nightlife also offers other music styles.

The parties and clubs in Amsterdam are not centered around one specific square or place but are spread. For clubbing in Amsterdam you can go to a few places with a high number of bars and clubs. One of these is the Rembrandtplein. Here you can find larger clubs but also small bars. The famous club Escape is located here. This club attracts a large crowd of both locals and tourists and has popular electronic music of all kinds. At this square you will also find the clubs Club Home and Studio 80. Studio 80 offers slightly more alternative electronic music, Club Home plays all kinds of electronic music. The second famous square and party center is the Leidseplein. Besides a large amount of bars it counts three large well-known clubs. These are Paradiso, Melkweg and Sugar Factory.. All play different styles of music and have theme nights that can be found online on their websites.

Clubbing in Amsterdam is not just based on clubs and bars. Equally great are the hosted parties in random locations all over the city. These are usually a bit more expensive than the average entrance fee but also have better music and DJs. A great location is the Westergasfabriek, it used be a factory and has several buildings were parties frequently take place.

Clubbing in Amsterdam is well organized and several websites offer lists of all the parties in Amsterdam online. There are usually parties on all days of the week don’t end until late. Whether you will browse the internet for a perfect night or you will go barhopping around the squares, Amsterdam has a lot to offer for everyone.

Moving Around

One of the greatest things about Amsterdam is that it is so easy to move around the city. One of the best forms of transport are bicycles. You can rent them for a day and cycle visiting various clubs and locations. And, while you are in, you can leave your cycle chained to one of the many bike racks outside.

 

Photo credit: Nathan.F via Flickr

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The Netherlands: Hidden Gems Beyond Amsterdam

utrechtThe Netherlands is a popular travel destination as it offers something for every tourist. Amsterdam, in particular, attracts the majority of the country’s visitors due to its grand architecture, beautiful canals and ‘relaxed’ atmosphere. However, The Netherlands also has many other wonderful cities, which we will explore here in more detail.

Delft

Delft is situated between Rotterdam and The Hague in the province of South Holland. The city is over 750 years old and was built around its oldest Canal, The Old Delft. The canals are the pride of the city and are also a great way to visit the main tourist attractions, or to tour the city via the Canal taxi boats or channel cruse. The city is famous for its traditional architecture and its beautiful blue and white ceramics, and is also a centre of art and science. Delft has a vast array of attractions and there is something for everybody. If architecture is particularly of interest, the churches in Delft are remarkably beautiful. Nieuwe Kerk, or New Church, boasts an impressive 108.75m tower which visitors are permitted to climb, for a small fee, to get an unobstructed view of the city and its surroundings. Delft was home to the famous artist Johannes Vermeer, and the Vermeer Centrum provides a view on his life and his work. It is also worthwhile seeing the porcelain and earthenware factories, as some offer workshops as well as tours, and there are many museums, which are also worth a visit. Delft is 45 minutes from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol by train, and a few kilometres from Rotterdam, The Hague Airport.

Utrecht

Utrecht is the fourth-largest city in the Netherlands and is known for its history, which can be traced back to 47 AD. It is also known as a popular destination for young people, as the large student population has resulted in a vast array of nightlife and restaurants. The city is easily accessible via Amsterdam Airport Schniphol, which is just 30 minutes away by train, and has plenty to do and see for every taste. One of the most notable attractions is Dom Church, which is one of the city’s most important religious buildings, with a bell tower measuring 112 metres high. There are many other churches around the city with fascinatingly beautiful architecture. The Oudegracht canal is also a must see when visiting the city. It boasts a range of shops and restaurants, as well as picturesque cellars on water level, which historically were used for storage, but now house many restaurants and pubs. Utrecht also features some beautiful architecture that must be seen, and tours are popular by both or by boat on the canals. Furthermore, there are other museums for virtually every interest, and parks for relaxing outside.

Maastricht

Maastricht is the capital of the province of Limburg, and is the Netherlands southernmost city, being notable for being within walking distance of Belgium and cycling distance of Germany. There are many options when travelling to Maastricht. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is three hours via train, and Rotterdam is approximately two and a half hours. Alternatively, the city can be accessed via flights to Belgian airports, the closest of which is only 30 minutes away by train. As with many of the Netherlands cities, Masstricht is host to some breathtakingly beautiful architecture. The city centre contains two town squares, one of which houses the impressive St Servaas Church and St Jan’s Cathedral, and the second of which contains the Town Hall and the city’s amazing markets. The city’s festivals are famous for their atmosphere and celebration. Festivals are held throughout the year, so be sure to check if there are any occurring during your visit. Other attractions include a variety of museums, from art to natural history, as well as tours of both the Saint Pietersberg Caves, with over 20,000 passages, and a network of bunkers called Kazematten. Maastricht is also known for its fantastic shopping opportunities, with something for every taste and budget.

The Netherlands – Much More Than Amsterdam!

While Amsterdam is probably the most famous of the tourist destinations in the Netherlands, there are so many more cities to be explored. The cities mentioned here are a sample of some of the alternative destinations the Netherlands has to offer. Each one is unique, but at the same time promises to offer something for everyone. Whether you prefer laid back exploring by bike, or something more up tempo, whichever city you choose to visit, you are guaranteed not to be disappointed.

Photo credit: lambertwm

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A Short Guide to Amsterdam Nightlife

Amsterdam as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe offers almost everything to entertain your eyes. There you can find big popular building, galleries, museums and opera houses. You will be amazed by all its beautiful sceneries and tourist spots. But you’ll absolutely love Amsterdam more during the night. You’ll be amazed on how the whole city will transform during night time. Evening lights will start to sparkle most especially during spring and summer times. Nightlife in Amsterdam is nothing but fun. Night clubs, restaurants and cafes starts to become busy. People of different walks of life start to crowd and get a whole lot of fun.

The famous Red Light city district which is found between the central station and the popular big Dam Square attracts more and more tourist. Their main reason is just to observe working girls in the brightly lit windows while they display their charms. But keep in mind that taking shots is prohibited. In case you dare doing it, a security person will remind you, destroy your film and might ask you to leave. So be careful. In that same area, you can also find what they call the sex and erotic museums. You should see those museums not because it displays sexuality but shows the collection of Amsterdam’s artifacts. And more importantly, you’re allowed to take pictures inside those museums.

You will also be able to find a lot of nightclubs which are suitable for most party people. If you wanted to dance the night away, that place is absolutely made for you. There are varieties of night clubs in the square depending on your style and budget. It’s up for you to decide. Other than crowded nightclubs, Amsterdam has various hotels and cafes developed as a center for nightlife. The most popular are the cafe terraces which allow people to enjoy the drink while watching the whole world moves. It is at its peak during summer nights. If you’re looking for a more classy nightlife in Amsterdam, you can always visit the city theater. There you can watch and listen great music in a fairy-tale and 19th century atmosphere. Around the area, you can also see plenty coffee shops and are open until mid night.

Amsterdam offers almost everything you need and itís up for you to discover when your get there. Thus, if you want a whole satisfying night life experience, visiting Amsterdam is one good option.

Photo credit: benoit.darcy

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What to do in Amsterdam for a Weekend

Needless to say, it is easy to get overwhelmed by just thinking about all the beautiful tourist spots and major attractions in Amsterdam. You might be thinking that a day or two is not enough to visit them all. However, even a short weekend trip is enough to see some of the city. Even with such a short time you can still make your stay in Amsterdam meaningful and very unforgettable. You should know that Amsterdam is known as a walking friendly city. It is completely flat and very conducive for having a stroll. You can stroll the whole city by just using your feet. If that’s what you want to do, here are some tips to make your walks memorable.

Start by taking a good walk along the amazing Amsterdam canals. Get a glimpse of the many beautiful buildings and the city’s wonderful architecture. To make it even more memorable, bringing a camera or a video recorded might be a good idea. If you wanted to go somewhere quiet and stay away from the traffic noise. You can take a visit on Amsterdam little secret garden, Begijnhof. The place is so peaceful and quite. It is ideal for someone who wanted a bit of peace of mind.

You also need to try stepping on the bridges. Amsterdam is surrounded by many different bridges across canals. Leaning over the bridge and admiring the entire view will amplify your spirit. The view is best during the night, you can see building lights lit just as you can see them on the postcards. Bicycles play a vital part in Netherlands lifestyle. Riding a bike is like proving yourself that you are a free spirited citizen. You can see all the beautiful sights while riding a bike around the city. You can check out some bike hire in the area.

If you travel with your entire family, you can try going on a picnic. Vondelpark which is the largest park in Amsterdam is a good location. You can even do some physical exercise in the park like cycling and football. The park is naturally more alluring during summer. Kids’ activities, music and dance are taking place from June to September. Those are the best moths to visit the park. You can’t leave Amsterdam without visiting any of its museums. There you can find about the colorful past and history of the city. Also, don’t forget to do a sneak peek on Amsterdam’s Red Light City District.

Photo credit: Moyan_Brenn