24
August
______
2021
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and its financial and trade center. Every year this charming city attracts many tourists from all over the world. It is famous for its historical landmarks, a lot of museums, countless canals, boat houses, population tolerance. There is a dense network of canals arranged in the form of concentric circles inside the city. There are enough bridges for the people built by the government. Although the subway as a transport infrastructure is well developed, the people use bicycles and you can see a lot of bicycle parking on several floors.
The recommended places that you can visit within a day and a half are:
A recommended place to stay is Room Mate Aitana Hotel.
The recommended places to eat: Papa Ali Halal Steak House.
Exploring Amsterdam for a day and a half
We arrived in Amsterdam by train from Rotterdam at noon. We stayed at the modern hotel Room Mate Aitana. The reasons for our choice are two: Central Station is just minutes away and the building is extremely sleek, designed entirely of glass, next to the Palace of Justice. The hotel is located right next to the sports boat marina and offers amazing views. It combines coziness, warmth and modernism.
After a short break and a booked ticked in advance for the two attractions This is Holland and A’DAM Lookout, you can go to them. They are located on the opposite shore of Central Station. Access to them is via free ferries. The Dutch government has decided that the ferries that cross the IJ River will be free for people and cyclists because there are no bridges and there is no way to cross the river. You can use ferry F3 that will take you to the other shore where the two wanted landmarks are and the EYE Film Museum too.
This is Holland is an iconic round building where you can experience a unique journey in the world of the Netherlands going from room to room and ending with a 5D flight. The latest technology is used and you can feel real flying. This 9-minute flight gives you the opportunity to view the most interesting places of this amazing country while feeling the wind in your hair, splashes of water on your face and the smell of tulips. You are left breathless after the unique fireworks at the end of the flight.
A’DAM Lookout is an observing platform with a panoramic view of Amsterdam. You can see the port, the canals, the historical city from there. It is located at the top of the A’DAM tower. Getting there you must use a lift which will take you to the 20th floor in 20 seconds. It is not an ordinary lift because you will enjoy a spectacular light and sound show with a transparent ceiling. Everything is incredible and prepares you for the view of the top. There is another unforgettable feeling which is called Over the edge swing, of course, if you dare. Two people sit in a large swing and begin to swing over the building and the edge. The height of this attraction is 100 meters and that’s why it the highest swing in Europe.
The EYE Film Museum is located near these two attractions. Its name comes from its eye-shaped form. Extremely beautiful architecture. You can watch movies there, see exhibitions of movie posters, there is an interactive basement, a souvenir shop and a restaurant.
After these incredible hours you can return to the other shore with the free ferry and eat something at Central Station. There you feel yourself like you are in a mall, so you do not be disappointed.
Next day begins with a walk. There are several routes you can make but keep in mind that the weather can destroy your plans and you must rearrange the places from the bucket list. This is exactly what happened to us.
The first landmark for visiting is Dam Square. It is created in the 13th century when a dam was built around the Amstel river to protect the city from sea floods. The next interesting buildings are located there.
The Royal Palace is situated in the west part of the square. It was originally built to be the city hall 350 years ago. The king Louis Napoleon conversed it to a Royal Palace in 1808 and it has remained ever since. It is one of the three palaces still used by the Royal Family. Nowadays the king welcomes important guests in the palace, otherwise it is opened every day for citizens and tourists. You can admire the marble floors, the beautiful chandeliers, the paintings and the sculptures in it.
The New Church is right to the Royal Palace. It is famous for its exclusive exhibitions for art and photography. It also hosts royal ceremonies. It is opened to the public every day.
Almost opposite the New Church is located the wax museum Madame Tussauds. You can see famous artists, singers, political figures and others there. The entering price is 21.50 euro if the ticket is booked online. Enter there, take a look, take photos and have fun!
Put the GPS coordinates of the next amazing place and go on. It is a bridge, called “The bridge of 15th bridges / Brug van 15 bruggen”. Its name shows the view you will see – looking in different directions you can count 15 bridges and enjoy the canals on which they are built.
Continue walking through the beautiful canals and bridges of Amsterdam until you reach the Rijksmuseum. It is established in 1800 year in Hague by the brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, Louis Bonaparte. It is moved to Amsterdam to the Royal Palace in 1808. Passing through the open tunnel, you will find yourself in a beautiful park for photos and breaks.
Forward is the next museum – the Van Gogh Museum, the art museum. The building is very different and even if you are very tired to enter, it is nice to stay outside and to look at it.
It is time to go to the dock for a boat tour, which you’ve already booked. We recommend Classic Canal Cruise. The tour lasts one hour and a half, you have a live guide, who is the captain at the same time, free coffee or tea. The boats of this company are exclusively cozy. The story that tells you the captain during the tour is very intrigue, you see the many of Amsterdam’s landmarks as well as the boat houses. The price is a little more than the standard tours (about 30 euro), but absolutely everything is worth. We had a great luck because of the Corona virus. There were not many tourists and there were only 6 people in the boat, so it can be said we were on a private boat tour.
3D printed bridge awaits us after this cruise tour. It is located in the Red Light District, so we have an opportunity to walk through it. The pedestrian bridge is the first 3D printed stainless bridge all over the world. Its length is 12 meter and with its futuristic S-shape attracts many people. It is located on one of the oldest canals in Amsterdam. It is worth seeing it and walking around it. The future waits you.
Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum is nearby. It is the oldest cannabis museum in the world. It was established in 1987 and since then the museum welcomes over two million visitors. There you will learn how ancient people have used the plant for clothes and cure. The ticket price with audio guide is 9 euro.
Going ahead you cross a pedestrian and bicycle bridge and reach the Nemo Science Museum. Do not forget to take a photo on the bridge. We did not have time to enter the museum but we shall do next time. Once again, pay attention to the beautiful and interesting building and climb the special platform by stairs or by elevator. There, in front of you is the opportunity for 360-degree view, to relax on a bench with a cup of coffee, as well as for wonderful attractions. They probably are designed for children, but if you keep the child in you, you will remain as fascinated as we were.
Many ships and boats are docked at the back of the Nemo Science Museum. They present The National Maritime Museum. I suppose that you will not have time to go inside if you follow our route, but at least you can see the boats from the outside or when you pass along them on a boat trip that we recommend.
A delicious dinner follows at the Papa Ali Halal restaurant and our adventure in Amsterdam finishes, but our desire to return here for a few more days remains.
