Howcast

Visiting Amsterdam’s Canals

Howcast — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:53:38 +0000

Transcript

“Even if you do nothing else in Amsterdam, you have to explore the canals. They might just be the most impressive things you’ll find in the city, and it isn’t even hard to find them–they’re everywhere. Amsterdam’s nickname is Venice of the North, but at about 160, there are actually even more canals in Amsterdam than in Venice. They’re centuries old and stretch for miles, because the city was designed around them. There are well over a thousand beautiful bridges, so you probably won’t have time to cross them all, but you can still get the most out of the canals by taking a cruise on them–which happens to be the best way to take in Amsterdam’s beautiful, historic architecture. A variety of tours are offered, so be sure to search for one that appeals to you when you’re planning your trip. Amsterdam wouldn’t be the same without its canals, and you won’t really have seen Amsterdam until you’ve explored them.”

Visiting the Museumplein in Amsterdam

Howcast — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:50:12 +0000

Transcript

Amsterdam is brimming with all kinds of art, and you can see a lot of the city’s best in one district. The Museumplein, or the Museum Square, is where you’ll find three of Amsterdam’s best museums. There’s the Van Gogh Museum, which has the most pieces of Van Gogh’s art you’ll ever find in one place. The Stedelijk Museum delivers the best of Amsterdam’s modern and contemporary art, with work from local as well as world-famous artists, like Picasso and Warhol. Then there’s the Rijksmuseum, which has thousands of pieces by some of the greatest names in Western art, like Rembrandt and Vermeer. Take a break between museums with a visit to the beautiful green Vondelpark; you’ll often find festivals and live music in the park, too. If you’re into classical music, Museumplein is also where the concert hall Concertgebouw is located. This is where you can hear the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra play–just make sure to get tickets ahead of time. No matter what kind of art you’re interested in, you can’t go wrong in the Museumplein.

Visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam

Howcast — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:46:43 +0000

Transcript

“Amsterdam has seen a good deal of hardship in its long history. You can learn about those parts of Amsterdam’s history in places like the Anne Frank House, where Anne Frank and her family lived while Nazis occupied the city in World War II. They were able to hide in a secret annex of the building on the Prinsengract canal for over two years before they were betrayed. After Anne’s diary made her story famous, the building she wrote it in was preserved, restored, and made into a museum. Today, the Anne Frank House offers a close look into Anne’s personality and her life during World War II. You can see Anne’s original diary, the rooms she and her family lived in, the pictures Anne decorated the walls with, and more. Set aside plenty of time for your visit to the Anne Frank House; there’s a lot to take in–plus, since it’s one of Amsterdam’s most popular
attractions, there’s always a long line outside.”

Top 6 Places to Eat & Drink in Amsterdam

Howcast — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:37:08 +0000

Transcript

“You’ll probably do a lot of walking while you explore Amsterdam, so you’ll need to eat well. Fortunately, that won’t be difficult. Amsterdam loves its cafés. Have coffee at the famous Café Americain, located in the Eden Amsterdam American Hotel. It’s been around since 1902, and is worth visiting if only for the stunning Art Nouveau interior. Café Luxembourg hasn’t been around for quite as long, but its high quality has made it a
favorite for decades. When you’re ready for a real meal, go to D’Vijff Vlieghen for New Dutch Cuisine, high cuisine based on traditional Dutch food. The restaurant is made up of adjoining 17th-century houses, with rooms invoking the atmosphere of the Golden Age. One of Amsterdam’s best restaurants for fine dining is the critically acclaimed La Rive. It’s known for innovative, elegant French-Mediterranean inspired dishes. Indonesian cuisine is a favorite in Amsterdam, and Sama Sebo is one of the city’s oldest and most beloved Indonesian restaurants. It’s very popular, so you’ll want to make reservations. If you’re a beer lover, you’ll be happy to know you can find fantastic beer in Amsterdam–visit Brouwerij ‘t IJ, or the IJ Brewery, for a taste of authentic beer, made right there. Located inside the former bathhouse next to the De Gooyer windmill, it’s full of local flavor.
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How to Get around Amsterdam

Howcast — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:32:19 +0000

Transcript

“As long as you stay in central Amsterdam, which isn’t very big, traveling by foot is easy. You can get to a lot of popular attractions fairly quickly this way, and you’ll get to soak up the historical city’s atmosphere as you go. But if you don’t feel like walking or want to go a little further, you won’t need a car–the GVB, Amsterdam’s public transportation system, offers a variety of options. There are 16 tram lines, most of which have a stop in Centraal Station, so you can always find your way back if you get lost. There are also 4 metro lines, which will take you further out, into the suburbs. Buses will take you pretty much anywhere the tram and metro won’t, though they’re a little slower. Trams, buses, and the metro can all be payed for with an OV-chipkaart, a chip card you can store value on and scan at the readers on platforms and on board trams and buses at the beginning and end of each trip. However you choose to get around, skip the cars; navigation and parking are too much of a hassle on Amsterdam’s streets, while taxis are expensive and a challenge to navigate.
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Best Time to Visit Amsterdam

Howcast — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:27:40 +0000

Transcript

Amsterdam isn’t known for extreme weather any time of the year, and it’s also never cheap, but some months are still better to visit during than others. Summer in Amsterdam is pleasant and generally mild. The warmest months are July and August, but it rarely gets hotter than 75 degrees Fahrenheit even then, so the heat is nothing to worry about. But those are also the most popular months for tourists, so expect crowds and high prices if you go then. Winter will have fewer crowds and less expensive room rates, but the days will be cold and short, with as few as 8 hours of sunlight during December. Spring, early summer, and fall are ideal times to visit for mild weather and more moderate prices. Early April to mid-May, when the tulips bloom, is especially nice–though you should book your rooms in advance, since this is a popular time to visit the city. But no matter when you go, you won’t be bored–there’s always something to do in Amsterdam.

Top 4 Museums to Visit in Amsterdam

Howcast — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:04:16 +0000

Transcript

Amsterdam has tons of museums worth checking out, but it’s best to visit just a few of the greatest if you want to make the most of your time. One of the most popular museums in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House, the building where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II, where she wrote the diary that would become world famous after her tragic death. Visit the restored rooms and learn more of her story. If you’re interested in art, the State Museum, Rijksmuseum, is home to some of the most famous pieces of artwork in the world, like Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid. The Van Gogh Museum contains the world’s largest collection of his works, along with work by some of his greatest contemporaries, such as Monet and Gauguin.For a change of style, the Stedelijk Museum is the place to go for contemporary and modern art. You’ll find everybody from Picasso to Warhol here, along with Amsterdam’s own greatest modern artists. Whatever Amsterdam museums you go to, you’re sure to find something interesting in this city, where the old classics and the offbeat coexist.

Top 4 Places to Visit in Amsterdam

Howcast — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:51:54 +0000

Transcript

“Amsterdam is, above all, a city to take your time exploring and soaking in the atmosphere. But that isn’t to say there aren’t places you should go out of your way to visit. At about 160, Amsterdam has even more canals than Venice. You probably won’t have time to cross all the bridges, but you can still get the most out of the canals by taking a cruise–which happens to be the best way to take in Amsterdam’s beautiful, historic architecture. If you visit Amsterdam in spring or summer, the Blumenmarkt, or Flower Market, is a must. Even if you don’t buy any of Holland’s famous tulips, it’s worth it to see the colorful flower stalls on the houseboats floating on the Singel canal. Museumplein, or the Museum Square, is where you’ll find the beautiful green Vondelpark and three of Amsterdam’s best museums–the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum, and the Rijksmuseum. It’s also where you’ll find the Concertgebouw, where you can hear the Royal Orchestra play. It would be a mistake to go to Amsterdam and skip the Anne Frank House. The historical building where Anne and her family hid during World War II offers a close look into her life, struggles, and personality. Take your time on your way to these places; central Amsterdam is small enough that you can see all of it easily, and there’s something interesting around every corner.”

Top 4 Neighborhoods to Visit in Amsterdam

Howcast — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:44:41 +0000

Transcript

“All of Amsterdam’s districts are full of beautiful architecture and unique culture, making Amsterdam a great city to explore. The best neighborhood for architecture is the Grachtengordel, which is made up of 3 canals circling the old center of the city. In the 17th century, this was where the city’s wealthiest merchants built their
houses. Thousands of stunning canal houses and mansions have been preserved so they can still be appreciated today. The Jordaan district doesn’t have a history of wealth like the Grachtengordel, but it’s one of the most trendy and upscale districts in Amsterdam now. Live music, art galleries, and quirky stores and
restaurants thrive here. De Wallen, or “The Walls” is a beautiful neighborhood to walk through, with some of Amsterdam’s best canals and 16th-century architecture. It’s also where Amsterdam’s Red Light District can be found, but don’t let that discourage you from exploring, even if you’re not interested in what that district offers. Just go during the day, or go in groups and stick to the main streets at night. For a change of style, visit The Waterfront, or Het IJ. Beautiful modern architecture can be found here, along with spectacular views of the
water. Amsterdam’s mix of the old and the new make for a city with an offbeat charm evident in all of its neighborhoods.”