By Air

Direct Flights: Major European Carriers fly to Amsterdam

KLM has a direct flight to Amsterdam

Heineken Experience
The Heineken Experience is a self-guided, multimedia delve into the workings of the world s largest beer exporter.

Vondelpark
The Vondelpark is known as the green lung of Amsterdam. Of ponds, gardens, lakes, playgrounds, cafés and a bandstand.

Hortus Botanicus
The very pretty Hortus Botanicus is home to more than 800 plants from all over the world. It is also one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. The garden became an ornamental garden, displaying foreign plants.

Madame Tussaud s AmsterdamThe glory of Holland s Golden Age is the focus of this unique wax museum. Moving wax figures depict a historical journey through Holland.

Nederlands Spoorweg museum
The National Railway Museum is located in an historic station, where visitors can observe more than 60 locomotives.

Canal trips
While visiting Amsterdam, you can t miss out on a boat tour. The canal trips offer visitors a unique view of Amsterdam from the water.

NEMO Museum
The funky new NEMO Museum is an unmistakable sight on the banks of the IJ. Offers plenty of hands-on exhibits to stimulate young minds and keep them occupied, as well as provide more information on science and technology for older visitors.

Houseboat Museum
Living on a houseboat sounds like an alluring way of life and it is increasingly popular in the Amsterdam area. This modest museum, reputed to be the only one of its kind in the world, attempts to delve into this unique way of life, answering questions about what it is like to live on a boat in this historic city.

Amsterdam has much to offer the avid shopper. On the one hand, there are international fashion labels, books, arts and antiques, while on the other, there are local specialties to buy, such as tulip bulbs, chocolates, cumin cheese, stoneware bottles of jenever (Dutch gin), blue Delft china and diamonds.

The main shopping areas are Leidsestraat, between the Leidseplein and Spui, Kalverstraat and Nieuwendijk, leading from the Munt Tower via the Dam to near Central Station. Pedestrianised Leidsestraat, with its fashion boutiques, a large fashion store (Metz & Co), souvenir shops and newsagents is Amsterdam s answer to Oxford Street.

Amsterdam has 25 markets for those seeking a bargain; they are open during normal shopping hours. There is an interesting flea market around the City Hall and Opera. The busy, cosmopolitan, food and clothes market is in Albert Cuypstraat. The colourful Bloemenmarkt (flower market) on the Singel is not to be missed, while the organic food Boerenmarkt (farmers market) is in Noordermarkt.

Traditional shopping hours are Tuesday to Friday 0900 or 1000 -1800 and Saturday 0900-1700.

Public transport system is run by the municipal transport company, The best way for one to get around the city is either on foot or by using the extensive tram, metro, bus and ferry networks. Trams are still a great way of getting around. Trams operate Monday to Friday 0600-2400 (Saturday from 0630 and Sunday from 0730).

Metro lines all start at Central Station and serve the southeastern business district and the suburbs. The trains run Monday to Friday 0600-2415 (Saturday from 0630 and Sunday from 0730).

Taxis are the most expensive mode of travel, its better to order a taxi by phoning the Central Taxi Office than hailing it on the street.

De Waag, Bar
Holland Casino