Part 1 (2/2)
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12 Queen's Day Queen's Day * Amsterdammers let their hair down on Queen's Day (Koninginnedag), the city's biggest and wildest munic.i.p.al knees-up. * Amsterdammers let their hair down on Queen's Day (Koninginnedag), the city's biggest and wildest munic.i.p.al knees-up.
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13 Oude Kerk Oude Kerk * The city's oldest and most venerable church, slap-bang in the middle of the Red Light District. * The city's oldest and most venerable church, slap-bang in the middle of the Red Light District.
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14 Indonesian food Indonesian food * Fill up on Amsterdam's ethnic food speciality. * Fill up on Amsterdam's ethnic food speciality.
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15 Amstelkring Amstelkring * The last of the city's clandestine Catholic churches now holds a fascinating museum. * The last of the city's clandestine Catholic churches now holds a fascinating museum.
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16 The Eastern docklands The Eastern docklands * The city's most resurgent district, with some of its coolest bars and restaurants, and landmark contemporary architecture. * The city's most resurgent district, with some of its coolest bars and restaurants, and landmark contemporary architecture.
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17 Cycling Cycling * Get around the city like a local by renting a bike for the day. * Get around the city like a local by renting a bike for the day.
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18 Proeflokalen Proeflokalen * Served ice-cold, jenever, the Dutch version of gin, is the nation's favourite spirit, and these ”tasting-houses” are the traditional places to sample it in its various flavours. * Served ice-cold, jenever, the Dutch version of gin, is the nation's favourite spirit, and these ”tasting-houses” are the traditional places to sample it in its various flavours.
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19 The Heineken Experience The Heineken Experience * Although this is no longer a working brewery, the compensation is an excellent museum devoted to the art of brewing with a few beers thrown in along the way. * Although this is no longer a working brewery, the compensation is an excellent museum devoted to the art of brewing with a few beers thrown in along the way.
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20 Rijksmuseum Rijksmuseum * The city's greatest museum featuring everything from paintings to furniture and applied arts is undergoing restoration, but you can still see the best of its paintings in the Philips Wing. * The city's greatest museum featuring everything from paintings to furniture and applied arts is undergoing restoration, but you can still see the best of its paintings in the Philips Wing.
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Basics Getting there Arrival Getting around The media Travel essentials
Getting there UK travellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding how to get to Amsterdam. There are plenty of flights, from all over the UK, and taking the train through the Channel Tunnel is just as easy not much cheaper, but almost as quick. Bus travel is probably the most affordable option; and by car, deals for drivers on ferry routes into Dutch and Belgian ports are particularly compet.i.tive. From North America and Canada the main decision is whether to fly direct easy enough as Schiphol is a major international air travel hub, served by dozens of short- and long-haul airlines or to route via London, picking up a budget flight onwards from there. From Australia and New Zealand, all flights to Amsterdam require one or two stops on the way; from South Africa, direct flights are available.
Getting there
Flights from the UK and Ireland Amsterdam is one of the UK UK's most popular short-haul destinations, and you'll find loads of choice in carriers, flight times and departure airports. Aside from the major full-service carriers (KLM, British Airways and BMI), there are plenty of no-frills airlines operating flights to Amsterdam, including EasyJet, BMIbaby, Transavia and Jet2.com, as well as a few business-oriented, smaller carriers such as VLM.
Flights to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport Schiphol Airport (p.r.o.nounced skip-oll) take roughly an hour from London, or ninety minutes from Scotland and the north of England. There's a good number of daily flights out of London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City plus nonstop flights from many of the UK's (p.r.o.nounced skip-oll) take roughly an hour from London, or ninety minutes from Scotland and the north of England. There's a good number of daily flights out of London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City plus nonstop flights from many of the UK's regional airports regional airports, including Birmingham, East Midlands, Cardiff, Southampton, Norwich, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds-Bradford, Humberside, Newcastle, Teesside, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Whichever route you choose, it's hard to say precisely what you'll pay pay at any given time: the price depends hugely on when you book and when you fly, what offers are available and how lucky you are. However, flying to Amsterdam with one of the low-cost airlines between April and September, you'll pay around 120 return travelling at convenient times at the weekend, including taxes, as opposed to 160 with one of the full-service carriers. Weekday travel will cost 5070 with a budget carrier, 100 or so with a full-service airline. If you want more flexibility with your ticket you'll pay more, as you will if you book at the last minute economy return tickets from London to Amsterdam can cost anything up to 400. All carriers offer their lowest prices online. at any given time: the price depends hugely on when you book and when you fly, what offers are available and how lucky you are. However, flying to Amsterdam with one of the low-cost airlines between April and September, you'll pay around 120 return travelling at convenient times at the weekend, including taxes, as opposed to 160 with one of the full-service carriers. Weekday travel will cost 5070 with a budget carrier, 100 or so with a full-service airline. If you want more flexibility with your ticket you'll pay more, as you will if you book at the last minute economy return tickets from London to Amsterdam can cost anything up to 400. All carriers offer their lowest prices online.
Flying to Amsterdam from Northern Ireland Northern Ireland, the most economical option is with EasyJet out of Belfast International (fares are around 100). From the Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland, Aer Lingus flies five times daily to Amsterdam from Dublin and twice daily from Cork, for a minimum 80100 return, depending on the season, with fares rising at peak times.
Getting there
Flights from the US and Canada Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is among the most popular and least expensive gateways to Europe from North America and Canada North America and Canada, and finding a convenient and good-value flight is rarely a problem. Direct flights Direct flights are operated by KLM/Northwest, Continental and Delta Airlines; many more fly are operated by KLM/Northwest, Continental and Delta Airlines; many more fly via London via London and other European centres and are nearly always cheaper because of it. and other European centres and are nearly always cheaper because of it.
Virtually every region of the US and Canada is well served by the major airlines. KLM and Northwest, which operate a joint service, offer the widest range of flights, with direct or one-stop flights to Amsterdam from eleven US cities, and connections from dozens more. From elsewhere in the US, the Dutch charter firm Martinair flies year-round from Miami direct to Amsterdam. United also flies direct to Amsterdam from Chicago, while Delta operates from Atlanta and New York; Continental from Houston.
Booking far enough in advance, you should be able to find a fare fare between April and September for $700900 return from New York (flight time 8hr 10min) or Chicago (8hr), $9001000 from Atlanta (10hr), and around $1000 from LA (10hr 30min), though booking less than a couple of weeks in advance can push these prices up considerably. between April and September for $700900 return from New York (flight time 8hr 10min) or Chicago (8hr), $9001000 from Atlanta (10hr), and around $1000 from LA (10hr 30min), though booking less than a couple of weeks in advance can push these prices up considerably.
From Canada Canada, KLM flies direct to Amsterdam year-round from Vancouver (9hr 30min) and from Toronto (7hr 10min). There are also plenty of one-stop options via Frankfurt, London and Paris. Fares Fares from Toronto go for around Can$1100, from Vancouver around Can$1400. from Toronto go for around Can$1100, from Vancouver around Can$1400.
Getting there
Flights from the US and Canada Flights from the US and Canada
Six steps to a better kind of travel Six steps to a better kind of travelAt Rough Guides we are pa.s.sionately committed to travel. We feel strongly that only through travelling do we truly come to understand the world we live in and the people we share it with plus tourism has brought a great deal of benefit benefit to developing economies around the world over the last few decades. But the extraordinary growth in tourism has also damaged some places irreparably, and of course to developing economies around the world over the last few decades. But the extraordinary growth in tourism has also damaged some places irreparably, and of course climate change climate change is exacerbated by most forms of transport, especially flying. This means that now more than ever it's important to is exacerbated by most forms of transport, especially flying. This means that now more than ever it's important to travel thoughtfully travel thoughtfully and and responsibly responsibly, with respect for the cultures you're visiting not only to derive the most benefit from your trip but also to preserve the best bits of the planet for everyone to enjoy. At Rough Guides we feel there are six main areas in which you can make a difference:* Consider what you're contributing to the local economy local economy, and how much the services you use do the same, whether it's through employing local workers and guides or sourcing locally grown produce and local services.* Consider the environment environment on holiday as well as at home. Water is scarce in many developing destinations, and the biodiversity of local flora and fauna can be adversely affected by tourism. Try to patronize businesses that take account of this. on holiday as well as at home. Water is scarce in many developing destinations, and the biodiversity of local flora and fauna can be adversely affected by tourism. Try to patronize businesses that take account of this.* Travel with a purpose, not just to tick off experiences. Consider spending longer spending longer in a place, and getting to know it and its people. in a place, and getting to know it and its people.* Give thought to how often you fly fly. Try to avoid short hops by air and more harmful night flights.* Consider alternatives to flying alternatives to flying, travelling instead by bus, train, boat and even by bike or on foot where possible.* Make your trips ”climate neutral” via a reputable carbon offset scheme. All Rough Guide flights are offset, and every year we donate money to a variety of charities devoted to combating the effects of climate change.
Getting there
Flights from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa There are no direct flights no direct flights to the Netherlands from to the Netherlands from Australia and New Zealand Australia and New Zealand: all involve at least one stop. Singapore Airways and Malaysian offer the most direct routes out of Sydney (stopping in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur respectively). Thai, Austrian and Qantas all have two stops (Bangkok/Munich, Bangkok/Vienna and Singapore/London). Flights from Christchurch go via Sydney and London and from Wellington via Melbourne or Sydney and London. One further option is to pick up a cheap ticket to London, and then continue your journey to Amsterdam with one of the no-frills budget airlines airlines.
From South Africa South Africa, KLM offers direct flights direct flights to Amsterdam, with services from Cape Town and Johannesburg. South African Airways offers one-stop flights via London and Frankfurt or Munich; Lufthansa via Frankfurt; and Virgin Atlantic via London. to Amsterdam, with services from Cape Town and Johannesburg. South African Airways offers one-stop flights via London and Frankfurt or Munich; Lufthansa via Frankfurt; and Virgin Atlantic via London.
Fares from Sydney or Melbourne are around A$18002000, and from Auckland A$2200. A return flight from Christchurch or Wellington will set you back around NZ$3000. Flights with KLM from Cape Town cost around R8600; from Johannesburg, R7300. Indirect flights via London or Frankfurt cost around R8000. from Sydney or Melbourne are around A$18002000, and from Auckland A$2200. A return flight from Christchurch or Wellington will set you back around NZ$3000. Flights with KLM from Cape Town cost around R8600; from Johannesburg, R7300. Indirect flights via London or Frankfurt cost around R8000.
Getting there
By train The simplest and quickest way to travel from the UK to Amsterdam by train train is to take the is to take the Eurostar Eurostar service from London nonstop to Brussels. Trains depart from St Pancras International station (1hr 59min) in central London; and from Ebbsfleet International station (1hr 48min), off Junction 2 of the M25. Trains arrive at Bruxelles-Midi station (Brussel-Zuid in Dutch), from where plenty of fast trains including the service from London nonstop to Brussels. Trains depart from St Pancras International station (1hr 59min) in central London; and from Ebbsfleet International station (1hr 48min), off Junction 2 of the M25. Trains arrive at Bruxelles-Midi station (Brussel-Zuid in Dutch), from where plenty of fast trains including the Thalys Thalys high-speed services ( high-speed services () head on to Amsterdam (around 2hr 30min). The total journey time from London is around six hours, and Eurostar can arrange a through ticket from any point in the UK.
A standard return fare fare to Amsterdam costs around 150, but special deals are commonplace, especially in the low season; and you can also sometimes reduce costs by accepting certain ticket restrictions. Book through Rail Europe or directly through the Eurostar website (for both, see ” to Amsterdam costs around 150, but special deals are commonplace, especially in the low season; and you can also sometimes reduce costs by accepting certain ticket restrictions. Book through Rail Europe or directly through the Eurostar website (for both, see ”Rail contacts”).
The Dutch Railways website (pulsory on overnight sailings. Tickets are available from National Express East Anglia trains or you can book online with Stena.
Getting there
By bus Travelling by long long-distance bus is generally the cheapest way of reaching Amsterdam from the UK, but it is very time-consuming: the journey from London to Amsterdam takes twelve hours or more. is generally the cheapest way of reaching Amsterdam from the UK, but it is very time-consuming: the journey from London to Amsterdam takes twelve hours or more. Eurolines Eurolines operates four services daily (8am, 10am, 8pm & 10pm) from London to Amsterdam, all using Eurotunnel. A standard fare is 56 return (under-26s and over-60s pay 53) though promotional return fares can be snapped up for much less. operates four services daily (8am, 10am, 8pm & 10pm) from London to Amsterdam, all using Eurotunnel. A standard fare is 56 return (under-26s and over-60s pay 53) though promotional return fares can be snapped up for much less.
Getting there
By car To reach Amsterdam by car or motorbike by car or motorbike, you can either take a ferry, or preferable for its ha.s.sle-free crossing use Euro-tunnel Euro-tunnel's shuttle-train through the Channel Tunnel Channel Tunnel. Note that Eurotunnel only carries cars (including occupants) and motorbikes, not cyclists or foot pa.s.sengers. Amsterdam is roughly 370km from the Eurotunnel exit in Calais.
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