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The garden remains open from the last week of March to middle of the May month. Tulips bed is one of the most popular attractions of this park and it is best enjoyed between mid April to mid May of the year. Those are planning to book their holiday packages for Netherlands should opt for summer travel packages to enjoy the floral wonder of the place.
The garden was inaugurated by the Mayor of Lisse City and the prime idea behind creating this garden was to create a flower hub where all flowers from Netherlands and Europe could be displayed with their hybrid varieties. The commercial motive behind creating this huge garden is to arrange extended provision for best quality flower export. Since last 40 years the flower garden is accredited as the largest flower garden of European region and major hub of flower export. For Holiday specials package of Netherlands online, enquiries should be generated at least before 3-4 months of the opted tour.

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In holiday packages for Holland, a traveler must treat Alkmaar as one of the must see attractions. Tradition is the key element of Alkmaar excursion; there are plenty of historical monuments and museums in this city. Grote St Laurens Church, antic courtyards, canals, and facades create an antique but romantic ambience in the city. Most popular museums are Beatles Museum, Holland Cheese Museum, National Beer Museum “De Boom”, Dutch Oven Museum, and City Museum Alkmaar. These museums are known for their exclusive themes, vividness of presentations and that’s why deserve special mention. For cheap holiday deals in Netherlands, a traveler may choose for wintry season, where he can enjoy good discount on air fare, hotel deals and tour package.

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With beautiful sea resorts, beaches and natural beauty form just one aspect of the country, the history and the heritage sites retell the historical phases. Chalking an itinerary in the country is, in fact, difficult, given the innumerable places that the country offers to its travellers. However, an attempt can be made to provide the places that should not be missed while travelling in the country.

The Keukenhof Gardens: Epitome of friendly ties between Japan and Netherlands for the past 400 years, this garden brings home the splendid and magnificent beauty of tulips that grow abundantly in the country. A visit during the spring season can take you to a completely different world of flower. The Zomerhof or the Summer Garden is an exhibition that is held in the garden and is being visited by flower lovers from across the world. During the autumn, the Keukenhof Gardens hosts a flower bulb market, which is known for its variety of floral display.
The Burger’s Zoo: Spread across 18 hectares of land, this zoo is not just famous for its immensity but also for its rich habitat, which includes 3000 animals-all maintained in their respective ecological surrounding. Approximately 1.5 hectares of land has been converted to jungle; apart from which there is a mangrove hall, deserts comprising flatlands, canyons, mangrove hall, rocky masses, dry riverbeds and oasis. Some of the species that can be found here include giraffes, zebras, antelopes, rhinoceroses, and a number of African bird species. The 100-year old cacti is a show stopper as visitors flock in to see it. The underwater world is amazing and provides an insight into the coral world.
Anne Frank’s House: History through a young girl’s life has awestruck the world for several years. This place is the exact witness of the Anne’s last days during the World War II and her diary says it all. The in-house museum houses the original diary by the young girl.

The Kröller-Müller Museum: One of the world’s largest fine art museums, it is known for its unique collection of paintings and sculpture by some of the most famous artists of the 19th and the 20th century. With over 278 masterpieces by Van Gogh and other collections of Mondrian and Picasso, the museum is window to the rich cultural heritage of the country. The back of the museum has Europe’s largest sculpture garden, spanning over 21 hectares.
A holiday in Netherlands would bring you home some fond memories of the place. Book vacation travel deals to Netherlands and live life the Netherlandish way.

Science Centre NEMO: One of the major things to do in Amsterdam for children this science center houses a lot of science and technology museums. The boat-shaped building itself is quite interesting for kids. Learning can be fun for your kid when you take him or her to the NEMO Science Centre.

Water Bikes: If you have visited Amsterdam to spend your summer holidays with your family, your kids should not miss water bike ride. They will enjoy pedaling the water bikes (a special type of boat). Water boats can be enjoyed in sunny weather. Even if it rains your child can enjoy the ride because most of the boats come with covers.

De Hollandsche Manege: Is your child a horse lover? Then a visit the Royal Riding School located at the Overtoom is a must for your child. While your child enjoys riding pony you can take a look at the 19th century architecture.

Canal Boat Trip: Kids always enjoy boat trips. Especially if it is through canals, the fun will be doubled. The canal boat trip will give your child an opportunity not only to enjoy a trip through the canals but also explore the harbor of Amsterdam.

Westertoren Climbing: Don’t you want your child to get the best view of Amsterdam? Then encourage him or her to climb to the top of the Westertoren. Reaching the summit will offer a marvelous view of the city.

Artis Zoo: Zoo is a place each and every child loves to visit. When you are in Amsterdam you can take your child to the Artis Zoo. Reaching the zoo itself can be a memorable experience if you take the Artis Zoo Express. This boat ride starts from the Central Railway Station and ends at the zoo. Other than watching animals your kids can also enjoy playing outdoor games in the playgrounds.

Hortus: This is one of the oldest botanical garden of Amsterdam. It houses 7 greenhouses, a palm greenhouse and an outdoor garden that features classical design.

Pancake Boat: This is another popular children’s attraction in Amsterdam. It is a three hour cruise. During this cruise a Pancake Boat will take your child along the Amsterdam Port. The boat will come across the IL Lake and the Central Station of Amsterdam and end at the Entrepot Harbour.

Get your skates on
Fans of roller-skating or rollerblading and wishing you could get around quickly on your holiday? Choose a skate tour and strap on your skates for a fast paced holiday designed to give you exactly what you’re looking for. Check out Skate-A-Round for tours everywhere from Paris to Barcelona or Amsterdam. Flights to Amsterdam and Paris are available from most European airports and even many international ones, for those flying in from abroad. Or, if you’d rather be enjoying some Californian sun, have a look at the skating holidays across America offered by Zephyr Adventures.

Stretch you skydiving skills
Unforgettable sights and extreme shots of adrenaline, there’s nothing like a skydiving holiday in an exotic location to brighten up your holiday snaps. Choose a traditional parachuting trip, sky dive off impressive monuments or simply get to grips with the sport in an empty field somewhere secluded, there are skydiving holidays ideal whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or you’re looking forward to your first jump.

Go on Pizza Tour
Love pizza? Love NY? Why not combine the two and take a pizza tour of Manhattan? New York has several pizza tours of the city which take you around the best restaurants and pizzerias, as well as taking in a few sights along the way. While you may not book a flight to New York just eat to pizza (or you might, you never know) there’s definitely more than enough other activities to keep you busy in the Big Apple for the rest of your stay. There are also pizza tours in Chicago if you fancy trying out another city as well.

Paint a masterpiece
Choose a break designed to unleash your creative side with painting holidays in some of the world’s most scenic spots. Find out about painting holidays in Tuscany and Umbria from Artist In Italy or try your hand at art in a variety of lovely settings by searching for holidays with a company like Authentic Adventures. There are painting holidays based at all levels of experience, so you’re sure to find one to suit whether you’re an old pro or a complete novice.

Practice your paintball aim
A perfect holiday choice for a group, paintballing breaks are a great way to work as a team – or to settle old scores between friends! From Poland to Wales or Canada, you’ll find there are paintballing package holidays available in a variety of locations, just be sure to be ready and prepared for an active break where things can get a little messy.

Try a snowmobile safari
Swap sand for snow and have a go at a safari with a chillier edge. Explore the snowy hills of Lapland or Alaska on a holiday packed with chilly treats and turn your hand to driving a snowmobile, the perfect way to enjoy the snowy scenery you’ll be speeding past. Get ready for adventure, book cheap flights, find hotels nearby and get in touch with local tour operators for good deals on a snow-bound safari.

James writes for cheap flights comparison site Skyscanner.net. For more information about Skyscanner, check out Skyscanner’s profile on Crunchbase.

Most Amsterdam canals were built in the seventeenth century for transportation as well as defense but today with the advent of automobiles most canals have been filled up to built roads for automobiles however, the city of Amsterdam can still boast of 165 canals which have been preserved as historical heritage. Vacation travel deals often include canal cruise on their list of attractions.

There are a variety of canal cruises available that one can choose from. In the seventeenth century cruises were treats for the royalty like Queen Elizabeth Stuart. One does not have to be a royalty today to experience a royal treatment during an Amsterdam canal cruise.  One can simply hire a salon boat for an evening of luxury; however salon boat is not an option for those who are on a budget trip. Salon boats are perfect if you are trying to impress someone or for a romantic evening. Canal cruises on a budget are also available. Canal cruising with Captain Paap in his environment friendly boat can be an amazing and unique experience as well.

Dinner canal cruises in Amsterdam can be great for a romantic night as well as a night spent with the family. A popular dinner cruise in Amsterdam offers a four course dinner along with drinks and beverages and one can view many sights of Amsterdam like the Anne Frank house, Skinny Bridge, Mint Tower amongst other attractions. The tour usually lasts two and a half hour but it’s an evening one rarely forgets. It is best to book one’s seat in dinner cruises at least a day in advance.

Since Amsterdam has a large number of canals covering a large area, there is more than one route that can be picked. The most popular canal cruise route is through the old centre of Amsterdam. Canal tours can be one hour or one day. The cruise passes through some of the most beautiful parts of Old Amsterdam as well as Holland. One can see mansions of old merchants, warehouses and churches during the cruise. The cruise through the city usually lasts an hour or an hour and a half.

Cheap holiday deals often include canal bus tours, a canal combo tour often includes passes to museums and one can hop off the canal visit a museum and hop back on the canal bus. Canal bus all day combo tickets are perfect for those who are time pressed as with these tickets one can get into museums without wasting time waiting in line. These tours usually cover all major museums.

Amsterdam was one of the few major cities of Europe that did not face any bombing during the Second World War as a result a lot of early architecture as well as the street pattern remains unchanged. One can still find buildings that were built during the middle ages in the city including the old city centre of Amsterdam.

The Canal Ring in Amsterdam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the hippest districts in Amsterdam today, it houses many high-end boutiques.  The Canal Ring is a series of concentric canals which were built during the seventeenth century. The bridges on the canal are also very beautiful; a mention must be made of Magere Brug also known as the skinny bridge. It is the prettiest bridge in Amsterdam and is even more beautiful during the night when it is aesthetically illuminated. There are canal tours available in Amsterdam for those interested in canals as well as canal houses. Canal cruises have fixed starting and ending points and one cannot always get off anywhere they wish.

One can also find a lot of religious buildings like churches of different Christian factions as well as synagogues as Amsterdam has always been tolerant towards different religions. The Esnoga, a synagogue built in the Portuguese tradition is one of the most prominent synagogues of Amsterdam. It was built in the later seventeenth century in pure classic tradition. Majority of the Dutch people are Protestants as a result one can find some beautiful Protestant Churches like Nieuwe Kerk, Oude Kerk among many more.

Amsterdam is home to some of the most interesting museums in the world like the Anne Frank House as the name suggests it is dedicated to the memory of Anne Frank. The Rijksmuseum houses a large and impressive collection of paintings including many paintings by Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer. The most famous museum in Amsterdam without a doubt is the Van Gogh Museum. One does not need to have a lot of knowledge in art to know about Van Gogh. Van Gogh, the post-impressionist painter had a major influence on twentieth century art and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam houses the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings. The Van Gogh museum alone can take a day to explore. Museums in Amsterdam are usually quite crowded during the summer so it would be best to go early in the morning to avoid large crowds.

The Art Hotel Amsterdam is a 3 star hotel that is located right smack at the gates of the historic center. Getting to and from the hotel is easy since you can have a five minute drive from the A10 motorway, and just a twenty minute drive to the Amsterdam airport. Even though this is only a middle class hotel, it at least features an outdoor swimming pool and even a private parking garage for their guests’ convenience.

If you don’t feel like roaming around the city or any of the surrounding area, then you would find it convenient to have a variety of expositions on display which anyone can take a glimpse on. You can enjoy eating your meals at their own restaurant and café that is decorated with interesting artwork. They also have their own bar where locals and guests can unwind after hours at their terrace.

Comfort is what they aim for with their 130 guest rooms that are designed in modern taste and style that has the addition of pool views. These guestrooms have their own Wi-Fi access, air conditioning, artworks dotted above you bed or bathrooms, your own coffee and tea making facilities, complimentary toiletries and hair dryer, multi line phones and safes, television with pay movies, and of course housekeeping to tidy up your rooms each day.

Guests should take note that the Art Hotel Amsterdam is a smoke free hotel. Location wise and accommodation wise, there is nothing negative to say about this hotel. But of course, you need to see it to find out. So next time you’re planning on a trip to Amsterdam, this is one place you need to keep your eye on.

The Eden Hotel Amsterdam is located in the very center of Amsterdam which is definitely a good place to enjoy may it be wining and dining all over the town, located in the very heart of Amsterdam, right between the Amstel River and the Rembrandtplein, a few minutes’ walk to the floating flower market, museums, bars and restaurants and some local street musicians that will entice you. Romance your way in the ambiance of what the city can offer you and especially where the hotel is exactly is. May it be for vacation, honeymoon or a simple getaway with your love one, this hotel can make it worth your while.

This hotel just exudes an atmosphere that is cozy and romantic for those visitors and guest who seek that. The hotel has 218 rooms that are very modern and chic that includes your own television, hair dryer, movie and information channels, telephone and your own safe.

If you’re not in the mood to go out and about in the city for a meal, then you will definitely be thankful for the Garden of Eden which gives you a spectacular view of the Amstel River while you dine on light snacks, coffee or tea and even a variety of pastries. Having it open from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm, you can get a light brunch or lunch if you feel like it before heading out in the city.

Whether if you really are in a honeymoon, or just for a leisure vacation, the Eden Hotel Amsterdam is one place that you need to be, may it be location wise, the overall ambiance, the splendid staff and the welcoming atmosphere. Overall, this hotel is one of the best spots to be in while you’re in Amsterdam.

Perfectly situated opposite the Zoo Artis, the hotel is convenient to the most needed go-to places. The important shopping streets, museums, restaurants and night spots is all near the hotel so there is no excuse that you won’t enjoy the entire your stay.

The Eden Lancaster Hotel is actually a monumental building that is 100 years old. It has ninety two rooms that are of course beautifully designed and most importantly comfortable to each guest with certain facilities that are of need like the flat screen television set with movie and demand system, desk with telephone and high speed internet connection, your own private bath with shower and even hairdryer, and your own safe. Aside from the lavish rooms, you will certainly feel at home from the pleasant lobby to the restaurant that serves international breakfast buffet, and they also have an internet corner with free Wi-Fi use.

Although you might not stay in your hotel rooms your entire stay since you will be enjoying what Amsterdam has to offer you, it is definitely a plus to go back into a room that gives you comfort and utter relaxation even in the heart if the busy city. The Eden Lancaster Hotel speaks of quality and service to their guests and has continued on doing so for more than several number of years. On your next visit to Amsterdam, please make sure to take note of this wonderful hotel and experience a good vacation soon.

Now that we have whetted your travel appetite to visit Rotterdam, one of the best places to stay in which is actually located in the heart of Rotterdam, the Inntel Hotels Rotterdam Centre is situated at the foot of the Erasmus Bridge. This modern designed hotel has bedrooms which are fully air conditioned and modernly designed that also gives you a view of Mass River. The good thing about this hotel is that you get to have access on their fine and complete amenities, such as the H2O Wellness Club with swimming pool, the finish Panorama Sauna, Turkish steam bath and the Life Fitness Gym. Since the internet is the most needed modern add on in life now, they have free internet corner and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

With the unique design and location of the Inntel Hotels Rotterdam Centre it has been favored by a lot of tourists and travelers may it be for business or pleasure. The location itself is very convenient to a lot of people since a metro station and tram stop are just in front of the hotel itself. Food will never be an issue at the Inntel Hotels Rotterdam Centre since you will have scrumptious breakfast buffet in their own restaurant the ‘Aan het Water’ which overlooks the waterfront. They also have their own bar and brasserie that you can linger on capturing breathtaking views of Rotterdam. Enjoy it by yourself or with colleagues and friends and surely you can cap off the night well with this to end your evening.

Surrounding the Inntel Hotels Rotterdam Centre are interesting Rotterdam attractions that would complete your stay. From the maritime museum , museums, art halls, and the Euromast tower, have it within walking distance from the hotel and surely you can have a wonderful stay and a guaranteed complete with everything that Rotterdam can offer you.

One of the exciting things you can find in Amsterdam is the widely use of bicycles which can fun when you’re touring around the city. This is somewhat a preserved culture for the Dutch people. Most locales in Netherlands have a bicycle in their garage, which is why you can cut short on budget to Amsterdam when traveling, for you get to save on your transportation cost by just renting a bike and use it to tour around. A Canal bus tour would be nice for a tourist to experience the city’s exquisite sites like their Broadway Theatre and canal views of the city. A boat travel can also be one of the best city tour excursions when you opt to go sight seeing in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam also has rich taste in sports which features the one of the biggest soccer club in Europe football which is AFC Ajax. Soccer considered as number one sport in the world. Dutch are fond of watching and playing soccer. Tennis and volleyball are also popular in Netherlands. If you are inclined in musical genre such as broadway shows and ballet, it is best spend on a budget to Amsterdam travel for it host a full datebook of musical shows, pop and jazz. Theater and world class opera are also fun to watch in Amsterdam. A city full of colors and excitement you don’t want to miss.

Things to consider why we should put Amsterdam on our budget list for travel leisure for we can do many things such as jogging around the city to see its beautiful scenery and many parks to choose from for Amsterdam has many beautiful parks. Cycling and bicycle riding also is fun. Museum tours would match your Amsterdam experience. A boat riding experience could be a romantic ambience for lovely tourist couples. Accomodation not even a problem on a budget to Amsterdam for there many exquisite cheap hostels which are open for 24 hours a day. So curfew in this city is not a problem. You don’t have to worry about locations for it is GPS site.You won’t get lost and very easy access place. So touring around Amsterdam could be much more fun. Try also coffee shops for they can help you relax and unwind for a little bit.

Best Time to visit:

If you have a sound budget, you can make a trip in peak season, but if a fixed amount restricts your budget, then definitely go in the off seasons which will make you enjoy and allow seeing all famous tourists places very peacefully and affordable. The low down season to visit Amsterdam is between late October and early March.

Best Places to visit:

Anne Frank House:

Anne Frank House is known as the hiding place for Anne Frank and her family while escaping Nazis. It is a historical place where she wrote her diary and stayed for two years. It is worth seeing.

Canal Cruises:

This is a gateway to enter in the city which can be explored initially. Numerous canal cruises are available at affordable prices. If you are interested to visit all important sights in Amsterdam, the best way is to hire a regular cruise which offers a taste of Amsterdam drink. In evenings, small cruises can also be hired just to take a small ride.

Van Gogh Museum:

Vincent Van Gogh was the renowned Amsterdam painter who has been honored by inaugurating Van Gogh Museum. It holds the beautiful combinations of his unique artistic marvels.

Red Light District:

This is the one of the old areas in Amsterdam where tourists like to visit for parties and late nights. It is safe and lively, contrary to the red light areas spread across the globe. There are many cheap bars and hotels where you can grab the drink.

Groningen, located in the northern part of Netherlands, has a rich and colorful history that goes a long way back. In fact, the oldest archeological findings in this place date back to the third century BC. Today, Groningen is the capital of the province of Groningen. It is a place with many faces. For the locales, Groningen, in the first place, is a student-city. It has a famous university, another university dedicated to applied sciences, a school for fine art and design, an academy of music and many more training institutes. The 400-year-old University of Groningen is one of the largest and oldest in the country as well as in the world. But it’s the rich history of the place alive in the historical buildings, courtyards and certainly in ‘Uncle Loek’s Horse’. One of the world’s largest natural gas fields is located in this region. It has a largely flat terrain and agriculture is the main occupation. The city’s love for sports reflects through the popular soccer club FC Groningen and the fact that Groningen has been chosen as ‘world’s best bicycling city’.

Best Time to Visit

Summer is the best time to visit Groningen. The average temperature during this time is 24°C with occasional very hot days. Snowfall is pretty common in winter. Rain here occurs in the form of light showers throughout the year.

Places to Visit

Groningen has a glorious past history of more than 5,000 years. Today the city is known as an important commercial and industrial centre in the country, a city with varied opportunities for living, working, shopping and relaxing. This amalgamation of a golden past and a prosperous present draws thousands of visitors to this region each year. Groningen also enjoys a leading edge in the fields like development of research, innovation and entrepreneurship. In a nutshell, Groningen is a real ‘City of Talent’.

The Groninger Museum

Designed by the famous Italian architect Mendini, the Groninger Museum is one of the must-see spots in this region. Surrounded by water, it looks like a sea-going vessel that accidentally ended up in the city canal. It bears the finest example of the modern architecture in Groningen. You can enjoy a lot of exhibitions from several artists here. But these exhibitions change regularly. It is very difficult to say what is exposed in the museum because it changes regularly. When you are in Groningen just see for yourself. The more than 100 years old library of the Groninger Museum gives an answer to many questions. You will find literature on all collections of the museum; Ancient and Modern Fine Art, Archeology & Regional History and Applied Art are only a few to name.

The Wall House

The Wall House or the Bye House manifests itself as an autonomous, sculptural object. Originally designed in 1973 for Ed Bye, in Ridgefield, Connecticut USA, it only existed as a concept for a long time until Groningen decided to actually build the house. A striking concrete wall is the basis of the structure. It draws a line between the service spaces and the living spaces that are stacked one above the other in three organic volumes. You will find the bedroom downstairs, on the second floor there is the kitchen and dining area and the living room is on the top floor, each with a framed view of the lake.

The Martini Church and Tower

The Martini tower is one of the most well known monuments in Groningen. With a height of 97 meters, you can never miss this tower once you visit this town; that’s for sure. Statistically, it is third highest tower of The Netherlands and still dominating the Groningen skyline for more than 500 years. You can also climb up the tower up to the second gallery. The top of the tower offers a magnificent view of the city. Make sure you also visit Martini Church, the largest church in Groningen. Established around 1230, the church includes frescos from the 13th century.

Prinsenhof en Prinsentuin

Prinsenhof en Prinsentuin is another fine example of Groningen architecture. The place was originally used as a monastery. In recent years, the Prinsenhof is home to the channel called Radio/TV Noord. They moved a short while ago and the authorities are looking for a suitable function for this complex.
Right behind the Prinsenhof, there is the Prinsenhoftuin or the Prince’s Court Garden. The garden includes a rose garden and herb garden along with a footpath covered with foliage. The garden is surrounded by a wall and is one of the best available specimens of a Renaissance Garden in the Netherlands.

The Dutch Comic strip Museum

If you are a lover of comic books, you must visit the Het Nederlands Stripmuseum or the Dutch Comic Museum. The Dutch Comic Museum in Groningen is home to the works of renowned cartoonists. Virtual reality setups here will allow visitors to experience the adventures of the comic heroes and enable them to create simple animated cartoons. It’s the key attraction for the children. Here you make a journey through time, from the favorite comic characters of the yester years to the most recent comic figure. The Dutch Groningen Strip introduces you to famous Dutch comic heroes like Eric the Norseman, Agent 327 and Ollie B. Bommel.

Groningen offers a lot more. Shopping in Groningen means tantalizing fun. The city has diversity and small-scale shops, including numerous design shops with the latest trends and novel accessories. It also has ample opportunity for entertainment. There are no less than 160 pubs and discotheques with dozens of outdoor cafés in the city centre. No matter you are on a business tour or personal holiday, travelling alone or with family, Groningen has always something for you to see, hear, or do.

The Amsterdam museums are home to vast artistic wonders and historic treasures and very tourist should try to visit at least a few of them. They are among the prime tourist attractions. There are more than fifty museums in Amsterdam and they attract millions of visitors each year. With a varied range of museums dedicated to art, film, press, sex, torture, science and technology or kids, Amsterdam is sure quench everybody’s thirst. During the colder months in Amsterdam, visitors are likely to spend more time indoors and museums are the best places to go. But long queues for ticket outside these museums can be boring, particularly in weekends and summer. Buying a ticket online from the museums’ respective website would be a smart move. According to some reports, even where there is no need to buy a ticket, tourists still may have to wait long if they have a free access card like “Museumkaart” or “Iamsterdam Card”. Almost all museums expect ‘Anna Frank House’ accept these cards.

The Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is located at Paulus Potterstraat 7 and it is right next to the Rijksmuseum. This museum gives a tough competition to Rijksmuseum as the most significant museum of Amsterdam, if not of Netherlands. This museum owns nearly 260 original paintings of Van Gogh and a large number of these works is donated by Theo Van Gogh, the younger brother of the great painter. Van Gogh was influenced by different art genre and the museum holds sample of them all. His works influenced by ‘Expressionism’, ‘Post-impressionism’ and other genres are all present here. One of his famous early works, ‘Potato Eaters’, can be seen in this museum. Here you can also find the paintings created during the last few days of his life when he went insane and started using more and more dots in the primary colors of blue, red and yellow. Along with Van Gogh, the museum also exhibits works of some of the greatest impressionist painters like Jozef Israëls, Paul Gauguin, Maurice Denis and Claude Monet. The visitors can book tickets online to visit this museum.

The Rijksmuseum

If you want to know about the culture and history of Netherlands, a visit to The Rijksmuseum, the national museum of Netherlands is a must. The museum exhibits the famous 17th century paintings by the “Dutch Masters”, Rembrandt, Jan Steen and Vermeer, along with a few exhibits from the 16th and 18^th century artworks. The museum is going through a massive renovation process and the museum, therefore, is partly opened these days. But all the highlights of the museum are exhibited in a very sophisticated manner. The Rijksmuseum exhibits 20 artworks by Rembrandt, which includes famous works like ‘The Jewish Bride’ and ‘The Night Watch’. The museum also showcases Vermeer’s finest paintings like ‘The Love Letter’ and ‘The Kitchen Maid’. There are 4 paintings of Vermeer in this museum. You will find great creations of other painters on the display like Frans Hals’ ‘The Merry Drinker’ or Ferdinand Bol’s ‘Portrait of Elizabeth Bas’. Silverware, furniture and paintings from 17th century artists are also in display here. The museum is open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. on Fridays.

Anne Frank House

With nearly a million visitors each year, Anne Frank House is one of Netherlands most popular museums. Located at Prinsengracht in Amsterdam, the museum is dedicated to Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who maintained a diary when she along with her family hid from Nazi persecution. This is the house where Anne wrote her famous diary which is on permanent display in this house. There are temporary exhibitions on Anti-Semitism, Anti-Racism that caused greatest tragedies to the human race. Waiting behind long queues are almost confirm while visiting this museum. Tourists should buy online tickets or need to go early. This museum doesn’t accept the ‘Museumkaart’ or ‘Iamsterdam Card’.

Sex Museum (Venustempel)

One of the most exciting museums in Netherlands is surely the “Venustempel” or the Sex Museum in Amsterdam. Founded in 1985, it is the first and oldest museum of this kind on earth. Located at the Damrak, this museum offers some food for thought and is rather serious in approach than the Erotic Museum in the Red Light District. Based on the theme of love, the museum exhibits a huge collection of erotic paintings, pictures, objects, photographs, recordings and even attractions. The exhibits are gathered personally by the owners of the museum. The collections are displayed in two separate houses; one on the back of the building and one on the front, both connected by a specially designed stairwell. Tourists need to be at least 16 years of age. The museum is open every day from 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 p.m.

by Miek37

Rotterdam is the second largest city in Netherlands . It is one of the most significant port cities in the Netherlands. Trading activities carried out in Rotterdam is the highest in the world and the city boasts of an enormous industrial sector. Chief among these industries are shipbuilding and engineering. Today’s Rotterdam presents the scenario of a hugely modern and developing city with little remains of the past since it was destroyed in the air bombings during WWII.

Rotterdam is comparably cheaper than Amsterdam and provides accommodation options to tourists with varied interests. There are separate hotels both for business and pleasure lovers. While persons having cheaper budgets may rent rooms with two star hotels, those looking for luxury can opt for the five or four-star options. However, all of them are well maintained and very clean. One may board flights for Rotterdam from any of the major cities in the U.S. or in Europe or else travel by car from any of the European cities. Buses, Metro, trams, taxis, water-taxis and tuk-tuks carry you to all places within the city.

Sightseeing musts include the Euromast Tower; the tallest lookout tower in the country, mesmerizing Blijdorp Rotterdam Zoo that can bring you face to face with sharks underwater, historical tours aboard the tram has an old-world charm of its own. Besides you can have fun adventures in the cube Houses or while gliding through the wild rivers in the Tropicana. The wonderful architecture and displays within the Stadium Feyenoord can astound one. For the star-struck visitor a visit to the Walk of Fame can be a fulfilling experience. Another technological marvel within Amsterdam is the Maeslant Storm Barrier that protects Rotterdam from floods. Kids will surely have a field day in the Plaswijck Park that guarantees unadulterated fun on water-rides and a visit to the zoo.

Like any other city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam too boasts of its many wonderful museums. The Boijmans-Van Beuingenn and the maritime Museum should not be missed. The highlife of Rotterdam ensures that the city provides with the best and luxurious shopping markets in the world. The City Center, Alexandrium and the Zuidplein Mall are its major shopping destinations. Rotterdam also provides visitors with a unique view of the old windmills with which Netherlands is synonymous and the best place to view them is the Delfshaven historical center. The best modern attraction in Rotterdam however is its unrivalled master architecture. Montevideo, the main theater complex, the longest cable-stayed bridge, the exhibition center all stand proof to the marvels of modern technology and architecture.

Amsterdam, the capital of Netherlands, can undoubtedly be called a ‘visitor’s paradise’ as it offers amazing touring options to tourists of varied interests. The city has its origins as a fishing village as early as the 12th century and has ever since never stopped expanding or developing. Its rich cultural heritage and historical background lends it a special charm, which remains quite unparalleled even today. The concentric canals have highlighted the city’s aesthetics and made it synonymous with the beauty of Venice. The tolerance and diversity of practices and culture combined with easy accommodation and transportation makes Amsterdam one of the most-toured cities in the world.

The name Amsterdam inevitably reminds one of art galleries and famous museums and so obviously, these are the main tourist attractions in the city. Chief among these museums are the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum. The Golden Age paintings, modern art, film photography is sure to mesmerize all art lovers. Some fun adventures can be enjoyed in the Heineken, Ajax or the Houseboat Museum. Sex, Erotic, Hash or Torture Museums give tourists an insightful view into the heinous torture methods used in olden days and the location of these museums at the heart of the red light area allows for the ideal ambience to be created while enjoying erotic artworks. Be it history, lifestyle, art or science, Amsterdam has museums dedicated to all fields of human life. The best gift for children however is the NEMO, a futuristic science center where kids can touch and experiment with the gadgets on display. Amsterdam has dedicated separate museums to two of its greatest masters; Vincent Van Gogh and Rembrandt and these are a must visit. Apart from these one should definitely pay a visit to the Anne frank House where the highly popular diary was written during the torture days of the WWII.

There are innumerable activities to pursue in Amsterdam apart from visiting historical sites. One can take up canal rides or boat rides and explore the city across the waters. The more adventurous sort may find fun in exploring on bicycles, a trip to the tulip gardens in the countryside on bicycles can be a marvelous experience. Shopping in Amsterdam can be a unique experience with floating flower markets; the Nine Streets, the Haarlemmerdijk and the Beethovenstraat are some of the major shopping addresses in Amsterdam. Casinos, gay bars, pubs, clubs to live music, Amsterdam offers something for all. Therefore, it is only fair that visitors should enjoy here to the fullest.