Your
trip to Amsterdam will start here as you come out from Central Station. There are
trams and buses everywhere, Tip 2- pick up a tram/bus map from the station.
Straight
ahead from Central Station is Damrak leading to Dam Square, the main area of
Amsterdam. It's about a 10 minute walk past shops and bars.
Dam
Square itself is a little over-rated, as there's little there !! On your left will be the
unimpressive National Monument.
On
your right will be Paleis Straat, the Royal Palace. Tip 3- Heading into the right of
this photo will take you down Nielwendijk, the main shopping street. To the left of
this photo is Kalverstraat where you will find more good shops and bars.
Tip
4- When in Amsterdam, a boat trip is a must. Forget the boats by Central Station as
they are pricey. On Damrak is where we found the cheapest boats, about £3.50 for an
hour trip.
During
your boat trip you'll come across the Town Hall, seen here ... yawn !!
Heading
down Damstraat from Dam Square is a good move as it's fairly interesting. You should
eventually come across Rembrant Corner, where his house is.
Tip
5 - You can use tram 21 to get around the main tourist attractions, but be warned it's
like entering the Twilight Zone, and you can be on it for ages. Also beware that it
doesn't go in a loop despite claims...it heads back after reaching Central Station.
It will however take you to Van Gogh museum, the flower and flea markets - we gave the Van
Gogh a miss, but the 2 markets are worth a browse. Tram 21 will eventually get you to the
Anne Frank Museum (see photo).
Tip
6 - For me, the Anne Frank Museum is the most interesting sight in Amsterdam, and very
moving to the point of making me cry. This shows the entrance to the secret
annex. The most disturbing thing maybe is that the small statue seen above is often
vandalized by Neo-nazis denying the Holocaust....ignorance at it's best !!!!!!
Hardly
steeped in history, but definitely worth a visit is the Heineken Experience. You pay
around £3, and get 3 beers and a glass, so it's good value. Use either tram 24 or
25, DON'T walk - it's bloody miles !!
Eating
Out - You will almost certainly end up buying food from one of these. It's
basically a walk in hot food vending machine, and some of the food is really nice (and
cheap!). This one can be found on
Nielwendijk, next to great pizza place you read about at pizzandgarlicbread.com
One place I can recommend for a more
sophisticated evening out is the Luden Restaurant. Use tram 1,2 or 5 to Spui, an go
about 50m down Spuistraat, and it's on your left.
