Amsterdam Package Vacations

Why Bother?

"Don't worry about finding Amsterdam Package Vacations?" Remember you are becoming your own European Vacation Planner.Amsterdam is a fantastic city! I've traveled to Amsterdam at least a dozen times and I know the city intimately. Discover it for yourself and create your own itinary. Whether you want to find out about Anne Frank's childhood or have a romantic dinner cruise the secret is to take control of your own trip. Amsterdam package vacations that are created by tour companies are not trustworthy, you can never be sure what you are going to get. I will give you information based on experienece, which will give you some level of comfort.

The reason I like it so much is because of it's size and layout. The city is divided into zones and no matter where you want to go you can walk. The hub of the city is Centraal Station, from this location you can make your way to all of the important attractions easily. I'm getting a little ahead of myself right now. Let's start at the beginning

ATTRACTIONS

MUSEUMS

SQUARES

MAPS

WEATHER

Most likely you have arrived in Amsterdam at Schipol airport. This is one of the worlds great airports. Schipol is large but not overwhelming and traveling from gate to gate is made easy by conveyor belts. Once you have gone through customs and have picked up you bags you'll need to get to your hotel or to the city. Trains leave for Amsterdam's Centraal station every 15 min and are very reliable. KLM also offers a hotel shuttle bus that brings you to the different sections of the city which will put you in walking distance to your hotel. You could take a Taxi but I would ask "Why?" It's a waste of money.

Your trip is going to give you freedom you would not be able have if you had decided to look at Amsterdam package vacations. I would suggest finding a hotel that is centrally located to give you access to the city center. The Leidseplein which is located close to the outer ring is a beautiful area and within walking distance to all the sites. Check out my walking tour map . A trip along the red line will get you to all the sites.

Amsterdam Walking Tour

You can start your walking tour anywhere but to make it easier for you I will start at Centraal Station. Centraal station is a woderful example of a European train station at the heart of the city. If you stand directly in front of the station you look directly up Damrak street, this is the main road from the station to Dam square. As you walk up the street you will notice the bulk of the canal cruise operators on your left. If a cruise is in your plans why not stop by and talk to one of the captains, if you are with a large group you should be able to talk them down in price. Generally they are quite reasonably priced(8 to 13 euros).

After your cruise continue up the Damrak and take a look to the left, this is the beginning of Amsterdam's red light district . You'll notice a bar called the Grasshopper located near the docks, this is the usaully starting point for a tour of the district. Don't bother going during the day because it has little to offer except sex shops and tourist traps. The action starts at night from around 21:00 to midnight. I don't recommend staying there after midnight because it tends to get a little more dangerous. It is full of tourists during primetime and is pretty safe. Many tourists take in a live sex show just to satisfy their curiosity.

Ok let's continue up the Damrak and make are way to Dam Square. Dam square is the hub of the city and you can look in all directions at the streets that meet at the Dam. Remeber it's almost impossible to get lost in Amsterdam because the streets are cresent shape and you always end up back at Centraal Station. In Dam Square you will find the National monument, The Nieuwekerk(New Church) and the old Royal Palace as well as more modern attractions such as Madame Toussouds. All the way up the Damrak take some side streets they'll bring you to some great shopping streets that run parallel. From Dam Square take Rokin street to Spui street and then to Singel street. This route will take you by the Oude Kerk(old church) take a right on Leidsestraat and head towards the Leidseplein

The Leidseplein is a square surrounded by restaurants and clubs and is a fovorite place for street performers. Enjoy a Heineken at one of the cafe's that surround the square and find a restaurant for dinner. Along the way you will have crossed numerous canals and Amsterdam should be coming alive. It's in the outer areas where you really get a feel for the city. The Leidsplein is also a great place to find a hotel and there are many to choose from. After the Leidsplein just cross one more canal and you will find yourself on Stahouderskade and a short walk to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum.

If you continue down the street you'll make your way to the Heineken where they offer tours and of course beer, lots of it. The last stage of your tour will take you to Anne Frank House. To get there you must make your way down to Prisengracht street and take a left. You'll have a pretty good walk but eventually you'll see it on the right hand side of the road. It has recently been renovated and honestly it has lost some of it's appeal. However, once you are inside you'll learn about Anne Franks life story and really appreciate what this young girl went through during the war. After Anne Frank House you'll make your way back to the Station or to you're hotel. Don't forget the Red Light district at night. The tour can easily be done in a day but if you're not in a rush you could spread it over 2 days.

Forget about Amsterdam package vacations you've done it yourself!!!

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