Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS
Airing Date: Mar 3rd, 2003
It's a city where you can head down a street full of neon, find museums catering to all tastes, travel an extensive network of canals, see some amazing architecture and eat in some of the most bizarre restaurants in the world.
Amsterdam is famous for its canals. Theyre a network of waterways shaped like horseshoes. The canals increase in size as they fan out. The best way to see Amsterdam's canals is to jump on one of the many ferries. They will take you down street-lined canals flanked by beautiful and historic homes.
The city is also famous for its love of the push bike. It may be puzzling to foreign visitors, but for the locals its the most logical means of transport, because Amsterdam was not built for cars. Bike hire is usually very cheap.
A bike is the ideal way to get between the many museums housed in Amsterdam. Theres a museum for just about everything; the famous sex museums, a Torture Museum, and a fine appreciation of art in spots such as the Van Gogh Museum and the Royal Palace.
A bike is also the best way to explore the Albert Cuyp Market. This is the real Amsterdam; all very funky, multicultural and the biggest street market in the city. Its a great spot to pick up cheap clothes and real Dutch food chips. The Dutch claim to have invented the chip.
One of the most famous Dutch exports is Heineken Lager. No visit to Amsterdam would be complete without a visit to the Heineken Brewery, the most popular attraction in town. Among the brewery's attractions is a beer bottle simulator. This perculiar invention is designed to show visitors what it feels like to be a beer bottle. The entry fee includes a few free beers.
Amsterdam is known for its famous cafes. Of the 11,000 cafs in the Netherlands, 1,047 are in Amsterdam. One of the most popular places is a restaurant/bar called Supperclub. Its very futuristic and different from many cafes, selling more than just coffee. A four course meal here will cost upwards of $150 per person.
The facts:
Travelworld offer packages flying Qantas to Hong Kong with
connections on Lufthansa to Amsterdam. Return prices from the east coast start at $2125 and from the west coast $2060.
Travelworld
Tel: 13 14 35
Amsterdams Hotel-of-the-minute is Hotel Arena, where rooms start from $180 a night.
Hotel Arena
Tel: 0011 31 20 850 24 10
World Cars hire cars for $44 a day.
World Cars
Tel: 1300 656 601
Bike hire is around $12 a day.
MacBike
Tel: 0011 31 20 620 09 85
Van Gogh Museum
Tel: 0011 31 20 5705292
Entry to the Heineken Brewery costs $14. Price includes a few free beers.
The Heineken Experience
Tel: 0011 31 1205239435
Amsterdam Tourist Board
Tel: 0011 315512535
Lovers boat company
Tel: 001131 655728118
