Tourists who visit Amsterdam and want a tour through the old center, now only have to take the tram. The GVB, the public transport company of Amsterdam, comes with a podcast where the British comedian Adam Fields explains sightseeing’s amongst tram line 4 from the Central Station.
From the Central Station, tram line 4 brings you by some typical Amsterdam locations, like the Rembrandt square, the Utrechtsestraat and the Albert Cuyp market. Previously the GVB already made a podcast for tramline 5, which drives by the popular Museum square.
The podcasts can be downloaded here:
Podcast tram 4: http://www.gvb.nl/overgvb/nieuws/Documents/podcasttram4.mp3
Podcast tram 5 (start at central station): http://www.gvb.nl/overgvb/nieuws/Documents/podcasttram%205-1.mp3
Podcast tram 5 (start direct from the tram):
http://www.gvb.nl/overgvb/nieuws/Documents/podcasttram%205-2.mp3
The Grachtenfestival (Canal Festival) is an annual festival with (classical) music on special locations in the centre of Amsterdam and on the IJ banks. Every year new locations are added. These locations stand out because of special or monumental architecture and cultural and historical value.
The Grachtenfestival makes a special effort to provide a stage for young talent. Also part of this event is the Kindergrachtenfestival, which brings productions for babies, todlers and teenagers. Many of the concerts are free of charge or accessible against a small fee.
The 11th edition of the Grachtenfestival this year takes place from 16-24 August in the city centre and along the IJ-banks. For more information: www.grachtenfestival.nl. Amsterdam accommodation is also available for the festival with Holiday Velvet, who provide holiday rentals for all major events in Amsterdam.
You’re already in Amsterdam and found yourself tired of the tourists, coffee shops and tulips, you might want to consider a day trip out to the quant town of Edam. Famous of world its round red and yellow Edam cheeses, the town is a smaller version of Amsterdam without the hustle and bustle of the urban life. It’s a beautiful town to relax and take in the scenery and if you’re crazy about cheese, you might want to visit the cheese market that’s held every Wednesday in July and August.
Each year, there are 8 morning markets and 1 beautiful enlighten evening market with 
a big flee market. The mornings are held on Wednesdays from 10.30 until 12.30 hours and the evening market is held on a Saturday from 21.00 until 23.00 hours.
With Amsterdam, Hoorn and Enkhuizen, Edam an important commercial town in the Netherlands. Today Edam is a pretty town with authentic 17th century architecture. The squares, monuments and bridges are wonderful to see and if you get tired of the walking, take a drink and one of the tea-houses on the ‘Schepenmakersdijk’. Along with the Carillon tower (1561), the Dam itself and the Great Church (one of the largest churches in the Netherlands), Edam is excellent day out from Amsterdam.
Getting there: Bus number 114 and 116 depart every half-hour or so from Amsterdam Centraal Station. If you’re lucky enough to have a car, you can get there from Amsterdam via Monnickendam and Volendam.
