See you at the Spring Flower in ShowKeukenhof Gardens?

With spring just around the corner, our minds turn to sunnier and happier things, like eating al fresco, walking in the park and flowers. Amsterdam of course, and all of The Netherlands, is famous for its spectacular displays of tulips, and there is no better place to see them than the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens, located about an hour’s drive from Amsterdam.

This year, the Keukenhof Gardens will hold its annual spring flower show from March 18th to May 16th.  Sixteen pavilions will be set up, with countless displays of spring flowers, arranged in compositions from the classical to the avant-

Flower shows

Flower shows

garde. The Netherland’s national flower will of course prominently feature in all its blooming glory and vivid colours.

Keukenhof Gardens has lots of other things to offer too, and makes a perfect family day out. There are playgrounds and restaurants and you can also take a charming boat ride past the bulb fields. One thing I love about the Keukenhof is that for two months a year, the whole

country seems to come here, confirming the fact that these beautiful floral arrangements really are a source of national pride. After a visit here, you’ll never doubt Holland’s claim to being ‘ a country of flowers’ again.

Blog SAIL Amsterdam

From 19 until 23 August 2010 the eighth SAIL Amsterdam will take place. On this moment, the organization is very busy with the preparations for the event.

The initiative for the organization of Sail Amsterdam, for the first time in 1975, arose during the preparations for the celebration of the Amsterdam’s 700-year

Boating in Holland.

Boating in Holland.

anniversary. During these preparations there was a proposal to organize an event in the port of Amsterdam. The focus would be on the port and the city of Amsterdam. For the “Sail Amsterdam” sailing ships from around the world were invited. The event was a great success.

After the great success of Sail Amsterdam 1975 there was decided to organize a second Sail in 1980. For this second SAIL Amsterdam a permanent organization “Stichting Sail Amsterdam” was established in 1977. Since then, Stichting Sail Amsterdam found a successful way to organize a Sail in 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2005. With more than 600 ships and 2.5 million visitors in 2005, SAIL Amsterdam was a great success.

The many Tall Ships were welcomed in IJmuiden by a huge fleet of ships, of all types and models, from all over the world. Under guidance, the ‘Parade of Sail’ takes place. This is the traditional start of Sail Amsterdam.

After arrival at the IJ-haven of Amsterdam, the festivities start, which are closed every night with spectacular fireworks. In and around the IJ-haven, there are many activities and a pleasant activity with the coming and going of many ships. SAIL Amsterdam is visit by people from all over the world. The five-yearly event is visit by a wide audience. Next to the many boat lovers, many people visit the event because of the atmosphere and charm. Also the youth program at the Sea of Friend Ships is well attended.

The highlights in the program of SAIL Amsterdam are the “Parade of Sail ‘, the tours of the ‘Varend Erfgoed’, the ‘Pieremachocheltocht’ and the ‘Tall Ships’ in the IJhaven.

Ice Skating in Amsterdam

Unfortunately for the Dutch, it’s not cold enough all year round to go ice skating on the canals. When the barometer drops below zero, the Dutch go crazy and can’t stop staring at the weather and conversations rest solely on  that ultimate skate feeling.  In short, Dutch people like ice skating and some of them go wild just thinking about it. What better way to enjoy the sights of Amsterdam with your family or loved one than skating around on the frozen canals, drinking hot chocolate and enjoying the ice.

Ice skating in Amsterdam.

Ice skating in Amsterdam.

Obviously, the ice needs to be really strong to hold all those determined skaters and this only happens when it’s below zero. It’s been a couple of years since people skated in Amsterdam but last winter the canals outside of Amsterdam froze up, strong enough to skate on.

Every Friday during the cold weather periods, there is a skating trip from 15km to 25KM. It starts between 20.15 and 20.30 near to the Cafe Vertigo Film museum in the Vondelpark. It’s free and if you don’t have skates, you can rent them out at Vondeltuin.

However, you don’t have to miss out on the ice-fever if the temperature gets too warm. There are several locations to skate in the center of Amsterdam. There is one at the Museumplein and another one is located at the Damsquare. Both are pretty small but they are free and very romantic.

For those speed merchants, you can check out a larger rink at the JAAP EDEN COMPLEX which can be easily reached by tra (9) and walking a few blocks. You can call or check the website http://www.jaapeden.nl/ (in dutch) for hours/times.

Bring your own or rent there!
Address: Radioweg 64 1098 NJ Amsterdam
Phone: 0206949652
Directions: can be reached by tram 9 and buses 15, 59, 67, 120, 126, 136 and 157. Exit at Kruislaan / Middenweg or Linnaeusparkweg / Kruislaan. (might need to call or ask someone to be sure!)

Amsterdam for kids (Part 2)

Madame Tussaud’s – Everyone knows Madame Tussaud’s and the queues outside show the gallery’s popularity. Local favourites are van Gogh, Rembrandt, Queen Beatrix, Mata Hari and more.

Madame Tussards in Amsterdam

Madame Tussards in Amsterdam

(Madame Tussaud’s, Dam Square; tel: 552 1010; open Jul-Aug daily 9.30am-8.30pm; Sept-June daily 10am-6.30pm; entrance charge is adults 21 euros, children between 5-15 is 6 euros and children under 5 are free).

Children’s Farm – Get right up close to nature in the middle of the city. This miniature waterfront farm on Bickers Island (Bickerseiland) is a wonderful place where children can get to stroke lambs, hold puppies and stare at pigs.

Canal ride – A great way to ease those aching feet, taking one of the many canal boats around the city is a great way to see and experience Amsterdam.

Do not forget that if you are travelling with children, a self-catering apartment in the centre of Amsterdam can be perfect for families and companies such as Holiday Velvet cater for families in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam for kids (Part 1)

Amsterdam is normally viewed as being less family friendly that other city break destinations. The trip you take there is generally not the holiday kind but you and the family can have a fantastic weekend break or longer holiday there with the kids at any time of year. There’s plenty of cheap flights to get there and there’s loads for both kids and parents to do.

The essential things to do when window shopping down the red light district just doesn’t do it for the kids. Must do’s include my following suggestions below:

NEMO Science and Technology CentreThis is a section of the revitalised harbour. The NEMO Centre is a must for kids of all ages. There are loads of intereactive exhibits, from refilling radio-controlled model oil tankers to conducting light and sound experiments and carrying out your own investigations in a laboratory. (NEMO, Prins Henrikkade, tel: 0900 919 1100; www.e-nemo.nl/; open Jul-Aug daily 10am-5pm; Sept-June Tues-Sun 10am-5pm; entrance charge is 11.50 euros per person and children up to 3 years are free).

Artis ZooAn interesting animal habitat in the heart of Amsterdam. You’ll see peacocks to polar bears and there’s also a great quarium and planetarium for those stargazers. They even have an African savannah:

Artis amsterdam

Artis amsterdam

a microplain housing zebras, wildebeests, ostriches and other native birds. (Artis Zoo, 38-40 Plantage Kerklaan, tel: 523 3400; open daily 9am-5pm; entrance charge is adults is € 17,70, for senior (65+) € 16,50 and for children from 3 to 9 years € 14,50).

Tropenmuseum TM Junior – There’s an excellent section on life in tropics that will entertain all kids. The Tropical MUseum is shows the lifestyles and problems in many of the world’s developing countries. The Junior section is aimed at children aged 6-12 and comes with lively hands-on features and activities.(Tropenmuseum, 2 Linnaeusstraat; tel: 568 8215: www.kit.nl. Open daily 10am-5pm; entrance charge over 6 yrs old is 4 euros and 7.50 euros for 18+ years).

Electrische Museumtramlijn (Electric Museum Tram Line) – Far from being borning, this is a “moving” museum onboard antique trams. The trams run during the summer, on Sundays and public holidays, from the old Harlemmermeerstation, just north of the 1928 Olympisch Stadion (Olympic Stadium) at Stadionplein. (Looking for Museum Quarter rentals in Amsterdam?