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5-day Amsterdam City Guide A preplanned step-by-step time line and city guide for Amsterdam. Follow it and get the best of the city. PromptGuides.com ©

5-day Amsterdam City Guide 2 5-day Amsterdam City Guide 3 Page 5 Page 5 Page 6 Page 6 Page 6 Page 7 Page 7 Delightful experience Very amusing, interactive museum Amsterdam's tourist hub World famous national museum World famous concert hall Green oasis in the center of the city Amsterdam's most upscale and exclusive shopping street PromptGuides.com © Tested and recommended hotels in Amsterdam > hotels in Amsterdam recommended Tested and Take a walk to Leidseplein - 20’ Take a walk to Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat - 5’ Take a walk to Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat Lunch time Take a walk to City Canal Cruise boarding - 20’ Take a walk to Heineken Experience Take Tram Line 2 or 5 to Hobbemastraat stop Take Tram Line 2 - 20’ Take a walk to Concergebouw - 10’ Take a walk to Vondelpark END OF DAY 1 Heineken Experience Leidseplein City Canal Cruise Vondelpark Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat Rijksmuseum Concertgebouw LEAVE HOTEL LEAVE 18:10-18:25 15:50-17:50 14:00-15:30 11:55-12:55 11:20-11:50 10:50-11:10 09:00-10:30 Overview of Day 1 Day of Overview PromptGuides.com © Overview of Day 1 of Overview

5-day Amsterdam City Guide 4 5-day Amsterdam City Guide 5 The hall was reconstructed and enlarged in The hall was reconstructed and enlarged 1980 after it was discovered to be in danger of collapse Audrey Hepburn held a season ticket to Concertgebouw while she lived in Amsterdam after World War II Admire the beautiful building Fantastic concerts are held here. Try to book your tickets for a concert while you are visiting Free lunchtime concerts on Wednesdays Admire the masterpieces on display (the masterpieces on display Admire the it easy to do a self-guided layout makes tour) impressive interior of the Pay attention to the building works: The Milkmaid, Do not miss the major Night Watch The Jewish Bride, and will be Up until 2013, the Rijksmuseum parts are still open to the renovated but most is still worth a visit in public (the museum works) spite of the ongoing for 5 € Audio guide is available a Two audio guide options are available: general overview and a more specific painting-centered one describing the works in detail MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos TIPS & INSIGHTS TIPS & INSIGHTS THINGS TO DO THERE 12.5 € Admission: (Concertgebouwplein 10, 1071 LN, Amsterdam) (Jan Luijkenstraat 1, Amsterdam) (Jan Luijkenstraat PromptGuides.com © Daily: 9am - 6pm • Daily: 9am the smaller recital hall; both of which host daily performances The Amsterdam Concert Hall (Concertgebouw) is one of the world's most prestigious and acoustically perfect concert halls It was built in 1888 in Neo-Dutch Renaissance style with a grand colonnaded Neo-Classical façade It is home to the world renowned Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra The creme de la creme of international musicians and conductors regularly perform here The building has two halls: a main hall and museum in 1808 the Its first home was in the Royal Palace on built Dam; its current monumental home was in 1885 in neo-Renaissance style The protestant king and public first much disliked the building and mocked it "Cathedral" as it bares many Catholic elements thanks to Cuypers, its Catholic architect Pick up a free plan or take an audio guide Rijksmuseum is a national museum Rijksmuseum and history dedicated to arts, crafts, some seven million The collection contains art pieces collection of paintings It has an extensive Age (17th c.) and a from the Dutch Golden of Asian art substantial collection Frans Hals and Jan Rembrandts, Vermeers, walls, including Night Steens hang on the Maid Watch and The Kitchen established the King Louis Napoleon THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS TO DO THERE Concertgebouw Opening hours: YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS Rijksmuseum 10:50-11:10 09:00-10:30 Attraction Details Attraction 13 € Admission: (Pieter Cornelisz Hoofstraat, Amsterdam) Walk along this elegant shopping street Do some shopping or relax in a café Next to the standard English and Dutch options many other languages are available Sit back and enjoy the sightseeing Admire the beautiful traditional merchant houses, the numerous bridges, the typical houseboats and experience the unique vibe of Amsterdam A unique landmark of the park is the Blue of the park A unique landmark built in New (Blauwe Theehuis) Teahouse a giant blue style that looks like Functionalist straw hat people in this Take a walk, watch any time of the year well-tended garden and relax or stop in Find an empty bench for a cup of tea one of the many cafés are held in the open-air Free performances theatre with kids on a summer Perfect place to go playgrounds, puppet day with paddling pool, shows and face painting MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos TIPS & INSIGHTS TIPS & INSIGHTS TIPS & INSIGHTS THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS TO DO THERE (Stadhouderskade 30, 1017 MA, Amsterdam) (Vondelpark 3, 1071 AA, Amsterdam) (Vondelpark PromptGuides.com © Apr - Sept, daily : 10am - 7pm, Oct - Mar, daily: 10am - 5pm • canal system crossed by 1281 bridges The unique Amsterdam canal houses, waterside cafés, pretty bridges and houseboats make exploring the canals fun and enjoyable both on foot and boat A canal cruise is an absolute must when visiting Amsterdam Boat tours offer a different perspective on the city and feature audio systems that help experience Amsterdam in a way that you could not do on your own have luxurious brands are present here such have luxurious brands are present here as Vuitton, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, or Gucci Amsterdam has a 75-km-long (47 miles) come here Concerts and plays are held in the open-air theater; the park is filled with joggers, or skaters, and performers such as jugglers or fire-eaters; many play football, badminton Frisbee Pieter Cornelisz Hoofstraat is Amsterdam's most elegant shopping street It is a relatively short street but all the must Vondelpark is the largest (44 ha, 109 ac) is the largest (44 Vondelpark popular park in Amsterdam and most somebody best place to go if This is the and relaxation wants peace, quietness 1864 by a few It was established in the park was named philanthropic citizens; Joost van den Vondel after the 17th c. poet, needed to The park features everything benches overlooking make it a lovely place: gardens, walking and small ponds, flower biking trails especially lively on The place becomes many summer Sundays when the dense city and Amsterdamers escape City Canal Cruise Opening hours: THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Vondelpark YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS 11:55-12:55 11:20-11:50 14:00-15:30 Attraction Details Attraction

5-day Amsterdam City Guide 6 5-day Amsterdam City Guide 7 15 € Attraction Details Attraction Admission: This building was a forerunner of the later Amsterdam School of architecture Enjoy the fun atmosphere of the square Have a cup of coffee in a nearby café Come back in the evening. Nightspots De are Melkweg, Paradiso, and Holland Casino close at hand Visitors get a free Heineken beer at the end a free Heineken beer Visitors get glass as and receive a Heineken of the tour a souvenir former brewery Tour around this informative theater, the games and Do not miss the 4D the interactive videos enjoy the free beer in At the end of the tour the top of the museum the Heineken bar at a beer fan the museum Even if you are not is still an amusing experience MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info TIPS & INSIGHTS TIPS & INSIGHTS THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS TO DO THERE (Stadhouderskade 78, Amsterdam) (Stadhouderskade PromptGuides.com (Leidseplein, Amsterdam) © Daily: 11am - 7pm, Jan 1, Apr 30, Dec 25 and 26: Closed • 30, Dec 25 and 26: - 7pm, Jan 1, Apr Daily: 11am nightlife The square and its vicinity are full of bars, outdoor cafés, coffee shops, restaurants, theaters, and dance clubs The square's liveliness is best experienced such in the evening when street performers, as fire-eaters, dancers, singers, family bands, and acrobats start to appear and entertain the crowds Art Leidseplein's most famous landmark is Nouveau American Hotel (1902) by Willem Kromhout (on the corner of Leidseplein and Leidsekade) historic promotional drays loaded with Heineken beer barrels a In one amusing attraction, standing on moving floor and facing a large video to be screen, visitors can sense what it's like a beer bottle riding on a conveyor belt Leidseplein is a tacky, loud and fun square in the center of the city The area is the center of Amsterdam's The Heineken Experience is a historic Experience is a The Heineken sold Dutch the internationally brewery for pilsner, Heineken beer around 1897; The brewery was built in 1988 production ceased here story of Netherlands' The museum tells the most famous beer are still in place: the All brewing equipments tanks (each copper stills, the fermentation million glasses of beer), capable of holding a and more the multistory malt silos stable that gives home The tour includes the that pull Heineken's to robust Shire horses Leidseplein THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS Heineken Experience Heineken Opening hours: 15:50-17:50 18:10-18:25 Page 10 Page 10 Page 10 Page 11 Page 11 Nice riverside Free guided tour van The world's largest Gogh collection The only floating flower market in the world Magnificent canal house Tested and recommended hotels in Amsterdam > hotels in Amsterdam recommended Tested and PromptGuides.com © Take a walk to Museum Van Loon - 10’ Take a walk to Museum Van Loon - Take a walk to Amstel River - 15’ Take Tram Line 2 or 5 to Hobbemastraat stop Take Tram Line 2 Gogh Museum - 5’ Take a walk to Van Lunch time or 5 from Hobbemastraat stop to Take Tram line 2 Koningsplein stop Bloemenmarkt Museum Van Loon Amstel River END OF DAY 2 LEAVE HOTEL LEAVE Coster Diamonds Van Gogh Museum 15:55-16:55 17:10-17:40 15:00-15:45 09:00-10:00 10:05-13:05 Overview of Day 2 Day of Overview

5-day Amsterdam City Guide 8 5-day Amsterdam City Guide 9 Overview of Day 2 of Overview PromptGuides.com © to avoid buy your ticket online garden supplies Buy ready-to-travel packets of tulip bulbs It is the best place to buy souvenirs here First of all long queues Admire the masterpieces on display (the layout makes it easy to do a self-guided tour) Audio guide is available for 5 € On Fridays the museum is open until 10pm and live music makes the visit even more unforgettable Take a walk on this colorful street full of flowers Just take a stroll through the stunning array of flowers and bulbs in the market You can buy cut flowers, bulbs, seeds and Many diamonds come from South Africa come from South Many diamonds or a free guided tour Opt for a self-guided the process of cutting (30 min.) to discover and polishing diamonds diamond and jewelry Admire the impressive collection Van Gogh committed suicide in 1890 MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info TIPS & INSIGHTS TIPS & INSIGHTS TIPS & INSIGHTS 14 € THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS Free Admission: (Paulus Potterstraat 7, Amsterdam) Admission: (Paulus Potterstraat 2-6, 1071 CZ, Amsterdam) 2-6, 1071 (Paulus Potterstraat (Singel 1013, Amsterdam) PromptGuides.com © Mon - Sat: 9am - 5:30pm, Sunday: 11am - 5:30pm Mon - Tue, Sat, Sun: 10am - 6pm, Fri (with the exception of Friday Dec 24 Mon - Tue, Sat, Sun: 10am - 6pm, Fri (with Daily: 9am - 5pm • Daily: 9am Hundreds of different flowers in multitude of colors can be found here The market is a good place to buy tulip bulbs sold in ready-to-travel packets Bloemenmarkt is a flower market in central Amsterdam that floats on water The stalls are set up on a row of barges along canal Singel As the barges are permanently fixed no rocking or movement is sensible any more Originally flower farmers sailed up the Amstel river from their nurseries to this spot and sold their flowers from their boats The place is a delight with its color explosion especially on a rainy day paintings The collection was amassed by this brother, Theo, who was also his art dealer Van Gogh had dramatic shifts in style and color as years passed by and he changed his places of stay; this is very well represented on the 2nd floor of The museum also showcases a number other impressionist painters such as Monet, Seurat, Pissarro, Gauguin, and Toulouse-Lautrec cutters and polishers work with the stones cutters and polishers Van Gogh Museum is housed in a 4-story building and is the largest collection of Vincent Van Gogh's work in the world Over 200 paintings, 580 drawings and 700 letters make up the collection 10 Van Gogh's painting career lasted only years while he created more than 900 Coster Diamonds, founded in 1840, is a founded in Coster Diamonds, that offers guided tours diamond workshop (mountain of light), The Koh-i-Noor diamond Jewels and once part of the British Crown in the world, was the largest known diamond re-polished here in 1852 the center of the Amsterdam became the 16th century when diamond business in Inquisition and move Jews fled the Spanish to the city how diamond graders, Visitors can observe Opening hours: THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Bloemenmarkt Van Gogh Museum Opening hours: and 31): 10am - 10pm, Jan 1: Closed • THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Opening hours: YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS Coster Diamonds Coster 15:00-15:45 10:05-13:05 09:00-10:00 Attraction Details Attraction

5-day Amsterdam City Guide 10 5-day Amsterdam City Guide 11 Admission: Attraction Details Attraction Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) is an 18th is century wooden double drawbridge that very popular among Amsterdamers of The river banks are lined with ships, many which are houseboats, and offer an excellent place for a nice stroll Take a nice walk along the river Walk through Magere Brug The museum houses painstakingly restored houses painstakingly The museum with that are richly filled period rooms fireplaces, furnishings, stuccowork mirrors, chandeliers, rugs, and porcelain, medallions, more the house is its Another highlight of imposing marble staircase and watch the Go first to the basement of the family and what video that tells stories for the rooms were used discovering the house Continue your visit by beautiful formal garden Finish the tour in the MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos TIPS & INSIGHTS TIPS & INSIGHTS THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS TO DO THERE (Keizersgracht 672, 1017 ET, Amsterdam) 672, 1017 ET, (Keizersgracht PromptGuides.com © Mon, Wed - Sun: 11am - 5pm, Tuesday: Closed, Jan 1, Apr 30, Dec 25: Closed • Jan 1, Apr 30, Dec Tuesday: Closed, - Sun: 11am - 5pm, Mon, Wed Muntplein, in the center of the city A fishing village was established at the Amstel's mouth in the 12th century In 1222 a dam, Amsterdam, was built and the village turned from fishing to trade This is when the expansion of a city began that evolved into one of the most powerful trading empire by the 17th century VOC clearly outperformed all its competitors combined both in number of people employed and tons of traded goods The company made huge profits from its spice monopoly Amstel is the river running through Amsterdam The river used to flow into the IJ bay, at Amsterdam's waterfront, but now ends Museum Van Loon, a 17th-century canal Loon, a 17th-century Museum Van elegant home of the house, used to be the Van Loon family wealthy and prestigious between 1884-1945 one of the founders of Willem van Loon was trading company, the extremely successful Company or VOC in Dutch United East India Dutch founded in 1602 and The enterprise was first multinational became the world's the first company to corporation and also issue stock Amstel River THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 8 € YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS Museum Van Loon Museum Opening hours: 15:55-16:55 17:10-17:40 PromptGuides.com © See all fun activites in Amsterdam. Click here > See all fun activites in Amsterdam. Click

5-day Amsterdam City Guide 12 5-day Amsterdam City Guide 13 Page 15 Page 15 Page 16 Page 16 Page 17 Page 17 Page 18 Impressive Dutch royal palace The city's oldest house Rembrandt's recreated studio Very moving and emotional experience Atmospheric neighborhood Amsterdam's main square National church of the Netherlands PromptGuides.com © Tested and recommended hotels in Amsterdam > hotels in Amsterdam recommended Tested and Take a walk to Museum Het Rembrandthuis - 15’ Take a walk to Museum Het Rembrandthuis Take a walk to Nieuwe Kerk Lunch time Take a walk to Koninklijk Paleis Take a walk to Begijnhof - 15’ Take Tram Line 13, 14 or 17 to Westermarkt stop Take Tram Line 13, neighborhood - 5’ Take a walk to Jordaan Square - 20’ Take a walk to Dam END OF DAY 3 Begijnhof Museum Het Rembrandthuis Koninklijk Paleis Dam Square Nieuwe Kerk Anne Frankhuis Jordaan neighborhood LEAVE HOTEL LEAVE 16:00-17:00 15:15-15:45 14:00-15:00 11:45-12:15 11:30-11:45 10:35-11:10 09:00-10:30 Overview of Day 3 Day of Overview PromptGuides.com © Overview of Day 3 of Overview

5-day Amsterdam City Guide 14 5-day Amsterdam City Guide 15 - especially buy your ticket online Read the diary before you go Take a long stroll in this lovely neighborhood up and down its beautiful tree-fringed canals Look at the buildings and the houseboats and then stop for a strong coffee at a neighborhood café Drop in your way the following streets: Bloemgracht, Egelantiersgracht, Tichel straat, Karthuizersplantsoen, Lindengracht First of all avoid long queues in summer time - to offices, secret Walk through the warehouse both levels of the entry bookcase, and Anne and Fritz Secret Annex including Pfeffer's room the rooms remain As Otto Frank intended, are unfurnished and artifacts/explanations sparse with an The tour ends downstairs explanation of the current mission of the Anne Frank Center with the requisite bookshop selling mementoes and videos If you do not have an online ticket, go early or late in the afternoon to avoid queues MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos MORE Info and Photos > TIPS & INSIGHTS TIPS & INSIGHTS THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS TO DO THERE (Prinsengracht 263-267, 1000 AS Amsterdam) 263-267, 1000 (Prinsengracht 8.5 € PromptGuides.com © Admission: Sept 15 - March 14, Sun - Fri: 9am - 7pm, Sept 15 - March 14, Sat: 9am - 9pm, - March 14, Sat: 9am - 7pm, Sept 15 March 14, Sun - Fri: Sept 15 - The area is peppered with art galleries and all sorts of interesting shops Jordaan is one of Amsterdam's most interesting neighborhoods with an intimate and easy-going atmosphere Many successful artists, intellectuals, and slightly older yuppies live in the area Small-scale streets, tiny canals with numerous bridges, centuries-old almshouses (hofjes) and inviting canal side cafés lend charm and an unforgettable character to the districts The only survivor of the family was Otto, the The only survivor of father; Anna died from typhoid shortly before the her camp was liberated near the end of war Apart for a number of protective Plexiglas panels, the rooms were left unchanged; Anna's original diary is on display Miep Gies, one of the people hiding the Franks, found the diary on the day the family was arrested and handed it to Otto on his return from Auschwitz then Otto published the diary in 1947; since it has been printed in more then 60 languages The Anna Frank Museum is the house The Anna Frank Museum family took refugee where the Jewish Frank World War II in total silence during old Anna begun to This is where the 13-year diary in 1942 write her world famous 25 months of hiding In August 1944, after family was betrayed; from the Nazis, the house and deported Nazi forces raided the camps the Franks to concentration Jordaan neighborhood THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Opening hours: August - 10pm, July and 15 - Sept 14, Sat: 9am 9am - 9pm, March - Sept 14, Sun - Fri: March 15 - 10pm • daily: 9am TO KNOW THINGS YOU NEED Anne Frankhuis Anne 10:35-11:10 09:00-10:30 Attraction Details Attraction Its treasures include a Jacob van Campen by organ and an elaborately carved pulpit Albert Vinckenbrinck, or the carved gilded ceiling above the choir Walk around and admire the altar, the organ and the beautiful stained-glass windows The New Church holds the title of national holds the title The New Church Dutch the Netherlands where Church of are crowned monarchs for a great view of Walk around the square Kerk and the Koninklijk Paleis, Nieuwe National Monument going on here, There is always something theater, living statutes, whether it be street and lots of pigeons organ grinders, protests, MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info TIPS & INSIGHTS TIPS & INSIGHTS THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS 15 € Admission: (Gravenstraat 17, 1012 NL, Amsterdam) (Dam, Amsterdam) PromptGuides.com © Daily: 10am - 5pm • It was originally built in the 14th c., after the It was originally built in the 14th c., after congregation outgrew the Oude Kerk It burnt down many times, but some original parts survived such as the choir It was consecrated to Our Lady and St. Catherine, but has always been called Oude Nieuwe Kerk - to distinguish it from the Kerk In the 19th c. it received the title of National Church of the Netherlands, Dutch monarchs are crowned here since then Queen Beatrix the The National Monument commemorates Dutch who died in World War II. The wall soil behind the obelisk contains urns holding from Dutch colonies and provinces New Church (Nieuwe Kerk), Amsterdam's second church, is a gracious Neo-Gothic church Dam Square or "the Dam" (as locals call it) or "the Dam" (as Dam Square main square is Amsterdam's 13th c. dam site of the original It marks the around which the city on the Amstel River was built include the New Highlights of "the Dam" the Royal Palace Church (Nieuwe Kerk), the National (Koninklijk Paleis) and Monument became the By the 17th c. this square Dutch trading empire center of the powerful built as a town hall in The Royal Palace was of the 17th c., and the Dutch golden ages palaces that belong to now is one of three Nieuwe Kerk Opening hours: THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Dam Square YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS 11:45-12:15 11:30-11:45 Attraction Details Attraction

5-day Amsterdam City Guide 16 5-day Amsterdam City Guide 17 Attraction Details Attraction Today the houses are privately owned. The entrance can be found on Gedempte Begijnensloot like Enter the wooden door and you will feel in an oasis of silence Walk around and look around in the peaceful courtyard Enter the Chatolic chapel to see a stained glass window of the Pilgrims praying before boarding the Mayflower Please respect the tranquility of the place The royal family does not own the royal family does not own The royal a budget state does and makes estates; the € available for there of 4 million earns an maintenance. The Queen of 750.000 € additional net income guide Pick up a free audio rooms, halls and Walk around in the the Empire collection, galleries that feature ceilings, grand as well as hand-painted sculptures and marble floors and epic and 18th centuries paintings from the 17th to visitors during The palace is closed periods of royal residence and state receptions MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos TIPS & INSIGHTS TIPS & INSIGHTS THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS TO DO THERE Free 7.5 € Admission: Admission: (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147, 1012 RJ Amsterdam) Voorburgwal 147, (Nieuwezijds • PromptGuides.com © Official site (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 373, 1012 RM, Amsterdam) (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 373, 1012 RM, Daily: 9am - 5pm • See:: The central church is the English Church (Engelse Kerk) epicenter of the city from which it expanded The houses belonged to Begijn, a lay Roman Chatolic sisterhood living in a loose semi-monastic community but without formal vows No. 34, Het Houten Huis, is the city's oldest house and one of two remaining timber houses. Timber houses were banned in 1521 after a series of catastrophic fires No. 30 is the Begijn Chaple (Begijnhofkapel) the sisterhood's chapel built in 1671 Begijnhof remained active even arter 1578 when the city converted from Catholicism to Protestantism. The last Begijn died in 1971 with early-19th-century furniture, chandeliers, and marble floors A unique feature of the Burgerzall (Citizens' Chamber) is the maps inlaid on the marble of floors depicting Amsterdam as the center the World Begijnhof is a leafy garden courtyard in central Amsterdam that is the original Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace) is an Paleis (Royal Palace) Koninklijk at the palace located imposing Classical Dam square facade The edifice and its neoclassical power in the 17th symbolize Amsterdam's century built as a town hall The palace was originally later turned into a royal (1648-55) and only palace (1808) of the royal family, It is the official residence to live in The but Queen Beatrix prefers Hague interior filled The palace has a breathtaking Begijnhof Opening hours: THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS Koninklijk Paleis Koninklijk Opening hours: 15:15-15:45 14:00-15:00 10 € (Jodenbreestraat 4, 1011 NK, Amsterdam) 4, 1011 NK, (Jodenbreestraat Do not be surprised by the modern entrance surprised by the modern Do not be free audio guide Pick up your small but amazing Walk around in this Rembrandt lived and museum to see where worked any of Rembrandt's Do not expect to see of the originals are on paintings. Only copies display masterpieces you can Rembrandt's greatest be seen in the Rijksmuseum Admission: MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info TIPS & INSIGHTS THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS PromptGuides.com © Daily: 10am - 5pm, Jan 1: Closed • - 5pm, Jan 1: Closed Daily: 10am restoration was Rembrandt's 1656 bankruptcy petition that listed and described his possessions Two highlights of the house are Rembrandt's recreated studio where he painted such room masterworks as the Night Watch and a dedicated to his marvelous etchings Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt Rembrandthuis Museum Het 17th-c. a beautifully preserved House) is lived in his years of house where Rembrandt prosperity (1639-58) prominent portrait He was the city's most but due to his painter at this time, he went bankrupt and extravagant lifestyle had to leave the house was restored and In 1906 the building to resemble refurnished painstakingly liked when the painter exactly what it looked lived there in the process of A very valuable document THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS Museum Het Rembrandthuis Museum Opening hours: 16:00-17:00 Attraction Details Attraction

5-day Amsterdam City Guide 18 5-day Amsterdam City Guide 19 Page 21 Page 21 Page 22 Page 22 Page 23 Page 23 Page 23 Famous and unique district Great daily market Impressive tower Charming town Architectural masterpiece A peaceful oasis of tranquility Amsterdam's oldest monument PromptGuides.com © Tested and recommended hotels in Amsterdam > hotels in Amsterdam recommended Tested and Take a walk to Montelbaanstoren - 10’ Take a walk to Montelbaanstoren - Take a walk to Oude Kerk - 5’ - 5’ Take a walk to the Red Light District Take a walk to Nieuwmarkt - 5’ Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Haarlem - Amsterdam Centraal to Haarlem Take the train from 15’ Amsterdam to Haarlem - 15’ Take the train from Amstelkring - 10’ Take a walk to Museum END OF DAY 4 Nieuwmarkt Montelbaanstoren Oude Kerk Red Light District Centraal Station Museum Amstelkring Haarlem LEAVE HOTEL LEAVE 18:20-18:35 17:40-18:10 17:05-17:35 16:30-17:00 15:25-16:25 15:05-15:15 09:00-14:50 Overview of Day 4 Day of Overview PromptGuides.com © Overview of Day 4 of Overview

5-day Amsterdam City Guide 20 5-day Amsterdam City Guide 21 Sauna van Egmond beauty spa with about half a dozen saunas and hours in complex steam rooms of various sorts, a pool, a a couple of sunbathing areas, a restaurant, sleeping area and a cinema Its extravagant red-brick Dutch neo-Renaissance façade depicts themes of travel, trade and Amsterdam's history Take a look at this architectural masterpiece Find a tourist information center near the information center Find a tourist of the and pick up a map central market town the 14th c. Town Admire the square with of the cafés Hall and relax in one (St.Bavo's Church) that Visit Sint-Bavokerk organ (Mozart, Handel houses the famous and Liszt played here) the Frans Hals Continue your visit in museum focuses on the Museum. This small 17th-century portrait works of Frans Hals, painter in Haarlem take a At the end of your tour and around this small canal cruise through and beautiful town (daily from noon, each hour until 4pm. The tour takes 50 minutes). the The dock is on the Spaarne River beside Gravenstenenbrug, a handsome lift bridge In case of bad weather spend a few MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos MORE Info and Photos > TIPS & INSIGHTS TIPS & INSIGHTS THINGS TO DO THERE (Stationsplein, 1012 Amsterdam) PromptGuides.com © It was built between 1884 and 1889 to the plans of Petrus Josephus Hubertus Cuypers in Neo-Renaissance style Before its construction could begin, three artificial islands had to be built supported by thousands of wooden piles Although today the station is an attraction on its own right, Amsterdammers first disliked and opposed to the idea as it blocked their view of the sea silver and porcelain Take a 10-minute stroll south from via Haarlem's Art Nouveau railway station It Kruisweg, Kruisstraat, and Smedenstraat. will bring you to the historic central market square (Grote Markt) Central Station (Centraal Station) is Amsterdam's train station servicing more then 1400 trains a day (Sint-Bavokerk) The magnificent 16th c. St. Bavo's Church boasts the soaring (30m98 ft.) Christian Müller organ (1738) Mozart, Handel and Liszt all played Grote Mark, the main square, with its the monumental buildings provides peek into development of Dutch architecture; the Haarlem's oldest building stands here, 14th c. Town Hall 17th Frans Hals Museum housed in a lovely c. house features many of Hals masterpieces and also a superb 18th c. dollhouse and fine collections of antiques, Haarlem is a pretty town of 150,000 Haarlem is from some 20 km (12 miles) inhabitants Amsterdam to the West such as Frans Rembrandt contemporaries and Pieter Hals, Jacob van Ruisdael, painted here Saenredam lived and the traditional Dutch While Haarlem retained it gives home to some village atmosphere; and magnificent excellent museums churches Markt, Frans Hals Highlights include: Grote Church Museum and St. Bavo's THINGS TO DO THERE Centraal Station THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS Haarlem 15:05-15:15 09:00-14:50 Attraction Details Attraction Walk around and take a look at the painted wooden ceiling and the impressive organ Visit the Maria Kapel and marvel at its stained glass Find vault 28K with the inscription Saskia Juni 1642 where Rembrandt's wife lies Take a look at the fascinating Vater-Müller organ and note its magnificent oak-encased pipe work, marbled wood statues and gilded carving Participate in the guided tower tour You can climb the church tower on a half-hourly guided tour (in English) for a great view of Old Amsterdam Catholic services and weddings are still and weddings Catholic services the museum hosted in building house a The lower floors of the rooms, various museum with refurbished and a collection religious artifacts, paintings of church treasures plan and follow the Pick up a free floor museum suggested tour of the at first, don't worry - all If you are confused marked and you won't the rooms are clearly miss anything out. Currently restoration works are carried The museum can be visited nonetheless MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos TIPS & INSIGHTS TIPS & INSIGHTS THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS TO DO THERE (Oudezijds Voorburgwal 40, 1012 GE, Amsterdam) Voorburgwal 40, 1012 (Oudezijds 8 € Admission: (Oudekerksplein, 1012 GX Amsterdam) PromptGuides.com 5 € © Mon - Sat: 11am - 5pm, Sunday: 1pm - 5pm, Jan 1, Apr 30 and Dec 25: Mon - Sat: 11am - 5pm, Sunday: 1pm Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm, Sundays and public holidays: 1pm - 5pm, January 1 1pm - 5pm, January and public holidays: 10am - 5pm, Sundays Mon - Sat: Admission: touted as Western Europe's largest; its beautiful 15th c. paintings were revealed only during restoration work in 1955 The building stands in the Red Light District; the 2007 statue in front of the church shows a hooker standing in a doorway calling for "respect for sex workers all over the world" church and Amsterdam's oldest monument Originally it was built as a small stone parish church consecrated in 1306 The building went through a number of a reconstructions since, and evolved into mighty Late-Gothic basilica by 1566 During Reformation (1566) the Catholic ornamentation and treasures were discarded and a stark interior remained c. The building features a grandiose 18th organ called Vater-Müller organ named after its creator and renovator, Christian Vater and Johann Caspar Müller The massive wooden vaulted ceiling is Hartman, a Catholic merchant, combined the Hartman, a Catholic merchant, combined attic of his house with the attics of two adjacent houses in The church was extended and remodeled Baroque style in 1735; this is when the galleries were also installed Oude Kerk (Old Church) is a Protestant The attic of a 17th-c. canal house in the Red a 17th-c. canal house The attic of the Museum Light District conceals Our Lord in the Attic Amstelkring or Museum example of hidden The museum is a fine after the Catholic churches established worshiped here Alteration; local Catholics between 1663 and 1887 Protestant in the After Amsterdam became their right to worship in 17th c. Catholics lost did it secretly in their own way; so they like this one clandestine churches in 1661 when Jan The church was created Oude Kerk Opening hours: Closed • THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW and April 30: Closed • and April 30: YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS Museum Amstelkring Museum Opening hours: 15:25-16:25 16:30-17:00 Attraction Details Attraction

5-day Amsterdam City Guide 22 5-day Amsterdam City Guide 23 Attraction Details Attraction tower In 1975 a heavy riot broke out as a protest against a planned metro and highway which a was to run through the Nieuwmarkt. As consequence the highway project was abandoned Walk around this vast square You can not miss De Waag that dominates the square Have a coffee in one of the nearby cafés an A daily market is held on this square and organic food market on Saturdays In the summer months an antiques and books market takes place on Sundays Oude Schans was dug in the 16th c. in order to improve ships' access Have a look and take some photos of the The women have diverse backgrounds: The women are young professionals but many some are or money for college students earning extra cash trying to raise some housewives (Oudezijds Walk around the district that offers a Achterburgwal street) into the world's oldest fascinating window profession MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info TIPS & INSIGHTS TIPS & INSIGHTS TIPS & INSIGHTS THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS TO DO THERE (Oudeschans 2, Amsterdam) PromptGuides.com (Nieuwmarkt, 1011 Amsterdam) © canal Montelbaans Tower is a fortified tower built in 1512 The steeple was placed on the tower almost 100 years later in 1606 when the town could finally afford the decoration Originally it was erected to defend the Dutch fleet stationed in the Amsterdam harbor Today it houses the Amsterdam Water Authority The tower overlooks the lovely Oude Schans Nieuwmarkt is dominated by De Waag that Nieuwmarkt is dominated by De Waag was originally the eastern gate of the medieval city wall c. After the walls were torn down in the 17th De Waag served as a weighing house and gave home to numerous guilds, including the surgeons' Rembrandt painted his famous Anatomy Lesson of Dr Tulp in De Waag. Public executions took place in Nieuwmarkt making it easy to acquire corps for dissection In World War II Nazis used the square as a collection point for Jews to be sent to concentration camps The health department strictly regulates the The health department strictly regulates to be sex industry requiring all kinds of rules followed such as the temperature prostitutes must wash their underwear Nieuwmarkt (New Market) is a large square in central Amsterdam c. It has been a marketplace since the 15th and still hosts a daily market and an organic food market on Saturdays Rosse Buurt (Red Light District) occupies (Red Light District) Rosse Buurt Walletjes oldest quarter, de Amsterdam's the little walls) (meaning most famous tourist It is one of Amsterdam's sitting in windows attractions with prostitutes in the 13th c. when The district emerged one of Europe's leading Amsterdam became back from long ports; and sailors coming for female attention journeys were desperate to approximately The sex industry amounts in the Netherlands a $1 billion business are ongoing about the To this day debates regulations on right approach to and prostitution Montelbaanstoren THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Nieuwmarkt THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Red Light District Red Light YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS 17:05-17:35 17:40-18:10 18:20-18:35 PromptGuides.com ©

5-day Amsterdam City Guide 24 5-day Amsterdam City Guide 25 Page 27 Page 27 Home town of the famous blue-white porcelain Impressive art collection in Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery PromptGuides.com © Tested and recommended hotels in Amsterdam > hotels in Amsterdam recommended Tested and Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Haarlem Take the train from to the train to Delft - 60’ in all In Haarlem change Delft to The Hague - 15’ Take the train from The Hague and Scheveningen The Hague and 5 END OF DAY Delft LEAVE HOTEL LEAVE 13:15-18:15 10:00-13:00 Overview of Day 5 Day of Overview PromptGuides.com © Overview of Day 5 of Overview

5-day Amsterdam City Guide 26 5-day Amsterdam City Guide 27 the liveliest on sunny summer afternoons If you have the time visit Madurodam: the mini-Holland amusement park with miniature city buildings (tram nr. 9) Oude Delft canal a Take a 10-minute tram ride (nr. 16) or take the walk from Den Haag Centraal Station to city center - In the city center - opposite the parliament up there is a Tourist Information Office. Pick a free city map there of Start your visit at the venerable complex Parliament buildings Head to the magnificent Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery to see the impressive art collection with Rembrandt, Vermeer and Rubens master pieces Continue your tour to the magnificent mock-Gothic Palace - Vredespaleis (Peace Palace) Take tram nr. 1 or 9 to Scheveningen. This relaxed, beachside town is only a 15-minute tram ride from the center of The Hague. It is From Delft's railway station walk to the railway station walk From Delft's Office find the Tourist Information center, to with a map of Delft Pick up a brochure Market Square Start your visit on the and its spire from admiring the New church different angles interior of Nieuwe Admire the impressive The entrance fee Kerk (New Church). to the Oude Kerk includes admission the Oude Kerk (Old Continue your visit in blocks away from New Church), just a few for its 27 stained-glass Church. It is notable clock tower windows and the leaning After taking some time in this lovely small city, on the way back to the railway station you visit the porcelain factory: Koninklijke of Porcelyne Fles, famous for the production its beautiful blue and white porcelain. The the most scenic route to the factory is along MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos > MORE Info and Photos TIPS & INSIGHTS TIPS & INSIGHTS THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS TO DO THERE THINGS PromptGuides.com © chandeliers weighing 1,750kg (3,858 lb) throne and opens the new legislative session Mauritshuis, a small Renaissance palace adjacent to Binnenhof, houses the Royal Cabinet of Paintings that showcases a number of Rembrandt, Hals and Vermeer paintings Peace Palace (Vredespaleis), a magnificent mock-Gothic building (built in 1913), is home to the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration All the participating countries place marvelous gifts in the Peace Palace such as amazing French mosaic floors, crystal The Hague is Netherlands' 3rd largest city, seat home and workplace of Queen Beatrix, of the Dutch parliament and judicial capital of the United Nations Binnenhof (Inner court), a venerable building is complex featuring monumental buildings, the seat of Staaten-Generaal (States General), the Dutch parliament, since 1446 The medieval Hall of the Knights (Ridderzaal), at Binnenhof, is where Queen Beatrix delivers her annual speech from the Kerk), (2) New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) and Kerk), (2) New Church (3) the Royal Porcelain Factory Vermeer is buried in Old Church, this vast are 13th-century building; notable features the 27 stained glass windows and the 14th-century leaning clock tower New Church is a landmark Protestant church the at the main square; the burial place for royal family since Prince William of Orange was entombed here The Royal Porcelain Factory offers guided of tours; visitors learn about the production porcelain and see how they are painted Delft is a small town close to Rotterdam, Delft is a small to the (37 mi) from Amsterdam some 60 km southwest the Dutch The town is home of it is also the blue-and-white porcelain; century master, Jan birthplace of the 17th place of the royal Vermeer, and the burial family pretty bridges, old Neat tree lined canals, flower boxes canal houses and colorful little town make Delft a charming Old Church (Oude Highlights include: (1) The Hague and Scheveningen THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THINGS Delft 13:15-18:15 10:00-13:00 Attraction Details Attraction PromptGuides.com ©

5-day Amsterdam City Guide 28 5-day Amsterdam City Guide 29 Frosted Bob the • • • Museum Qiou87 Renato Torii • moonpie jvnunag • Van Gogh zamito44 Arne Hulstein • Museum Van • Red Light District: • Dam Square: Photo by • Anne Frankhuis: Photo by Ted Drake clare_and_ben • Montelbaanstoren: Photo by • Montelbaanstoren: Photo by poederbach Bas van Gaalen dirkjankraan • Koninklijk Paleis: Photo by jacobchristensen Mike McHolm • Centraal Station: Photo by PromptGuides.com • Heineken Experience: Photo by • Heineken Experience: Photo • Museum Het Rembrandthuis: Photo by • Museum Het Rembrandthuis: © • The Hague and Scheveningen: Photo by • The Hague and Scheveningen: JoetheLion • Concertgebouw: Photo by • Concertgebouw: • Coster Diamonds: Photo by • Coster Diamonds: Photo by • Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat: Photo by • Pieter Cornelisz • Oude Kerk: Photo by billandkent Catherine Murray Catherine Berto Garcia jpmm • Amstel River: Photo by • Bloemenmarkt: Photo by Berto Garcia Berend B jvnunag DruhScoff wYnand! jacobchristensen Truus, Bob & Jan too! jankie • Nieuwmarkt: Photo by DaveLevy • Jordaan neighborhood: Photo by • Jordaan neighborhood: Photo • Nieuwe Kerk: Photo by jeffc5000 • Delft: Photo by Photo by courier • Haarlem: Photo by Amstelkring: Photo by Peppercorn jivedanson • Begijnhof: Photo by Leidseplein: Photo by Museum: Photo by Loon: Photo by Vondelpark: Photo by Vondelpark: Photo City Canal Cruise: Photo by Attraction details Photo by Rijksmuseum: Map http://www.bing.com/maps Cover photo #3: Photo by Cover photo #3: Cover page Cover by #1: Photo Cover photo by #2: Photo Cover photo Photo credits Photo PromptGuides.com ©

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