We built several longer trips that include Amsterdam in the itinerary – from longer, round the world trips to jaunts through Europe. By using Indie, the world’s first flight finder that allows you to instantly search, price, and book multi-stop tickets of more than 6 legs, it’s easy to customize and make all these trips your own.

Use these trips as inspiration for your own!

This trip takes travelers from Chicago on a round the world trip through some of the great cities and sites in the world. Start in Amsterdam, head to see the pyramids outside of Cairo, then head to Bangkok before returning back to the states.

With Indie, it’s super quick and easy to change your itinerary and dates around to fit your needs. Gone are the days of having to email your customer service rep and wait for a new price. Simply We simply changed the above itinerary to reflect someone from New York searching. It took 1 minute, 13 seconds to change the itinerary and get a new price.

Build overland segments into your trip as well. The above trip, originating in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a jaunt around Europe that includes several overland segments. Fly into London, travel overland to Paris and Amsterdam, then fly to Athens and Lisbon before heading back.

This trip originates in Sydney and takes travelers on a trip through Europe, arriving in Rome, traveling overland to Amsterdam, then off to Reykjavik before heading to San Francisco. And why not add in several weeks in Hawaii on the way back? Just for fun, I took out the Honolulu leg, and the price only dropped about $200USD.

Photo credits: Fabienkhan

While most visitors zip through the capital city of Amsterdam, 10 days gives you a well rounded view through this open-minded, yet pragmatic country.

How to get there

You will fly into Schiphol Airport, the 4th largest airport in Europe. Carriers that fly into Schiphol include KLM, Delta Air Lines, British Airways, Continental, United, and US Airways to name a few.

Quick search for cheap flights to Amsterdam:

Note: The Netherlands is on is on Central European Time (CET) at GMT + 1:00.

The Netherlands is part of the Schengen Agreement which means American visitors with a valid passport can visit without a visa for 90 days.

From Schiphol Airport, the best way out is via the domestic train line at the station located directly underground.

>> Find out how to get from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport into central Amsterdam

Amsterdam: 3 days

Welcome to Amsterdam; the sin city capital of Europe! You’ll arrive to Central Station an impressive Neo-Renaissance building that dates back to 1889.

Quick search for cheap hotels in Amsterdam:

On Day 1, you can walk from Central Station down to the first Canal Ring to book a Canal Cruise. On the cruise, you’ll pass by the Prinsengracht, one of the canals where the Anne Frank House is located.

Pick up a quick snack at one of the FEBO stands. Spend the afternoon in Dam Square where you’ll see the Royal Palace and the National Monument. End Day 1 strolling through the Red Light District.

Enjoy Day 2 exploring the culture of Amsterdam with a choice of museums from the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. Stop by the iAmsterdam tourism stand to find one of their famous statues.

Fuel your travel energy with an order of bitterballen, a famous Dutch treat which is normally paired with a pint of beer. You can also check out the Heineken experience. The evening can be spent in Zeedijk for dinner and Leidesplein for bar hopping.

You can easily make Day 3 all about renting a bike and exploring Vondelpark. Bike your way towards the famous Albert Cuyp market or the Bloemenmarkt. Don’t say goodbye to Amsterdam without enjoying a show, either at Boom Chicago or Concertgebouw.

Half a day in Leiden and Delft

Leiden is home to the oldest University in The Netherlands and the birthplace of Rembrandt. Explore by strolling the big shopping street on Haarlemmerstraat and Breestraat.

Quick search for cheap hotels in Leiden:

Quick search for cheap hotels in Delft:

If you’re traveling in the springtime, take a bus to visit the Keukenhof.

Hop on the rail once more to go further south to the town of Delft. You can find the best Delft Blue here to bring home as a souvenir. Pay your respect at the New Church and the Old Church with hold the tombs of famous Dutch figures.

Enjoy a typically Dutch dinner at Spijshuis de Dis.

Half a day in Utrecht and Gouda

With a rich history that dates back to the Roman Empire, Utrecht is now a busy, youthful city that has come to life. Start by shopping in the indoor shopping center Hoog Catharijne, located right in the Central Station.

Quick search for cheap hotels in Utrecht:

Quick search for cheap hotels in Gouda:

Once you’ve escaped, take the bus to the Dom Tower. This Gothic church is the highest in The Netherlands after climbing 465 steep stairs.

Take a leisurely walk through the Oudegracht; a canal going through the city center. On a sunny day, everyone will be on the canal sides which are used as patios at pubs and restaurants.

If you’re a fan of nightlife, you can stay in Utrecht and enjoy dinner at Stadskasteel Oudaen , a restaurant built from an old castle. The best clubs are Tivoli, Pakhuis and Hofman.

Or, those who are visiting in the summertime must take a side trip to Gouda for the cheese market. Every Thursday morning, locals reenact the old cheese weighing process with large rounds of Dutch cheese. (Only in the summer)

Treat yourself to a fresh stroopwafel in the city where it was first made.

3 days in Rotterdam

Welcome to the 2nd largest city in The Netherlands: Rotterdam. This up and coming city is known for having the largest port in Europe, its elite architecture and for tragically being bombed during WWII.

Quick search for cheap hotels in Rotterdam:

Begin Day One in Rotterdam by visiting the Euromast tower. Brave adrenaline seekers can go abseiling on the very tower. After observing your lovely view of the port city, take the Metro into town to see the Cube houses.

Make your way towards the impressive Erasmus Bridge to find the Spido for a harbor tour. Spend some leisurely time at the Oude Haven for beer and budget friendly meals.

If you’re looking for a multifunctional place to experience, check out the SS Rotterdam: A docked cruise ship that is a restaurant, hotel and tourist attraction.

If you haven’t had enough shopping, make your wallet happy at the Beurstraverse on Day 2. At the end of your shopping street you’ll see the construction at Rotterdam Central station.

Spend your lunch time at the Pilgrim House. This is located in the famous Delfshaven neighborhood that escaped the Rotterdam bombing. Close by is the historical Resistance Museum. Get close to the Rotterdam skyline at Wilheminaplein and visit Hotel New York.

Day 3 can be spent enjoying a luxury breakfast at Café Rotterdam. If you’re able to rent a car, drive out to Kinderdijk where the famous windmills are located, only 15 miles away.

Some recommended museums are the Foto Museum or if you prefer traditional art, the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum.

Your last day in Rotterdam should be special which is why you should dine at the family-friendly Pancake Boat. Or, if you prefer a romantic scene, take your lover to Opazzo for Italian. Adults can enjoy after hours at Locus Publicus, a reputable pub.

1 Day in The Hague

The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government and where the Queen resides. You must start off by exploring the Binnenhof, the seat of the government since the 13th century.

Quick search for cheap hotels in The Hague:

Close by is the Mauritshuis, featuring the famous piece by Vermeer: Girl with a Pearl Earring. If you’re able to make reservations ahead of time, the Peace Palace impressive to visit, since it’s the International Court of Justice.

On a warm day, catch the sunset by taking Tram 1 to the seaside resort of Scheveningen. Enjoy frites or delicious fish and chips from the sea.

Last day in Hook van Holland and Zeeland

There is no easy way to say goodbye to such a surprising country like The Netherlands. Something that is well known about the Dutch is the way they handle water. Rent a car and drive to the Maeslantkering by the Hook van Holland.

Quick search for cheap hotels in Zeeland:

This is a storm surge barrier which is part of the Delta Works project which protects the country from floods. Head further south to Neeltje-Jans; a water theme park and where the most important storm surge barrier, the Oosterscheldekering is located.

Your trip ends at Zeeland, a popular beach area for not only the Dutch, but many Europeans. Westkapelle is a lovely beach town where you can enjoy the village and the sea by just relaxing after your first grand tour of The Netherlands!

photos by UggBoy UggGirl, khawkins33, GoTeresa!, GoTeresa!, GoTeresa!, manuel|MC, GoTeresa!, Bert Kaufmann, speckledyen, rs-foto

The folks at our sister site over at BootsnAll have been renewing their focus lately, making an effort to promote indie travel. The pinnacle of the indie travel experience is taking a round the world trip. BootsnAll’s round the world trip planning section has been revamped and updated to help anyone interested in taking the leap and traveling long term.

In addition to the RTW section, they have also been updating their city guides to point out those off the beaten path places to visit within each city. While travelers certainly should see the sites that make each city famous, it’s also good to find ways to see each city in a new and unique way that most tourists don’t make an effort to see. If you check out the Amsterdam page, you will see why any travel lover should consider adding Amsterdam to a RTW trip. There are plenty of places beyond the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, and the Vondelpark that could keep any traveler busy for quite a while.

Photo credit: 1

To stay sane on your family city break to Amsterdam you’ll need activities, eateries and entertainment that appeal to all family members both little and large. The great news is that most museums and galleries provide information in both English and Dutch and you can swap children’s theatre for quirky mime and puppet acts. The maze of canals means there are a flurry of boats to point out and also an assortment of bicycles whizzing by to absorb kids over lunch or Mum and Dad’s much-needed tea break. Travelling on a budget? Check out a selection of the best cheap Amsterdam hotels.

Museums & Galleries

Nemo
Shaped like a ginormous boat, this is a hands-on science museum with over five floors of anything but a droll ‘how things work’ classroom. Mum and Dad can put their feet up for a couple of hours while the kiddiewinks see if they can fit inside a giant soap bubble, perform over 10 chemical experiments or check out a display of brains – before or after lunch? You decide.
Oosterdok 2

Anne Frank Huis
A sobering affair but fascinating for children who are fans of the book. The 17th century house was the hiding place of the Anne Frank and her Jewish family for almost two years during World War II. Be sure to arrive early to avoid the worst of the queues.
Prinsengracht 267

Theatre

De Krakeling
A professional theatre exclusively for children, check out the program for some of their marvellous mime acts – you can forget about the language barrier. There are performances most days of the week which are suitable for age ranges from 3 to 14 years old.
Nieuwe Passeerderstraat 1

Restaurants

Praq
Designed with children in mind, there is a play area for the restless period in between courses and meals are served on unbreakable plates at tables shaped like quirky cars. Kids will be happy with the pizzas or chipolata sausages while adults can indulge in more artisan sandwiches, fish of the day and organically soured produce. The bright red shed building is on the outskirts of town in the middle of a cultural project called Village Fanning. Just take tram number 26 or bus number 37 from the centre to Zuiderzeeweg.
Ijdijk 8

De Pannenkoekenboot
Combine an Amsterdam boat tour with all you can eat pancakes and a ball pit. Kids can choose from a colourful assortment of toppings both savoury and sweet. The one-hour tour cruises around the port along the Old Granary, Central Station and the Piet Hein Kade and there is also the option of a three-hour night time cruise. To reach the jetty, catch the free ferry from Central Station which departs every half an hour and moors right next to the Pancake Boat.
Ms. Van Riemsdijkweg

De Kas
Kids love space to run around so a trip out of town to the De Kas nursery makes a worthy excursion. Everything is grown on site or sourced from neighbouring farmers. While parents can enjoy the beautiful greenhouse architecture of the restaurant, kids can let off some steam with a run around outside exploring the gardens or the pretty wooden playground. From Amsterdam Centraal Railway Station take tram number nine to Hogeweg.
Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3

Shopping

Joe’s Vliegerwinkel
Undoubtedly the most colourful boutique on the street the shop window is a flurry of kites and miniature flying machines demonstrating aeronautical acrobatics. There are yoyos frisbees and boomerangs for all budgets too. Now all you need is a nice open space…
Nieuwe Hoogstraat 19

Parks

Vondelpark
This is Amsterdam’s largest green space and always buzzing with joggers, buggies and picnickers. There are a number of play areas for children as well as park cafes. Tell the kids to spot some of the wild parakeets that were accidently released in the 1970s. During the warm summer months, check out the program of events taking place at the Vondelpark Openluchttheater.

Family Friendly Hotels

Hotel Waterfront
This cute canal house is located just a short walk from Museumplein and Vondelpark and many rooms have views out over the canal. There is internet access and the hotel runs a tours and travel desk to help you plan excursions. Breakfast is included in the price.

Hortus Hotel
Across the road from the Hortus Botanicus gardens, the Artis Zoo and 15 minutes’ walk to Central Station, the hotel is in a pretty residential neighbourhood. A tram stops close by for easy access to the top attractions and breakfast is included in the price. There are also self-catering facilities, a lounge and pool table.

photo by The Swedish Seal

And hey, if you’re the Amsterdam-o-phile in question, feel free to just send the whole list on to your friends and family as a helpful hint just before your birthday.

Skip ahead to the different sections using the links here, or just scroll through the whole article for 46 gift ideas of Amsterdam awesomeness.

• Amsterdam Travel Gifts
• Amsterdam in the Movies
• Amsterdam Books (except travel guides, those are in the top section)
• Dutch Food Gifts
• Random & Fun Amsterdam Gifts (this section includes clothes, too)

Amsterdam Gifts for the Traveler

Anyone on your gift list who’s planning a trip is actually pretty easy to shop for – a travel guide geared toward their taste and travel style is always appreciated. Here’s a selection of great travel guides for Amsterdam.

Lonely Planet: Amsterdam – The Amsterdam LP guide includes more than 700 author recommendations for your time in the city, several DIY guided tours on foot and by bike, tips to avoid the longest lines, and lots of color pictures.

Rick Steves: Amsterdam-Bruges/Brussels – The Rick Steves guide to Amsterdam includes nearby Bruges and Brussels, but it’s focused on Amsterdam. There are self-guided tours through the city (both through neighborhoods and through museums) and lots of tips to experience the best of the city on a budget.

Secret Amsterdam – This guide focuses on the aspects of Amsterdam that may be less well-known, including a “boat-in” – Amsterdam’s version of a “drive-in” movie theatre.

Frommer’s Irreverent Guide to Amsterdam – If you like Frommer’s style in general but are interested in a slightly quirkier take on Amsterdam, this may be the ideal guide for you.

Amsterdam: Made by Hand – This interesting book highlights shops and studios all over Amsterdam where travelers can see artists at work and buy their unique creations.

Moleskine City Notebook: Amsterdam – Moleskine’s City Notebooks are great for return visitors to a place, or people who just like to keep track of their own travels rather than just following someone else’s guidebook. Maps of Amsterdam are included, along with lots of blank pages for jotting down notes.

Amsterdam Pop-Out Map – Pop-Out maps are excellent city maps that require no folding or un-folding, making them easy to slip in and out of a pocket or purse quickly and discreetly.

Amsterdam luggage tag – Declare your love for Amsterdam no matter where you travel with these stylish luggage tags.

Amsterdam in the Movies

Sometimes all it takes to rekindle a love affair with a destination is to see it portrayed on the big screen. These are mostly movies in which Amsterdam merely serves as the setting, but there’s a travel show in here, too, if you want the focus to be entirely on the city.

Globe Trekker: Netherlands/Amsterdam – Let the GlobeTrekker folks guide you through Amsterdam and The Netherlands with their characteristic humor and sense of adventure.

Operation Amsterdam – This 1959 film is about British secret agents are sent to Amsterdam “to take as many of the city’s industrial diamonds as they can before the impending Nazi invasion.”

Ocean’s Twelve – The second in the modern remakes of the Ocean movies isn’t set entirely in Amsterdam, but quite a bit of the film takes place in the city.

Diamonds Are Forever – This classic 1971 James Bond film is another that takes place only partly in Amsterdam, but it’s Bond from the Sean Connery era, so it’s hard to go wrong there.

Silent Witness (AKA “Do Not Disturb”) – While this movie gets pretty universally bad reviews, it’s set in Amsterdam and the footage of the city is excellent. From IMDB: “Do Not Disturb tells the story of an American family in Amsterdam whose mute 10 year old daughter witnesses a murder. The murderers chase the child through nightly Amsterdam.”

Soul Assassin – This is another film that gets pretty bad reviews but takes full advantage of Amsterdam and other Dutch cities for scenery. From Amazon: “When Kevin Burke, a young, ambitious security agent employed by a powerful multinational banking firm finally secures an important promotion on the company’s top internal security team, he has reach the pinnacle of his career and intends to ask his beautiful girlfriend, Rosalind, to marry him. But their romantic evening ends in tragedy when Rossalind is brutally murdered by a hit man.”

Puppet on a Chain – This 1970 film is called a “cult classic” by some, and is appreciated for a great canal chase sequence. From Amazon: “Following a triple professional hit a U.S. agent arrives in Amsterdam to investigate a heroin smuggling ring. He finds a city rife with drugs and a police force unable or unwilling to do much about it.”

Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo – There aren’t many redeeming qualities to this movie, other than the fact that it’s set in Amsterdam.

Amsterdamned – This 1988 film is actually Dutch. From IMDB: “A mysterious diver hiding in Amsterdam’s canal system embarks on a rampage of gruesome murders, terrifying city officials and leaving few clues for the city’s best detective, who doesn’t suspect that both his new girlfriend and twelve-year-old daughter may be closer than he is to finding the killer.”

Amsterdam Books

Getting lost in a good book isn’t quite the same as getting lost in Amsterdam, but for serious book lovers it can be the next best thing.

Outsider in Amsterdam – This book is the first in a series of detective novels set in Amsterdam with the central characters of Grijpstra and de Gier, so if you’re a fan then seek out the rest of the books.

The Good Thief’s Guide to Amsterdam – From Amazon: “An established author of mysteries featuring a burglar-detective, Charles Howard himself is a successful burglar. While finishing his latest novel in Amsterdam, Howard receives a cryptic invitation via his Web site and follows his curiosity to a meeting with a mysterious American who somehow knows of the author’s secret profession. Howard initially declines the commission to steal two small plaster monkeys, but when he succeeds in his assignment, he finds his client has been brutally bludgeoned.”

Amsterdam: A Traveler’s Literary Companion – This isn’t a travel guide, rather it’s a collection of stories by a variety of authors who have written about Amsterdam. The book is arranged by neighborhood, so you’ll get a series of neighborhood profiles based on the works included.

Amsterdam Stories – This collection of stories is by renowned Dutch author Nescio about growing up in The Netherlands.

Amsterdam: A Brief Life of the City – From Amazon: “A magnet for trade and travellers from all over the world, stylish, cosmopolitan Amsterdam is a city not only of dreams and nightmares, of grand civic architecture and legendary beauty, but also of civil wars, bloody religious purges, and the tragedy of Anne Frank. In this fascinating examination of the city’s soul, part history, part travel guide, Geert Mak imaginatively recreates the lives of the early Amsterdammers, and traces Amsterdam’s progress from waterlogged settlement to a major financial centre and thriving modern metropolis.”

Amsterdam: Portrait of a City – This photo book of Amsterdam is sure to be appreciated on any Amsterdam-lover’s coffee table. There are 150 photos included in the book.

Amsterdam Citypanoramas – This is another Amsterdam picture book, only this time they’re all 360-degree panorama shots.

Rijksmuseum: Amsterdam – Art lovers will enjoy looking back at this collection of images from Amsterdam’s most famous art museum (or it’ll help prepare them for what they’ll see when they visit).

Dutch Food Gifts

A sense of taste can bring back memories in unique ways, so the person on your gift list who’s missing Amsterdam will certainly appreciate these Dutch food treats.

Stroopwafels – You can often find these caramel-filled Dutch waffle cookies at shops like Trader Joe’s, but these cookies come in a pretty tin.

Gouda Cheese – If you’ve got a good market nearby, you’ll likely be able to find a good quality Dutch gouda there.

Droste “Dutch Pressed” Cocoa – You’ve probably read “Dutch pressed cocoa” on plenty of cocoa labels; this time, get actual Dutch cocoa. For a more instant chocolate treat (AKA one that doesn’t require cooking), try these Droste chocolate candies.

Van Dungen clog-shaped chocolate – Okay, these may not be the best chocolates you’ve ever had, but they’re clog-shaped. That’s hard to beat on the quirky scale, people.

Random & Fun Amsterdam Gifts

Amsterdam is classy and historic – and also has a sense of humor. So why not honor that fun side with one of these whimsical Amsterdam gifts?

Netherlands Flag – What proud Dutch fan doesn’t want to display the flag? If you’d rather have a paper version, here’s a Netherlands flag poster instead.

Amsterdam canals mouse pad – Let this picture of an Amsterdam canal inspire your web searches for cheap airfare to Amsterdam or budget Amsterdam hotels.

Amsterdam canal print tile – The same canal image can be had on a ceramic or glass tile, for indoor or outdoor decoration.

XXX patch – This XXX patch could be the perfect addition to your backpack before you head to Europe.

B&W Bike & Canal print – This beautiful picture of a bike on a bridge overlooking the Singel Canal would be a lovely addition to any wall.

Amsterdam vintage map magnet – This fun vintage map of Amsterdam would fit nicely on any fridge.

Amsterdam Coffee Shops poster – Get this before a trip to make note of coffeeshops you want to visit, or after you get back to check off the ones you’ve been to.

Hotel Amsterdam board game – This game invites you to “build” Amsterdam around your hotels, and it even involves a nighttime city when the lights of the Red Light District are switched on.

I Love Amsterdam charm – Declare your love of Amsterdam with this charm, appropriate for a charm bracelet or as a casual pendant.

Dutch clog planter – Grow your favorite plant in this painted ceramic clog planter.

Got Amsterdam? onesie – Outfit Junior in this onesie and you’re sure to get a smile from other Dutch fans.

I’d Rather Be in Amsterdam tank top – You can tell the world where you really want to be (no matter where you are) with this tank top.

Amsterdam T-shirt – This simple tee has a retro-styled “Amsterdam” logo across the front.

Dutch clog T-shirt – For a bit more whimsy, this tee has a clog-shaped Dutch flag on the front.

Ajax T-shirt – Are you an Ajax fan? Show your loyalty with this tee.

Amsterdam ballcap – If baseball caps are more your style, this Amsterdam cap may be just what you’re looking for.

Amsterdam Marijuana T-shirt – Wearing this tee, you’ll leave no doubt about your favorite part of Amsterdam.

clog photo at the top by sweethaa

As a gateway to most European cities, the city of Amsterdam – although renowned for its tourism – is viewed as a perfect city in which to base and conduct business.

With a high trade and financial services orientation (this sector employs around 120,000 individuals) business in this bustling, vibrant city is frequently conducted with major players in, for example, Berlin, Edinburgh, Paris, Rome, London and Madrid.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the world’s 5th busiest airport and it’s through here that thousands of tourists and businessmen/women pass on a monthly basis via more than 270 different world-wide destinations.

Business in a Nutshell

The world’s first stock exchange was created in Amsterdam and became the blueprint for similar ventures around the world. Today Amsterdam’s Central Bank is based here together with regional offices from some of the world’s biggest names in the banking industry. Earlier this year the world’s largest bank, the Chinese ICBC, opened a branch office in Amsterdam.

Many of the industry’s newcomers to Amsterdam are concentrated in the city’s financial zone, otherwise known as the Holland Financial Centre Plaza.

But it’s not just in finance that commerce is growing. Last year more than 122 new international companies – the majority from Asia – put down roots in the city of Amsterdam and surrounding area, bringing the total foreign business make-up to more than 2000. Recent recruits include the American multi-national firm Mastercard, Brit Insurance, Japan’s Yakult and huge Indian IT firm Dot Com. Existing world players are diverse and include Unilever, Nissan, Royal Dutch/Shell and Rank Xerox.

All this foreign blood gives Amsterdam a rather cosmopolitan feel. Yet the city is still small enough for any businessman/woman and newcomer to negotiate his or her way around.

Working Ethos

Time is hardly of the essence in Amsterdam. By that we mean it can take long periods for business decisions to be made. This is because these tend to be by consensus rather than dictated by a hierarchical management structure.

It’s as well to remember too that extroverts won’t fare particularly well in a business meeting in Amsterdam, according to much of the business literature of the day. Flamboyant, loud and aggressive gestures are actually frowned upon. So too is hogging the meeting or being overly-opinionated.

Meetings can also seem rather more serious than those in perhaps America or the UK but, on the plus side, you’ll find your Dutch business colleagues very sincere and straight to the point, perhaps even unintentionally blunt. Just don’t take it to heart.

Socialising with Colleagues

The work-life balance is well and truly alive and kicking in Amsterdam. Recently voted the country with the best ratio of work and leisure, employees in Amsterdam enjoy the shortest working week of most of the world’s industrialised nations at around 35 hours.

Numerous studies have shown that fewer working hours lead to a more motivated and happier workforce, and that people are able to concentrate better.

A worldwide study conducted in 2008 put Amsterdam in 13th position from 235 cities when it came to quality of life.

Perhaps it’s because this liberal and welcoming city enjoys a mix of nationalities and cultures – reflected in its varied restaurants and club scene. Both the Rembrantplein and Leidseplein are excellent entertaining areas for visiting business colleagues. For more sombre socialising the city’s numerous coffee shops fit the bill perfectly. And for those with an artistic bent, there are the famous galleries and museums displaying works by Van Gogh, Gaugin, Monet, Rembrandt and Vermeer.

Accommodation

Most visiting business colleagues prefer to stay in a location where they can rely on facilities such as Wi-Fi, scanners and fax machines. The Holiday Inn Amsterdam is popular for this reason, so too is the Mercure Hotel and Amsterdam Hilton. None of these are particularly expensive and all come with parking provision and dining facilities. They also have meeting rooms available for impromptu discussions or larger conference facilities.

Getting Around

Amsterdam is, of course, famous for its 160 canals, footbridges and 90 different islands. The Floating Dutchman is the city’s latest travel innovation and is a fun cross between a bus and a boat. It picks up customers at Schiphol Airport (as a bus) and deposits them in a canal in the city centre for a 45 minute tour (as a boat). Any visiting businessman or woman would be impressed at this spectacle.

Cycling is also a big deal in this city of narrow lanes. You’ll find numerous designated areas for bikes only and hundreds of places to park your bike. And for the visiting business colleague there are plenty of bike rental shops. Indeed it’s not unusual to find businessmen or women cycling to work in a pin-stripe suit!

photos by Perpetualtourist2000, The Next Web, FaceMePLS

National Windmill Day falls on the 2nd Saturday in May each year, and usually the festivities span over the course of the whole weekend. Windmills around the Netherlands are decorated for National Windmill Day, and the popular thing to do is to visit windmills for demonstrations of how they work by the millers who still operate them. At some windmills, there are special art exhibits or concerts during the weekend.

While you can certainly visit any of the hundreds of windmills located throughout the country, you don’t have to leave Amsterdam to tour a windmill on National Windmill Day – there are eight in the city limits (although outside the city center).

The only windmill in Amsterdam that’s open to the public is the Sloten Windmill (Molen van Sloten) located to the west of the city center. It’s not only open to the public on a regular basis, it’s also still in use – so what you’re seeing isn’t a re-creation in a museum but a fully operational windmill.

If you’re looking for windmills further outside Amsterdam, you can look them up using the country’s windmills database (it’s in Dutch only).

photos, top to bottom, by: Alter Wolf, Oculus Prime

Although Antwerp is served by an airport, it only serves flights to/from the UK. Both Brussels Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport are located close by and are well connected to the city of Antwerp.

Regardless of why you need to travel between Amsterdam and Antwerp, you should know the means of transport available and how much it would cost before you start making any vacation plans.

Quick summary

The cheapest option to travel between Amsterdam and Antwerp is by bus. You’ll travel for about 4 hours but the single ticket is €18.

Trains from Amsterdam to Antwerp

There are direct trains from Amsterdam and Antwerp (Antwerpen Centraal). You can see the timetables on the SNCB website, but you cannot purchase the tickets from there. Trains depart Amsterdam Centraal daily, every hour. The travel time is 2h 7 min.

But you can check the schedules and book the tickets via HiSpeed , which links the Thalys (Eurostar trains ) and the IC trains between Amsterdam Centraal and Antwerpen Centraal. A single adult ticket costs from €91 and the travel time is between 1h 12 min (on Thalys) and 2h 12 min (on IC trains).

>>read more about the Amsterdam Centraal Station area

Buses from Amsterdam to Antwerp

Eurolines offers direct buses between Amsterdam and Antwerp . There are up to 7 departures daily; the first bus leaves Amsterdam at 8:30 a.m. and the last one at 7 p.m. The travel time is 3h 45 min and the single adult ticket costs €18.

Should you need to travel from Antwerp to Amsterdam, the first bus leaves at 7:15 a.m. and the last one at 7 p.m. If you buy a return ticket, it would cost €25 per person.

Driving from Amsterdam to Antwerp

Another option is to rent a car and drive the 160 km between Amsterdam and Antwerp. It should take about 1h 45 min and you’ll drive on A2 and A27, which are not toll roads.

View Larger Map

Photo credit

It is totally different than Amsterdam; instead of canals, it has streets and avenues; instead of typical 7th-century step-gabled houses, it has 18th-century mansions in baroque and classicist styles; in short, it has a more continental feel than the capital.

Quick summary

The only public transportation option between Amsterdam and The Hague is the train, which takes about an hour and costs little more than €10.

Flights from Amsterdam (airport code: AMS) to the Hague

Amsterdam Airport Shiphol (AMS) is the biggest and busiest airports in Netherlands and also one of the biggest travel hubs in Europe. It is located about 9 km from the city center and is hub for Amsterdam Airlines, Arkefly, Corendon Dutch Airlines, KLM, Martinair, Transavia, Tristar Air and Vueling.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) is the third largest airport in Netherlands and serves Rotterdam and The Hague. It is hub for Transavia.

Considering the short distance between the two cities (70 km), there aren’t any direct flights between the two airports and connecting flights start at €218 per person, one way on KLM, during late fall. Slightly cheaper airfare can be booked for spring (March 2012), starting at €197 per person, one way on Air France. The total travel time is 3h 40 min.

>>read more about Flights to Schiphol

Trains from Amsterdam to the Hague

The trains between Amsterdam and The Hague are operated by NS . When you search for timetables and want to book a ticket, make sure to use the Dutch name of the city (i.e. Den Haag). Trains depart Amsterdam Centraal daily, every 30 min. The first train departs at 5:41 a.m. and the last is at 00:40 a.m. The travel time is about 50 min and the single adult 2nd class ticket is €10.20.

If you need to travel from The Hague to Amsterdam, the first train leaves at 5:58 a.m. and the last is at 11:58 p.m.

>>read more about the Amsterdam Centraal Station area

Driving from Amsterdam to the Hague

You can rent a car and drive the 70 km between Amsterdam and The Hague in about an hour via A4.

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It mostly appeals to tourists because of its historical old center and shopping opportunities. Those who visit Amsterdam, often plan to go to Maastricht, as well, before moving on to other countries near-by.

Quick summary

Although Maastricht is served by a small airport, the flights from Amsterdam were discontinued in late 2008, leaving travelers to choose between trains and renting a car.

Trains from Amsterdam to Maastricht

The trains from Amsterdam to Maastricht are operated by NS . They leave Amsterdam Centraal daily, about every 30 minutes. The first train departs Amsterdam at 6:08 a.m., while the latest is at 10:38 p.m. The travel time is 2h 26 min. A single 2nd class adult ticket costs €22.80.

Should you need to travel from Maastricht to Amsterdam, the firs train leaves at 5:24 a.m. and the latest is at 10:26 p.m.

>>read more about the Amsterdam Centraal Station area

Driving from Amsterdam to Maastricht

The driving distance between Amsterdam and Maastricht is 214 km – via A4 – so it is a good idea to rent a car for your journey . You should be able to get between the two cities in about 2h 20 min.

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