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"If
you haven't been to Amsterdam recently, then it is definitely
time you did."
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Returning ten years after my first visit, I was surprised that
I had left it so long and why was I only staying for three
days...this was never going to be enough time to do
everything! Initial impressions are important and one of
the things I really like about Amsterdam is the ease in which
you can travel to the city centre.
While some cities build their airports so far out of town that
you feel you have arrived in a different country, Amsterdam's
Schipol Airport is a swift and comfortable 15 minute train
journey from the city centre. And the second thing I
like is the fact that Amsterdam is one of those cities blessed
with an abundance of hotels, which suit all budgets.
This city loves people...why else would it have so many
pedestrianised areas which makes shopping a pleasure and believe
me this is a great shopping city for both men and women at
prices which are on average 15-20 per cent cheaper than the
UK.
Dam Square is as good a place as any to start, where you will
find two department stores to choose from and leading off the
square are cobbled streets, which offer an abundance of
individual boutiques. Just behind the Royal Palace is
one of my favourite places, the Magna Plaza. This is one
of the most beautiful buildings in Amsterdam and until some
years ago housed the main Post Office. Today it is the
home of trendy clothing stores and unusual gift and gadget
shops. If you are in need of a label fix then head for
P.C. Hoofstraat where you will find designer boutiques
conveniently situated along one street.
When it comes to dining out, once again you will be spoilt for
choice. Amsterdam offers the full spectrum of fare from
traditional Dutch brown cafes through to five star gourmet
restaurants. But my favourite Amsterdam speciality is
the rijsttafel, originally Indonesian, it has now become part
of Dutch culture. The meal consists of many different
dishes so make sure you sit at a large table! The
various plates are brought in a steady succession and jostle
for space. Over the course of the meal you will probably
taste more than a dozen different dishes of a mixture of fish,
vegetables, chicken and meat. The spiciness varies from
mild to hot but the mixture of Asian flavours is unforgettably
delicious.
For a weekend break I can't think of a more attractive city
than Amsterdam, the Dutch are very welcoming and almost
everyone speaks English. It's also a city with a
wonderfully preserved historic centre and because the trams
are extremely efficient and cheap, it's a city which is a
pleasure to travel around.
Three days turned out to be definitely not enough time to do
everything so I returned to Amsterdam just two months
later...trying to fit in all the things I didn't get around to
the pervious visit. So my final piece of advice is...
"Plan your weekend well or you too will run out of
time!"
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Don't
forget
TMG Leisure can help you
to create your own independent package to let you experience
Amsterdam. Under the protection of our ATOL licence
you have the freedom to explore with the peace of mind of
having booked your travel with one of the UK's most respected independent travel companies.
Amsterdam
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Call TMG
Leisure on
Tel: 01926 332 223
or email us |
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