The Rough Guide To Amsterdam Part 1

The Rough Guide to Amsterdam.

by Martin Dunford.

Introduction to Amsterdam [image]

Amsterdam gables [image]

Oudeschans ca.n.a.l Amsterdam has grown up in the past decade or so. It is a slicker, more cosmopolitan place than it once was, more business-minded, less eccentric, and overall more integrated into the European mainstream. Yet it still enjoys a reputation as one of Europe's most relaxed cities and with some justification. There's a laid-back feel to the streets and ca.n.a.ls (and its people) that you just don't get in any other European city. Of course, it remains a place for Sixties throwbacks who just want to get stoned, and for well-oiled gangs of blokes on the prowl in the still notorious Red Light District. But it also has a small-city feel: it doesn't take long to get from place to place, and thanks to its ca.n.a.ls many parts of the centre are uncongested and peaceful.

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Amsterdam's welcoming att.i.tude towards visitors has been shaped by the liberal counterculture of the last four decades, but it's emphatically no longer the hippy haven it once was. In fact, in the last few years the city has been more or less absorbed into the rest of Europe, with not only high-end bars and clubs muscling in on its more traditional haunts, but also with the emergence of crime and drug problems that for decades seemed to have pa.s.sed Amsterdam by. However, some things haven't changed, and it's hard not to feel drawn by its vibrant, open-air summer events, by the cheery intimacy of its cafes, and by the Dutch facility with languages; just about everyone you meet in Amsterdam will be able to speak good-to-fluent English, and often more than a smattering of French and German too.

Amsterdam is still far from being as diverse a city as, say, London or Paris; despite the huge numbers of immigrants from the former colonies in Surinam and Indonesia, as well as from Morocco and Turkey, to name but a few, almost all live and work outside the centre and can seem almost invisible to the casual visitor. Indeed, there is an ethnic and social h.o.m.ogeneity in the city centre that seems to counter everything you may have heard about Dutch integration. It's a contradiction that is typical of Amsterdam. The city is world-famous as a place where the possession and sale of cannabis are effectively legal or at least decriminalized and yet for the most part Amsterdammers themselves don't really partake in the stuff. And while Amsterdam is renowned for its tolerance towards all styles of behaviour, a primmer, more conventional big city, with a more mainstream dress sense, would be hard to find. Indeed, these days the city is trying to reinvent itself, geared towards a more up-market kind of tourist who is a little less fixated on smoking and drinking. In recent years, a string of hardline city mayors have had some success in diminis.h.i.+ng Amsterdam's image as a counterculture icon, instead touting it as a centre for business and international high finance. Almost all of the inner-city squats, which once defined local people-power, are gone or legalized; many coffeeshops, especially those in the Red Light District, are closing; and the Red Light District itself for years the beacon of the city's laissez-faire att.i.tude is being cleaned up, and many of its sleaziest establishments closed down. The cityscape, too, continues to evolve, with large-scale urban development on the outskirts and regeneration within.

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Ca.n.a.l house on Prinsengracht Nevertheless, Amsterdam remains a casual and intimate place, and Amsterdammers themselves make much of their city and its attractions being gezellig gezellig, a rather overused Dutch word roughly corresponding to a combination of "cosy", "lived-in" and "warmly convivial". Nowhere is this more applicable than in the city's unparalleled selection of drinking drinking places, whether you choose a traditional brown cafe or one of a raft of newer, more stylish bars. The city boasts dozens of excellent places, whether you choose a traditional brown cafe or one of a raft of newer, more stylish bars. The city boasts dozens of excellent restaurants restaurants too, with great Indonesian options and a host of increasingly adventurous Dutch establishments. As for too, with great Indonesian options and a host of increasingly adventurous Dutch establishments. As for cultural attractions cultural attractions, the city holds its own in contemporary European film, dance, drama and music; it harbours several top-notch jazz venues, as well as the Concertgebouw, home to one of the world's leading orchestras, and the state-of-the-art Muziekgebouw, the city's prestigious venue for opera and orchestral music. The club scene is relatively restrained, although a wealth of gay bars gay bars and clubs partly justifies Amsterdam's claim to be the "Gay Capital of Europe". and clubs partly justifies Amsterdam's claim to be the "Gay Capital of Europe".

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Amsterdam bicycle Introduction to Amsterdam So much to see, so little time... So much to see, so little time...Amsterdam is perfect for short breaks: it's small, so you can amble about almost everywhere and see pretty much everything; there are very few must-see sights, so you don't have to spend half your time feeling guilty about the cultural icons you should be visiting; and there are literally hundreds of enticing bars, cafes and restaurants where you can take the weight off your feet between attractions. The itineraries below give an idea of how to plan your time. Mostly designed around key sights, they cover everything from a flying visit to a full week in the city, and can be used as rigidly, or as flexibly, as you like.Two daysDam Square * Anne Frank Huis * Red Light District * Oude Kerk * Rijksmuseum * Van Gogh Museum * Leidseplein * Grachtengordel South * Museum Van Loon/Museum Willet-Holthuysen * RembrandtpleinThree daysAs above, plus:Westerkerk * Koninklijk Paleis * Brouwersgracht * Western docklandsFive daysAs above, plus:Rembrandthuis * Waterlooplein * Verzetsmuseum * Artis Zoo * Tropenmuseum * Heineken Experience * De Pijp * Vondelpark * Museumtramlijn * Amsterdamse Bos * Amsterdam ArenASeven daysAs above, plus:Stedelijk Museum * Esnoga * Joods Historisch Museum * Eastern docklands * Amsterdam Noord * Haarlem * Keukenhof Gardens

Where to go The city's layout is determined by a web of ca.n.a.ls radiating out from a historical core to loop right round Amsterdam's compact centre, which takes about forty minutes to stroll from one end to the other. b.u.t.ting up to the River IJ, the Old Centre Old Centre spreads south from spreads south from Centraal Station Centraal Station bisected by the Damrak and its continuation, the Rokin, the city's main drag; en route is the Dam, the main square. The Old Centre remains Amsterdam's commercial heart, as well as the hub of its bustling street life, and also holds myriad shops, bars and restaurants. The area is also home to the bisected by the Damrak and its continuation, the Rokin, the city's main drag; en route is the Dam, the main square. The Old Centre remains Amsterdam's commercial heart, as well as the hub of its bustling street life, and also holds myriad shops, bars and restaurants. The area is also home to the Red Light District Red Light District, just to the east of the Damrak, and contains dozens of fine old buildings, most memorably the Oude Kerk, the Amstelkring and the Koninklijk Paleis.

The Old Centre is bordered by the first of the major ca.n.a.ls, the Singel, whose curve is mirrored by those of the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht collectively known as the Grachtengordel Grachtengordel, or "Girdle of Ca.n.a.ls". These waterways were part of a major seventeenth-century urban extension and, with the interconnecting radial streets, form the city's distinctive web shape. This is Amsterdam's most delightful area, full of the handsome seventeenth- and eighteenth-century ca.n.a.l houses, with their decorative gables, and narrow, dreamy ca.n.a.ls, that most people a.s.sociate with the city; a well-worn image, perhaps, but one that is still entirely authentic. Here you'll also find perhaps the city's most celebrated attraction, the Anne Frank Huis Anne Frank Huis, the house in which the young Jewish diarist hid away during the German occupation of World War II, now a poignant reminder of the Holocaust.

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Leidsegracht Immediately to the west of the Grachtengordel lies the Jordaan Jordaan, one-time industrial slum and the traditional heart of working-cla.s.s Amsterdam, though these days almost entirely gentrified. The same applies to the adjacent Western docklands Western docklands, although the origins of this district are very different; the artificial islands of the Westerdok were dredged out of the river to create extra wharves and s.h.i.+pbuilding s.p.a.ce during the seventeenth century, and only in the last few decades has the s.h.i.+pping industry moved out.

On the other side of the centre is the Old Jewish Quarter Old Jewish Quarter, home to a thriving Jewish community until the German occupation of World War II. Postwar development laid a heavy hand on the quarter, but nonetheless there are a couple of significant survivors, princ.i.p.ally the Esnoga Esnoga (Portuguese Synagogue) and the (Portuguese Synagogue) and the Joods Historisch Museum Joods Historisch Museum (Jewish Historical Museum). The adjacent Plantagebuurt is greener and more suburban, but it does possess one excellent museum, the (Jewish Historical Museum). The adjacent Plantagebuurt is greener and more suburban, but it does possess one excellent museum, the Verzetsmuseum Verzetsmuseum (Resistance Museum); the neighbouring (Resistance Museum); the neighbouring Eastern docklands Eastern docklands, in particular Zeeburg, is another formerly industrial area that has undergone rapid renewal as have some parts of Amsterdam Noord, just across the river from Centraal Station. Amsterdam's Museum Quarter Museum Quarter contains, as you might expect, the city's premier art museums, princ.i.p.ally the contains, as you might expect, the city's premier art museums, princ.i.p.ally the Rijksmuseum Rijksmuseum with its wonderful collection of Dutch paintings, including several of Rembrandt's finest works, and the excellent with its wonderful collection of Dutch paintings, including several of Rembrandt's finest works, and the excellent Van Gogh Museum Van Gogh Museum, which holds the world's largest collection of the artist's work. Both lie just a stone's throw from the city's finest park, the Vondelpark Vondelpark.

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Traditional cafe Finally, the residential suburbs or outer districts outer districts spreading beyond Singelgracht are relatively short of attractions notable exceptions being the wooded parkland of the spreading beyond Singelgracht are relatively short of attractions notable exceptions being the wooded parkland of the Amsterdamse Bos Amsterdamse Bos and the and the Amsterdam ArenA Amsterdam ArenA, home to the city's celebrated Ajax football team.

Talk to Amsterdammers about visiting other parts of their country and you may well be met with looks of amazement. Ignore them. The Netherlands is a small nation, and the Dutch have an outstanding public transport system, an integrated network of trains and buses that makes a large and varied slice of the country easily reachable. Consequently, the choice of possible day day-trips is extensive; the towns of is extensive; the towns of Haarlem Haarlem and and Alkmaar Alkmaar, the old Zuider Zee ports of Marken Marken and and Volendam Volendam, and the pretty town of Edam Edam are all worth a visit not to mention the much-touted are all worth a visit not to mention the much-touted Keukenhof Gardens Keukenhof Gardens, which are at their best during spring and early summer.

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Amsterdam bar

When to go Amsterdam enjoys a fairly standard, temperate climate climate, with warm summers and moderately cold and wet winters. The weather is certainly not severe enough to make much difference to the city's routines. That said, high summer roughly late June to August sees the city packed to the gunnels, with parts of the centre almost overwhelmed by the tourist throng, whereas spring and autumn are not too crowded and can be especially beautiful, with mist hanging over the ca.n.a.ls and low sunlight beaming through the cloud cover. At any time of the year, but particularly in summer, try to book your accommodation in advance.

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20 things not to miss It isn't possible to see everything Amsterdam has to offer on a short trip, and we don't suggest you try. What follows, in no particular order, is a subjective selection of the city's highlights, from elegant ca.n.a.l-side architecture and vibrant markets to outstanding art collections and traditional bars.

01 The Jordaan The Jordaan * The Jordaan holds many of the city's most diverting secondhand and bric-a-brac shops and some of its prettiest ca.n.a.ls. * The Jordaan holds many of the city's most diverting secondhand and bric-a-brac shops and some of its prettiest ca.n.a.ls.

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02 Bloemenmarkt Bloemenmarkt * Ma.s.ses of colourful blooms for sale, including of course tulips. * Ma.s.ses of colourful blooms for sale, including of course tulips.

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03 Coffeeshops Coffeeshops * Nowhere else in the world can you smoke high-quality dope in such comfortable and legal surroundings. * Nowhere else in the world can you smoke high-quality dope in such comfortable and legal surroundings.

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04 The Begijnhof The Begijnhof * The fourteenth-century Begijnhof is one of the quietest and prettiest corners of the city centre. * The fourteenth-century Begijnhof is one of the quietest and prettiest corners of the city centre.

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05 The Grachtengordel The Grachtengordel * The elegant bends and handsome ca.n.a.l houses of the city's seventeenth-century extension are what makes the city unique. * The elegant bends and handsome ca.n.a.l houses of the city's seventeenth-century extension are what makes the city unique.

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06 Concertgebouw Concertgebouw * One of the finest concert halls in Europe, attracting some of the biggest names in cla.s.sical music and opera. * One of the finest concert halls in Europe, attracting some of the biggest names in cla.s.sical music and opera.

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07 Brown cafes Brown cafes * Amsterdam is famous for its brown cafes dark, cosy and very traditional. * Amsterdam is famous for its brown cafes dark, cosy and very traditional.

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08 Koninklijk Paleis Koninklijk Paleis * Co-opted by the Dutch royals but originally Amsterdam's town hall, this building speaks volumes about the city during the Golden Age. * Co-opted by the Dutch royals but originally Amsterdam's town hall, this building speaks volumes about the city during the Golden Age.

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09 Anne Frank Huis Anne Frank Huis * The museum created in the Secret Annex home to Anne Frank and her family for two years during World War II is the city's most moving sight. * The museum created in the Secret Annex home to Anne Frank and her family for two years during World War II is the city's most moving sight.

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10 The Vondelpark The Vondelpark * The leafy Vondelpark, with its ponds, footpaths and colony of parrots, is the city's most attractive park. * The leafy Vondelpark, with its ponds, footpaths and colony of parrots, is the city's most attractive park.

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11 Van Gogh Museum Van Gogh Museum * The world's most comprehensive collection of the artist's work simply unmissable. * The world's most comprehensive collection of the artist's work simply unmissable.

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12 Queen's Day Queen's Day * Amsterdammers let their hair down on Queen's Day (Koninginnedag), the city's biggest and wildest munic.i.p.al knees-up. * Amsterdammers let their hair down on Queen's Day (Koninginnedag), the city's biggest and wildest munic.i.p.al knees-up.

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13 Oude Kerk Oude Kerk * The city's oldest and most venerable church, slap-bang in the middle of the Red Light District. * The city's oldest and most venerable church, slap-bang in the middle of the Red Light District.

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14 Indonesian food Indonesian food * Fill up on Amsterdam's ethnic food speciality. * Fill up on Amsterdam's ethnic food speciality.

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15 Amstelkring Amstelkring * The last of the city's clandestine Catholic churches now holds a fascinating museum. * The last of the city's clandestine Catholic churches now holds a fascinating museum.

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16 The Eastern docklands The Eastern docklands * The city's most resurgent district, with some of its coolest bars and restaurants, and landmark contemporary architecture. * The city's most resurgent district, with some of its coolest bars and restaurants, and landmark contemporary architecture.

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17 Cycling Cycling * Get around the city like a local by renting a bike for the day. * Get around the city like a local by renting a bike for the day.

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18 Proeflokalen Proeflokalen * Served ice-cold, jenever, the Dutch version of gin, is the nation's favourite spirit, and these "tasting-houses" are the traditional places to sample it in its various flavours. * Served ice-cold, jenever, the Dutch version of gin, is the nation's favourite spirit, and these "tasting-houses" are the traditional places to sample it in its various flavours.

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19 The Heineken Experience The Heineken Experience * Although this is no longer a working brewery, the compensation is an excellent museum devoted to the art of brewing with a few beers thrown in along the way. * Although this is no longer a working brewery, the compensation is an excellent museum devoted to the art of brewing with a few beers thrown in along the way.

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20 Rijksmuseum Rijksmuseum * The city's greatest museum featuring everything from paintings to furniture and applied arts is undergoing restoration, but you can still see the best of its paintings in the Philips Wing. * The city's greatest museum featuring everything from paintings to furniture and applied arts is undergoing restoration, but you can still see the best of its paintings in the Philips Wing.

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Basics Getting there Arrival Getting around The media Travel essentials

Getting there UK travellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding how to get to Amsterdam. There are plenty of flights, from all over the UK, and taking the train through the Channel Tunnel is just as easy not much cheaper, but almost as quick. Bus travel is probably the most affordable option; and by car, deals for drivers on ferry routes into Dutch and Belgian ports are particularly compet.i.tive. From North America and Canada the main decision is whether to fly direct easy enough as Schiphol is a major international air travel hub, served by dozens of short- and long-haul airlines or to route via London, picking up a budget flight onwards from there. From Australia and New Zealand, all flights to Amsterdam require one or two stops on the way; from South Africa, direct flights are available.

Getting there Flights from the UK and Ireland Amsterdam is one of the UK UK's most popular short-haul destinations, and you'll find loads of choice in carriers, flight times and departure airports. Aside from the major full-service carriers (KLM, British Airways and BMI), there are plenty of no-frills airlines operating flights to Amsterdam, including EasyJet, BMIbaby, Transavia and Jet2.com, as well as a few business-oriented, smaller carriers such as VLM.

Flights to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport Schiphol Airport (p.r.o.nounced skip-oll) take roughly an hour from London, or ninety minutes from Scotland and the north of England. There's a good number of daily flights out of London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City plus nonstop flights from many of the UK's (p.r.o.nounced skip-oll) take roughly an hour from London, or ninety minutes from Scotland and the north of England. There's a good number of daily flights out of London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City plus nonstop flights from many of the UK's regional airports regional airports, including Birmingham, East Midlands, Cardiff, Southampton, Norwich, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds-Bradford, Humberside, Newcastle, Teesside, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Whichever route you choose, it's hard to say precisely what you'll pay pay at any given time: the price depends hugely on when you book and when you fly, what offers are available and how lucky you are. However, flying to Amsterdam with one of the low-cost airlines between April and September, you'll pay around 120 return travelling at convenient times at the weekend, including taxes, as opposed to 160 with one of the full-service carriers. Weekday travel will cost 5070 with a budget carrier, 100 or so with a full-service airline. If you want more flexibility with your ticket you'll pay more, as you will if you book at the last minute economy return tickets from London to Amsterdam can cost anything up to 400. All carriers offer their lowest prices online. at any given time: the price depends hugely on when you book and when you fly, what offers are available and how lucky you are. However, flying to Amsterdam with one of the low-cost airlines between April and September, you'll pay around 120 return travelling at convenient times at the weekend, including taxes, as opposed to 160 with one of the full-service carriers. Weekday travel will cost 5070 with a budget carrier, 100 or so with a full-service airline. If you want more flexibility with your ticket you'll pay more, as you will if you book at the last minute economy return tickets from London to Amsterdam can cost anything up to 400. All carriers offer their lowest prices online.

Flying to Amsterdam from Northern Ireland Northern Ireland, the most economical option is with EasyJet out of Belfast International (fares are around 100). From the Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland, Aer Lingus flies five times daily to Amsterdam from Dublin and twice daily from Cork, for a minimum 80100 return, depending on the season, with fares rising at peak times.

Getting there Flights from the US and Canada Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is among the most popular and least expensive gateways to Europe from North America and Canada North America and Canada, and finding a convenient and good-value flight is rarely a problem. Direct flights Direct flights are operated by KLM/Northwest, Continental and Delta Airlines; many more fly are operated by KLM/Northwest, Continental and Delta Airlines; many more fly via London via London and other European centres and are nearly always cheaper because of it. and other European centres and are nearly always cheaper because of it.

Virtually every region of the US and Canada is well served by the major airlines. KLM and Northwest, which operate a joint service, offer the widest range of flights, with direct or one-stop flights to Amsterdam from eleven US cities, and connections from dozens more. From elsewhere in the US, the Dutch charter firm Martinair flies year-round from Miami direct to Amsterdam. United also flies direct to Amsterdam from Chicago, while Delta operates from Atlanta and New York; Continental from Houston.

Booking far enough in advance, you should be able to find a fare fare between April and September for $700900 return from New York (flight time 8hr 10min) or Chicago (8hr), $9001000 from Atlanta (10hr), and around $1000 from LA (10hr 30min), though booking less than a couple of weeks in advance can push these prices up considerably. between April and September for $700900 return from New York (flight time 8hr 10min) or Chicago (8hr), $9001000 from Atlanta (10hr), and around $1000 from LA (10hr 30min), though booking less than a couple of weeks in advance can push these prices up considerably.

From Canada Canada, KLM flies direct to Amsterdam year-round from Vancouver (9hr 30min) and from Toronto (7hr 10min). There are also plenty of one-stop options via Frankfurt, London and Paris. Fares Fares from Toronto go for around Can$1100, from Vancouver around Can$1400. from Toronto go for around Can$1100, from Vancouver around Can$1400.

Getting there Flights from the US and Canada Flights from the US and Canada Six steps to a better kind of travel Six steps to a better kind of travelAt Rough Guides we are pa.s.sionately committed to travel. We feel strongly that only through travelling do we truly come to understand the world we live in and the people we share it with plus tourism has brought a great deal of benefit benefit to developing economies around the world over the last few decades. But the extraordinary growth in tourism has also damaged some places irreparably, and of course to developing economies around the world over the last few decades. But the extraordinary growth in tourism has also damaged some places irreparably, and of course climate change climate change is exacerbated by most forms of transport, especially flying. This means that now more than ever it's important to is exacerbated by most forms of transport, especially flying. This means that now more than ever it's important to travel thoughtfully travel thoughtfully and and responsibly responsibly, with respect for the cultures you're visiting not only to derive the most benefit from your trip but also to preserve the best bits of the planet for everyone to enjoy. At Rough Guides we feel there are six main areas in which you can make a difference:* Consider what you're contributing to the local economy local economy, and how much the services you use do the same, whether it's through employing local workers and guides or sourcing locally grown produce and local services.* Consider the environment environment on holiday as well as at home. Water is scarce in many developing destinations, and the biodiversity of local flora and fauna can be adversely affected by tourism. Try to patronize businesses that take account of this. on holiday as well as at home. Water is scarce in many developing destinations, and the biodiversity of local flora and fauna can be adversely affected by tourism. Try to patronize businesses that take account of this.* Travel with a purpose, not just to tick off experiences. Consider spending longer spending longer in a place, and getting to know it and its people. in a place, and getting to know it and its people.* Give thought to how often you fly fly. Try to avoid short hops by air and more harmful night flights.* Consider alternatives to flying alternatives to flying, travelling instead by bus, train, boat and even by bike or on foot where possible.* Make your trips "climate neutral" via a reputable carbon offset scheme. All Rough Guide flights are offset, and every year we donate money to a variety of charities devoted to combating the effects of climate change.

Getting there Flights from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa There are no direct flights no direct flights to the Netherlands from to the Netherlands from Australia and New Zealand Australia and New Zealand: all involve at least one stop. Singapore Airways and Malaysian offer the most direct routes out of Sydney (stopping in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur respectively). Thai, Austrian and Qantas all have two stops (Bangkok/Munich, Bangkok/Vienna and Singapore/London). Flights from Christchurch go via Sydney and London and from Wellington via Melbourne or Sydney and London. One further option is to pick up a cheap ticket to London, and then continue your journey to Amsterdam with one of the no-frills budget airlines airlines.

From South Africa South Africa, KLM offers direct flights direct flights to Amsterdam, with services from Cape Town and Johannesburg. South African Airways offers one-stop flights via London and Frankfurt or Munich; Lufthansa via Frankfurt; and Virgin Atlantic via London. to Amsterdam, with services from Cape Town and Johannesburg. South African Airways offers one-stop flights via London and Frankfurt or Munich; Lufthansa via Frankfurt; and Virgin Atlantic via London.

Fares from Sydney or Melbourne are around A$18002000, and from Auckland A$2200. A return flight from Christchurch or Wellington will set you back around NZ$3000. Flights with KLM from Cape Town cost around R8600; from Johannesburg, R7300. Indirect flights via London or Frankfurt cost around R8000. from Sydney or Melbourne are around A$18002000, and from Auckland A$2200. A return flight from Christchurch or Wellington will set you back around NZ$3000. Flights with KLM from Cape Town cost around R8600; from Johannesburg, R7300. Indirect flights via London or Frankfurt cost around R8000.

Getting there By train The simplest and quickest way to travel from the UK to Amsterdam by train train is to take the is to take the Eurostar Eurostar service from London nonstop to Brussels. Trains depart from St Pancras International station (1hr 59min) in central London; and from Ebbsfleet International station (1hr 48min), off Junction 2 of the M25. Trains arrive at Bruxelles-Midi station (Brussel-Zuid in Dutch), from where plenty of fast trains including the service from London nonstop to Brussels. Trains depart from St Pancras International station (1hr 59min) in central London; and from Ebbsfleet International station (1hr 48min), off Junction 2 of the M25. Trains arrive at Bruxelles-Midi station (Brussel-Zuid in Dutch), from where plenty of fast trains including the Thalys Thalys high-speed services ( high-speed services (www.thalys.com) head on to Amsterdam (around 2hr 30min). The total journey time from London is around six hours, and Eurostar can arrange a through ticket from any point in the UK.

A standard return fare fare to Amsterdam costs around 150, but special deals are commonplace, especially in the low season; and you can also sometimes reduce costs by accepting certain ticket restrictions. Book through Rail Europe or directly through the Eurostar website (for both, see " to Amsterdam costs around 150, but special deals are commonplace, especially in the low season; and you can also sometimes reduce costs by accepting certain ticket restrictions. Book through Rail Europe or directly through the Eurostar website (for both, see "Rail contacts").

The Dutch Railways website (www.ns.nl) can give full timetable timetable details (in English) of trains from stations in the UK to any station in the Netherlands. details (in English) of trains from stations in the UK to any station in the Netherlands.

A much longer but cheaper rail-and-ferry route rail-and-ferry route, the Dutchflyer Dutchflyer, is available through Stena Line in conjunction with National Express East Anglia trains. The journey operates twice daily (early morning and evening) with trains trains departing London's Liverpool Street station bound for Harwich, where they connect with the departing London's Liverpool Street station bound for Harwich, where they connect with the ferry ferry over to the Hook of Holland the Hoek van Holland. The whole journey takes between nine and eleven hours. From the Hook, there are frequent trains onto Rotterdam (every 30min to 1hr; 30min), where you change for Amsterdam (1hr). As for over to the Hook of Holland the Hoek van Holland. The whole journey takes between nine and eleven hours. From the Hook, there are frequent trains onto Rotterdam (every 30min to 1hr; 30min), where you change for Amsterdam (1hr). As for fares fares, a standard return costs 70, 90 on an overnight sailing, cabin included cabins are compulsory on overnight sailings. Tickets are available from National Express East Anglia trains or you can book online with Stena.

Getting there By bus Travelling by long long-distance bus is generally the cheapest way of reaching Amsterdam from the UK, but it is very time-consuming: the journey from London to Amsterdam takes twelve hours or more. is generally the cheapest way of reaching Amsterdam from the UK, but it is very time-consuming: the journey from London to Amsterdam takes twelve hours or more. Eurolines Eurolines operates four services daily (8am, 10am, 8pm & 10pm) from London to Amsterdam, all using Eurotunnel. A standard fare is 56 return (under-26s and over-60s pay 53) though promotional return fares can be snapped up for much less. operates four services daily (8am, 10am, 8pm & 10pm) from London to Amsterdam, all using Eurotunnel. A standard fare is 56 return (under-26s and over-60s pay 53) though promotional return fares can be snapped up for much less.

Getting there By car To reach Amsterdam by car or motorbike by car or motorbike, you can either take a ferry, or preferable for its ha.s.sle-free crossing use Euro-tunnel Euro-tunnel's shuttle-train through the Channel Tunnel Channel Tunnel. Note that Eurotunnel only carries cars (including occupants) and motorbikes, not cyclists or foot pa.s.sengers. Amsterdam is roughly 370km from the Eurotunnel exit in Calais.