Things to do in The Netherlands
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Amsterdam Red Light District Walking Tour
2 hours (Departs Amsterdam, Netherlands)
by Viator
Take a walk on the wild side with a guided walking tour through Dark Amsterdam, the infamous Red Light District. Accompanied by a friendly and knowledgeable…Not LP reviewed
from USD$29.89 -
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Westergasfabriek
If you go through the gate and head west along busy Haarlemmerweg, you’ll come to Westergasfabriek, a late-19th-century Dutch Renaissance complex. It was the city gasworks until it was all but abandoned in the 1960s, its soil contaminated. Now the soil has been replaced with lawns, a long pool suitable for wading (bring the kids), sports facilities and even child care. As you move west away from town, reedy wilderness, with marshes and shallow waterfalls, begins to take over.
reviewed
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Amsterdam to Bruges
8 days (Amsterdam)
Enjoy the highlights of Holland and Belgium by bike and barge.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,320 -
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Magere Brug
This undeniably picturesque bridge is the site of many a Dutch wedding photo. Dating from the 1670s, the nine-arched structure has been rebuilt several times in both concrete and timber. It’s still operated by hand and remains photogenic even at night, when 1200 tiny lights make the bridge look like a Christmas confection. You can spot it in many films, including the James Bond thriller Diamonds are Forever. Stand in the middle and feel it sway under the passing traffic.
reviewed
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Haarlemmerpoort
Once a defensive gateway to the city, the Haarlemmerpoort marked the start of the busy route to Haarlem, which was a major trading route. The structure was finished just in time for King William II’s staged entry for his 1840 coronation, hence its little-known official name of Willemspoort. Traffic no longer runs through the gate since a bypass was built over the Westerkanaal. Today this grand archway is home to apartments with an alluring view of the canal and Westerpark beyond.
reviewed
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Highlights of Holland by Barge
8 days (Amsterdam)
Cycling and cruising from the 'green heart' to the coastal sand dunes to discover the charm of Holland.
Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,120 -
Van Gogh Museum
One of the best Impressionist galleries in the world, the Van Gogh Museum houses about 200 paintings, predominantly by the world's favourite tortured artist, including famous works like The Potato Eaters and The Yellow House in Arles. There are also works by some of his friends and peers, such as Gauguin and Monet.
The museum houses the collection of Vincent's art dealer brother Theo. Japanese prints, which influenced the old ear-slicer, are also on display.
reviewed
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Brouwerij de Prael
This noteworthy brewery employs more than 60 people with a history of mental illness and names its beers (all organic) after famous Dutch singers. The shop sells all seven of its beer varieties (four are seasonal), like the bitter, spicy and amber-coloured Johnny (named after the late folk singer Johnny Jordaan). There are daily tours at 1.30pm (€5, or €6.50 with tasting). Watch this space – they are building a brewery bar next door, due to open in summer 2010.
reviewed
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News Photo
This shop-museum displays enormous blowups of photos that accompany headlines, by photographers from around the world. In fact the museum operates like something of a newsroom itself. Themed exhibitions (terrorism, the Tour de France etc) change every few weeks, but as news is made the curators use giant printers to print out the latest, and - presto - it's up on the conveniently magnetic walls.
You can order fresh prints in a number of sizes, produced on the spot.
reviewed
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De Rode Hoed
De Rode Hoed is a cultural centre that occupies three glorious 17th-century canal houses. Its line-up includes lectures by world-renowned authors and debates on the topics of the day, sometimes in English. It’s worth a visit, even when nothing’s on, to view the three-storey main auditorium, which was once the largest clandestine church in the Netherlands. The centre was named for the hat shop once located here (spot the tile on the facade that identified the place).
reviewed
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NEMO
The green, shiplike building on the eastern harbour is NEMO, designed by big-name architect Renzo Piano. It’s a science museum with loads of interactive exhibits to entertain kids, such as drawing with a laser, ‘antigravity’ trick mirrors, and a ‘lab’ where you can answer questions such as ‘How black is black?’ and ‘How do you make cheese?’ NEMO’s stepped roof (admission free) is the city’s largest summer terrace, and worth a stair climb for its fantastic views.
reviewed
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Canal Motorboats
Canal Motorboats has small aluminium boats (maximum six passengers) that are not only easy to drive but are also battery-powered, which means you silently cruise the waters and yield zero emissions when doing so (though we can’t say where or how the juice for the batteries was generated). Staff give you a map and plenty of advice about where to go (and where to avoid), and will come rescue you if you have problems on the boat. Credit card imprint or €150 cash deposit required.
reviewed
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Leiden American Pilgrim Museum
In Leiden today, traces of the Pilgrims are elusive. The best place to start is the tiny Leiden American Pilgrim Museum, a fascinating restoration of a house occupied around 1610 by the soon-to-be Pilgrims. The house itself dates from 1375, but the furnishings are from the Pilgrims’ period. Note the tiles on the floor, originals from the 14th century. Pick up a walking-tour brochure, which helps you explore the surviving parts of 17th-century Leiden.
reviewed
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Fort Sint Pieter
Much of Maastricht is riddled with defensive tunnels dug into the soft sandstone over the centuries. The best place to see the tunnels is Fort Sint Pieter, which dates to Roman times and has now been restored to its appearance in 1701. It’s 2km south of Helpoort. This is a really beautiful area, pastoral despite the ominous walls – the fort is an arresting sight looming over the charming hillside – and it’s a fine walk from town.
reviewed
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Kurzaal Bar
Even if you're not staying at the plush, 19th-century Kurhaus Hotel, it's worth popping in for a drink at its bar (but wear your best shoes). The Kurzaal's on the edge of a stunning dancehall/restaurant with period trimmings, painted ceiling, frescoes, chandeliers, huge potted plants, portholes, artworks, and photos of Jacques Brel, Bing Crosby… The Rolling Stones played their shortest-ever concert here - just three minutes, before rioting teenage girls took over.
reviewed
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Ecomare
Initially created as a refuge for sick seals retrieved from the Waddenzee, Ecomare has expanded into a nature centre devoted to the preservation and understanding of Texel’s wildlife. It has displays on Texel’s development since the last ice age, islanders’ interaction with the sea, large aquariums filled with fish from the Waddenzee and the North Sea (including sharks and sea skates), while outside there are marked nature trails.
reviewed
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Pintohuis (Openbare Bibliotheek)
The street that runs from Nieuwmarkt square towards Waterlooplein is St Antoniesbreestraat, once a busy street that lost its old buildings during the construction of the metro line. One of the original buildings still standing is the Pintohuis, once owned by a wealthy Sephardic Jew, Isaac de Pinto, who had it remodelled with Italianate pilasters in the 1680s. It’s now a bibliotheek (library) – pop inside to admire the beautiful ceiling frescos.
reviewed
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Amstelsluizen
These impressive sluices, or locks, date from 1674 and allowed the canals to be flushed with fresh water from lakes north of the city, rather than salt water from the IJ, an innovation that made the city more liveable. They were still operated by hand until recently. Four times a week in summer, and twice a week in winter, the locks are shut while fresh water flows in. The sluices on the west side of the city are left open as the stagnant water is pumped out to sea.
reviewed
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Arcam
Arcam is the Amsterdam Architecture Foundation’s stunning facility, which should be the first port of call for architecture and urban-design fans. It offers changing exhibits on the city’s buildings, and reference materials on just about anything built in town, from early history to the very latest housing development. Among the best titles are Twenty-five Buildings You Should Have Seen and Eastern Docklands Map.
reviewed
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Het Schip
This remarkable housing project (1920) is a flagship of the Amsterdam School of architecture. The triangular block, loosely resembling a ship, was designed by Michel de Klerk for railway employees. Het Schip now hosts a small museum in three parts: you can poke around the delightful old post office, walk through a worker’s apartment (complete with period furniture) and enjoy a snack in the lunchroom. Architecture buffs will want to make the pilgrimage.
reviewed
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Odessa
Odessa rocks. Literally. This groovy boat, with indoor and outdoor eating decks and a 1970s-themed ‘plush-porno’ decor, is just the sort of place where Hugh Hefner would hold a debauched pyjama party. As if to emphasise that fact, DJs take over late at night. The menu changes frequently, and although opinions on food and service run the gamut from ‘love it’ to ‘hate it’, there’s no denying it’s a scene.
reviewed
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Hill Street Blues
It feels more like a lounge bar than a coffeeshop, with jazzy music, an in-the-groove vibe and an international swath of visitors. Firm beanbag stools and comfy benches make great stations for watching the life forms on busy Nieuwmarkt while sipping a blended fruit-and-yogurt smoothie or one of the phenomenal shakes. For a grungier vibe, check out its location at Warmoesstraat 52, where graffiti covers every inch of the space and furniture.
reviewed
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Podium Mozaiëk
‘West is the new Centrum’ boasts Club 8, a bare-bones club in the area west of the Jordaan. We wouldn’t write off the city centre anytime soon, but we can say that this and other grassroots nightspots here are worth a look: De Nieuwe Anita, a living-room-like art lounge; Zaal 100, which hosts a Tuesday jam session; and the multicultural arts space Podium Mozaiëk.
reviewed
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Zaal 100
‘West is the new Centrum’ boasts Club 8, a bare-bones club in the area west of the Jordaan. We wouldn’t write off the city centre anytime soon, but we can say that this and other grassroots nightspots here are worth a look: De Nieuwe Anita, a living-room-like art lounge; Zaal 100, which hosts a Tuesday jam session; and the multicultural arts space Podium Mozaiëk.
reviewed
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Dick Bruna Huis
One of Utrecht’s favourite sons, Dick Bruna, is honoured at Dick Bruna Huis. Bruna is the creator of beloved cartoon rabbit Miffy, and she naturally takes pride of place, along with an extensive overview of Bruna’s career: from the book covers he designed for his family’s publishing company to multimedia demonstrations of his technique and philosophy. Kids love this place, as do adults who find their inner kid again.
reviewed