Auto Blogger Will you be traveling to Amsterdam, Netherlands anytime soon? If so, it is likely that you plan on at least doing a few tourist activities while you are there. I know that often times vacations can get hectic and sometimes slightly boring after you’ve spent long days after days carting around your touring group to one attraction after another. But as is usually the case in most cities or towns anywhere, some of these attractions should not be missed. And in Amsterdam, those are the museums. Sport Gezondheid

From the museum on Cannabis culture to the Rembrandt museum, Amsterdam is known throughout the world for its extraordinary art and informational exhibitions of all sorts. From conservative, traditional to all out bizarre, Amsterdam has the best of them. Sport Blog

Auto Tips But where do you find out about museums in Amsterdam, Netherlands? How do you know which Amsterdam museums are worth it? Well, many of the classic, tourist-trap type, if you will, Amsterdam museums will be listed on a city map or in any major tour book. You might even find out about some from your local AAA office, or other travel agent. But as for the rather odd ones, the ones that are a bit harder to find and even more fun to talk about back home; here is a brief list and description. The following are six Amsterdam Museums that cross over the line of ordinary. Hopefully you will enjoy them. Gezondheid Blog

Auto Blog The giant four story NEMO science center is one Amsterdam museum attraction that many tourists might easily miss. Despite its huge presence right on the water near the city’s Centraal Station, this Mecca of experiments and knowledge is sort of tucked away and requires a little walk off into the distance of seemingly nowhere to get to. It is not hard to miss though, for the science museum is marked by its architecture; the building design consists externally of a massive ship from an aerial view that appears as though it has landed halfway in the water. Health Blog

Sport Gezondheid Once inside the structure, nobody would ever notice this look, and sadly it is raised so much above ground that depending on which way one enters the museum, it could be easy to miss completely. But the NEMO center, the largest science museum in the Netherlands has plenty of character inside as well. Families with children, couples, even grandparents of any age can enjoy this world of fun, hands on learning tools. From the life-size bubble maker to the music machine media-type area to an exhibit that allows you to climb on the ceiling, NEMO has something for every type and level of learner. The top floor also allows one to view the entire capital city of the Netherlands, Amsterdam. Business Blog

Tropenmuseum

Auto Blogger This Amsterdam museum is pretty much what the name implies; it is a museum all about tropical locations. And I do mean all about. With permanent exhibits on the regions of Southeast Asia, Oceania, Western Asia, North Africa, Africa, Latin America and subjects such as Man and Environment and Music, Dance and Theater, the Tropenmuseum is the perfect place to find extensive information about non-western cultures of the world. With artwork and exhibition material consisting of anything from Photography to found objects to work by native to tropical area painters, this venue allows for acquiring new knowledge in a fun, lighthearted way. Business Blog

The museum is renowned worldwide for its unequivical ability to send its visitors right into the heart of their featured tropical locales by magnificent displays that look, sound, feel and even smell and taste as if they were experiencing the setting firsthand. Even better is the little dining area they have set up specifically to satisfy your thirst and hunger with all kinds of unique culinary creations from these tropical regions. Note that while the Tropecmuseum is enjoyable for all ages, including youngsters, the children’s exhibits are primarily set up for Dutch speaking kiddies.
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Brilmuseum – Amsterdam Museum of Glasses

Auto Tips Yes, believe it or not this four story historic home (dating back to 1620) belongs to a most interesting, yet likely a tad bit peculiar family of a 3rd generation optician who set out to not only educate the world on the elaborate history of spectacle invention, development and evolution throughout the years, but also to house the worlds largest and most unique arrangement of all types of spectacles. Business Blog

It has been about a thirty-five year venture, but what has resulted is a quite extraordinary collection of you-name-it types of spectacles; from tacky to classy to chic to mod style, to nerd to librarian, to your stereotypcial four eyed geeky four eyes before they started to become fashionable, every kind imaginable is displayed in this museum. And while the tour itself is slightly long, the fact that such an oddball place like the Spectacles Museum exists is reason enough to check it out. And really, even if you arent exactly a spectacles connoiesseur, this unique array of glasses will blow your mind. Business Blog

And even if you decide the ticket price is too high for a long histroy on glasses, you should at least take a little detour to the quiet street of Gasthuismolensteeg (number 7), tucked away off of Singel toward Centraal Station and check out the spectacle museum gift shop. Featuring spectacles from historical figures and one of a kind designs from masters in the art of spectacles, you may just discover a hidden fetish for spectacle accessories. But check your bank account before entering. You might not be able to buy just one and they certainly are pricey. Brilmuseum is located in the Rembrandtplein Business Blog

The Torture Museum

The Torture Museum, located also off of Singel is not really what you would expect. Though the self directed tour requires a walk through dark and musty narrow hallways filled with some serious middle aged torture equipment, it’s not exactly spooky and it doesn’t really succeed in putting you back in the time period confronted with an unwanted execution. Which, depending on how you look at it could be a good or bad thing. Onderneem Blog

Perhaps to have done up the museum so much as to put the visitors in the torture seat more or less, might have been just a little too controversial or distrubing even for an Amsterdam museum. But the way the museum is now, feels simply like an average museum, where one strolls through, pauses to view exhibits, reads a bit about them on the wall and then moves on. And though, people might often be seeking to really get face to face with the evil and fear that comes along with torturous deeds, it seems almost that by keeping the atmosphere sort of neutral and objective, the designers did an ideal job of showing the carelessness and normalcy with which the torturers sadistically tantalized their victims. So even though it wasn’t what most would expect with a name like Torture Museum, it was certainly a fascinating historical learning experience that additionally, would be very likely thrilling and even maybe erotic to those who enjoy this type of role playing in Food Blog

The Amsterdam Sex Museum

The Sex Museum, known as the Venustempel is not only the very first and oldest sex museum in the world but also one of the most successful. This Amsterdam museum features historical up to modern artwork featuring all forms of sex, from the sensual and more love infused aspect, to traditional pornography, to exhibits, displays and paintings of hardcore sexual activity. If you are going to the sex museum in search of a giggle or perhaps for the shock value that the title of the place might imply, you may be slightly disappointed. Eten Blog

Auto Blog While this museum is fun, it isn’t exactly raunchy or so offensive that you’d want to tell stories about it back home for years to come. It’s actually much more sophisticated than that. It seems that the museums goal is to celebrate the beauty and magnificence of the sexual art and if that is true, they do an amazing job. If you are interested in a more novelty, crazy, maybe even rebellious for some, type of sex display, you may want to head over to the Erotic Museum, as described below. Info for the Amsterdam Sex Museum is as follows: Drinken Blog

The Erotic Museum

Eten en Drinken Blog While the Sex Museum is rather conservative, the Erotic Museum has seemingly no limits. With five floors of crazy, flashy, artistic sculptures, paintings, cartoons and even some interactive (yet clean!) exhibits, this Amsterdam museum takes you into the world of hardcore pornography and bizarre fetishes. The displays here are certainly still quality enough to be considered artistic and maybe sensual (ok-some) to a degree, but it is more like a novelty museum. While the Venustempel seems to celebrate the softness and beauty of sex in its various forms, the Erotic Museum seems to want to celebrate the fun, excitement and spontaneity of the act and hobby, or for many in this Red Light District Erotic Museum location, the occupation. Eten Blog

Car Blog There are displays of such overt sexual fetishes like manneiquins with fruit shoved into their orifices, one area that makes light of the red light prostitutes as it encourages visitors to stand in their makeshift red lit window. And for the big kicker, if you take the time to notice while ascending up to the top floor, is a lovely little busty mannequin squatting above you and urinating on something like the glass right above your head. Dont expect to be super turned on by this museum, but it is a great laugh and something worth going to just because you might never see anything like it again. Drinken Blog

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The city of Amsterdam is an old city that has embraced the new cosmopolitan flair of Europe. The seat of government is in The Hague, but Amsterdam is also thought of as the capital and it is the home of The Netherlands’ royal family. The Dutch are also a cultured people who enjoy the finer things in life when it comes to the arts. Interieur Blog

Amsterdam is a city of less than one million residents but has over 50 theatres and movie houses, two ballet troupes, a symphony orchestra, and numerous museums.

The Leidesplein is the theatre district of Amsterdam. Many of the numerous theater cinemas are themed in that each carries a certain type of film – art house, film noir, English only, new, etc. The Dutch run the film in it’s original language with the sub-titles in Dutch dialogue; as a result, visitors can often find a film in their native tongue; especially English.

The various theatres carry the best and latest in operas, symphonies, dances, and various other concerts. It is not uncommon to find a theatrical production being played out in a plaza or park. There is even a theatre that specializes in programs for the younger generation. Woon Website

The Dutch art scene covers everything from graffiti to works by the masters; both inside the museums and galleries and out on the streets.

Some 50 of the over 400 museums in The Netherlands are located within the city of Amsterdam and are among the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Besides the typical works of the masters, modern art, film, and photography; some of the museums that can be found in Amsterdam are the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, a Botanical Museum, a museum dedicated to the Dutch resistance during World War II, the Heineken Experience, the Ajax Museum (Dutch football team), a houseboat museum, a torture museum, museums dedicated to sex and erotica, NEMO a hands on science museum for the children that is housed in a boat shaped building, the shipping museum, a Biblical Museum, the tropical museum and the Jewish museum. There are also several art galleries within the city. Interieur Tips

The largest of the museums is the Rijksmuseum, which houses Dutch art dating as far back as some early religious works, and of course; the masters. Interieur Tips

Located in the middle of the city is the Anne Frank House, where the young teen wrote her diary while hiding from the Nazi’s with her family. The original diary is on display at the house. Woon blog

The Houseboat Museum is an actual houseboat similar to those used by some residents of Amsterdam. The boat is set up as if the family where merely out running errands or at the cinema and will return at any moment.

Across from the Anne Frank House is the tulip museum. The small museum offers a multimedia presentation of the famous flower including its history.

Interieur Blog For those interested in the art of the adult beverage there is the Heineken Experience which provides everything about the famous beer. And there is the Vodka museum that not only gives a history of the alcoholic potato and a display of unusual vodka bottles, but a bar where visitors can sample the famous Russian concoction. There is also a coffee and tea museum for the coffee and tea lover.

The Jewish Museum tells of the history of Dutch Jews and is housed in four synagogues some dating back to the sixteen hundreds. Woon Website

Located on the edge of the Red Light District is the Museum Amstelkring which houses religious artifacts and art.

Visitors to St. Petersburg, Russia can see a few of the works housed in the Hermitage along the Neva River; but it is nearly impossible to see everything housed within the palace walls. However, visitors to Amsterdam can visit the Hermitage in Amsterdam which features two exhibits each year. Interieur Blog

The TIN-Theater Museum features the history of the theater back to the Middle Ages. And the Film museum features a history on cinema history. The FOAM specializes in photography.

And for those who have an interest in things ancient and archeological is the Allard Pierson Museum.

And of course; Woon blog the old city would not be complete without a historical museum of Amsterdam itself and the maritime museum Nederlands Scheepvaart Museum.

The tropical museum features exhibits on the tropical areas around the world.

There are museums dedicated to the works of Vincent Van Gogh, Rembrandt and writer Theo Thijssen.

Interieur Tips Madame Tussauds offers visitors the chance to see Rembrandt at work, see Kylie Minogue, Bono, Bob Marley or hold court with Princess Maxima.

The Tassen Museum Hendrikje is dedicated to the great designers of women’s purses and handbags offering thousands of the women’s accessories for visitors to view. The Brilmuseum features eyeglasses.

For the musically inclined there is a small museum featuring player pianos and thousands of the paper rolls used in creating the music. Sir Elton John has nothing on this small museum which offers s glimpse into the history of eyewear.

With the wide variety of exhibits offered by the museums and the variety of cultural events there is something for almost any interest for the visitors and residents in Amsterdam. Mannen Website

Amsterdam

Amsterdam – a city sometimes called the Venice of the north – is a city surrounded by water. Holland is a small country located between Germany and England across the sea. Whether it be along the North Sea or one of the many canals and rivers throughout the city, finding a place to stay with a waterfront view is an easy task. This modernized city with an old world charm offers a variety of places for visitors to stay from the finest international chain hotels to an intimate inn and even a houseboat. For a relatively small city Amsterdam contains nearly 300 hotels and that does not include the 100 plus guesthouses, the hostels, cottages, houseboats, and even some apartments for extended stays. But even with all of these available hotel rooms and other places to stay, finding lodgings during the tourist season can be very difficult. As a result, it is recommended for tourists to book a room or other lodging in advance. By booking ahead guests will be ensured that not only will they get the room that they want but at a price they desire as well. There are websites that list these hotels and similar accommodations in the city by category – large, number of stars, small, etc. – there are even listings those places that are suitable for families, are pet friendly, wheelchair accessible, and even the ones that are gay/lesbian friendly. Mannen blog

For the adventurous tourists and travelers Amsterdam also offers campgrounds just outside the city. In winter it gets very cold in Amsterdam – cold enough to freeze the waterways – so for the avid camper, summer is the best time to visit. Residents of Amsterdam even skate along the waterways during the winter for pleasure and as a way to get from one place to another.

Like many European cities Amsterdam is a popular tourist destination but the city does not offer a lot in the way of parking; as a result, it is best to make use of the extensive public transportation services offered by the country of The Netherlands. Bicycle riding is also very popular in this small country. Visitors can easily rent bikes and even take them on the trains. The Netherlands’ transit system includes buses, trams, subways, and a train service that operates over 100 trips each day. There is even a train that runs right under Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport for easy access into the city so there is no need to pay those high taxi fees to get into the city or to the hotel. It is even possible to take a trip across the country on the train and return to Amsterdam in the same day. Mannen Site

For those visitors who insist upon driving, they must pay close attention to any and all traffic laws. The Netherlands may be liberal in some areas of the law but it has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to traffic violations and tickets with heavy fines are given out even for first offenses and with no warning. If the ticket is not paid within a 24 hour period then the vehicle is towed.

Since the city of Amsterdam is considered small, walking from place to place is also a relatively simple task.

Bicycle and walking tours around the city of Amsterdam are among the items offered to visitors to the city.

Getting to Amsterdam as a tourist destination is even easier than getting around in the city once visitors have arrived. Schiphol Airport serves some 40 million visitors each year with approximately 90 different airline services from every corner of the globe. Mannen lifestyle

The trains that run all through the country also offer trains to the neighboring countries of Germany, France, Belgium, and beyond. Many Hollanders speak English and offer informational kiosks throughout the train stations and airport making it easier for visitors find what they want and to get around the city.

Besides the windmills, wooden shoes, chocolates, and tulips for which Amsterdam and The Netherlands are best known; Amsterdam is the home of the artist Rembrandt and oddities like leaning houses.

Among the other rather unusual things that can be found in The Netherlands and Amsterdam are targeted for adults – that of the coffeehouse where Cannabis is smoked and the Red Light District where the ladies are displayed in shop windows. In the Red Light District a man literally shops for the companion he wants. Beware: no photos are allowed when visiting the area. Mannen lifestyle

Football fans can watch the two time World Cup Champions the Amsterdam Ajax play. One of the biggest teams in Europe the Ajax have been a part of Amsterdam and football for over 100 years.

Since Rembrandt lived, worked, and died in Amsterdam there are a number of museums and art galleries some of which are dedicated to the great artist; as well as, the other great masters in art. Mannen lifestyle

Amsterdam Attractions

When many people hear the words Holland, The Netherlands, or Amsterdam the first things that comes to mind are wooden shoes, windmills, chocolate, and tulips. But the country of The Netherlands and Amsterdam have a lot more to offer its millions of visitors each year. This small country in western Europe is located west of Germany with England to the east located across the sea.

Amsterdam is a city located on the North Sea and while storms can be fierce the summer weather is pleasant. There are four beaches in the Amsterdam area for residents and visitors to enjoy the warm sun. Some of these beaches even permit swimming. Mannen Website

Like Venice and St. Petersburg, two cities surrounded by water, boat traffic is numerous and tourists can find rides along the waterways in the form of a taxi or a structured ride.

Amsterdam offers the golfer a number of choices to get in a few holes while on holiday.

Since bicycle riding is more than just a popular pastime in The Netherlands, it is also a form of transportation instead of the motor vehicle; bike riding tours are available during the non-winter months. A combination bike and boat ride is also offered during the summer months of June, July, and August. These bicycle tours wind through the Dutch countryside offering tourists a glimpse into the “real” Holland with trips through the countryside, cheese farms, and clog factories. While on the tour visitors can see windmills, get a bit of history, and learn a bit about how the Dutch have reclaimed some of their country back from the sea – The Netherlands is a country at or below sea level which floods easily. Vrouwen Lifestyle

And of course; there are the numerous gardens located all over the country showing off the tulips the country of The Netherlands is so famous for. While there are many small gardens hidden behind the walls of private homes, there are also large public gardens with thousands upon thousands of flowers in a rainbow of colour.

For visitors who wish to view the city in a more pedestrian manner, there are several walking tours of Amsterdam. The most well known is the The WOW or Walking Over Water Tour. During this 3 hour and a half tour visitors can see the old Amsterdam City Center, leaning houses, sea dikes, lost city walls, hidden monasteries, sites of former executions and spectacular murders, and the famous Red Light District where the girls are on display in shop windows; but beware taking photographs is prohibited. Vrouwen Blog

The second walking tour takes about 2 hours and is called The Red Light District walks. As the name implies this tour focuses on the Red Light district. The Red Light tour visits the spots where the women offer their services to men and educates the people with a visit to the PIC or Prostitute Information Centre. Lifestyle Tips

The walking tours are conducted in English year round. The residents of Amsterdam and The Netherlands are a cultured and sophisticated people and their festivals reflect such culture. Besides the various festivals for various holidays there are art festivals, literary festivals, and festivals for film and theatre; as well as, music festivals and concerts. There is some kind of festival taking place nearly every month of the year in Amsterdam. The Dutch even put on a festival to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Vrouwen Site

What began as a country wide celebration of the Queen Mother’s birthday has evolved into a massive outdoor party each April 30. All of Holland comes out dressed in orange to enjoy a giant birthday party and celebrate out among the blooming flowers and warming weather. The holiday is more than just a big party; marketing is strictly regulated as everything imaginable is available for sale; even the children get involved and show off their business skills.

Among the more unusual festivals happens in November when the various coffeehouses in the city hold the High Times Cannabis Cup; a six day festival that includes musical events and tasting parties. In The Netherlands it is legal to buy and smoke cannabis. It is illegal however to carry more than 5 gram of the drug. Vrouwen Site

December is the month that all the children wait for; on December 5 St. Nicholas arrives but not is a sleigh, but in a boat. The arrival of St. Nick is accompanied by a parade and festival. The Dutch do not celebrate the traditional Christmas of December 25 as the jolly one’s arrival so for many Dutch it is a normal day with businesses and museums open to the public. Sport Gezondheid

The year ends with a bang – literally – on December 31 with bars and nightclubs opening late, early evening is for families, and a big fireworks display.

Summer may be the time when most of the tourists come to visit but The Netherlands offers something for residents and visitors any time of the year. Sport Gezondheid