Amsterdam City Breaks

amsterdam map

Unmistakable and unique, Amsterdam's canals and gabled houses give the city an historic elegance recalling its seafaring past. Add a wealth of galleries and museums, fine dining and a buzzing nightlife, and you have the ideal city break destination.

Insider Tip

If you're looking for a break from the bustling centre, be sure to take a walk along the peaceful canals of the Jordaan district.

Your Accommodation:

Map Ref.	Hotel	Rating	Price
1	The Nadia	**	Book from £33 per night
2	Amstel Botel	***	Book from £38 per night
3	Leidse Square	***	Book from £39 per night
4	Hampshire Hotel Lancaster	***	Book from £41 per night
5	Tulip Inn Amsterdam Centre	***	Book from £45 per night
6	Bellevue	***	Book from £49 per night
7	Avenue	***	Book from £50 per night
8	Ibis Amsterdam Centre	***	Book from £53 per night
9	Rho	***	Book from £48 per night
10	Eden Amsterdam - Hampshire Eden	***	Book from £51 per night

Must See

Rijksmuseum The stunning National Museum of the Netherlands holds masterpieces by Vermeer, Averkamp and Rembrandt.

Anne Frank Huis Prepare the be moved as you visit the tiny hide-out shared by Anne Frank and her family.

Take a canal boat tour for the perfect introduction.

Catch your breath in bustling Dam Square, packed with buskers and street performers.

The highlights of Dutch cuisine include herrings served every which way (raw, cooked and pickled), smoked eel and chops with mayonnaise. Gouda and Edam are the best known cheeses, but there are plenty of others to sample. For pudding, select applegebak, traditional Dutch apple pie, or find a pancake house or poffertjes stall, selling light, fluffy mini pancakes with choice of toppings.

A legacy of the Netherlands' colonial past is the rijsttafel, a feast of up to 25 Indonesian dishes served together with rice. Wash it down with a lass of pils or wheat beer, and don't forget to trey a Jenever or Dutch gin.

Shopping

There are plenty of souvenirs to bring home from Amsterdam; a pair of clogs; some pretty Delftware; a bottle of Jenever or, if you're lucky, a diamond from the diamond factory. At the flower market or at the Keukenhof, you can order bulbs to be shipped home.

Excursions

Panoramic City Tour
Tour Amsterdam's famous sights by coach and boat. Including the Royal Palace, Skinny Bridge, a windmill on the Amstel and a diamond factory.

Departs: daily 9.30 (07 Nov - 21 Mar) 10.00 (22 Mar - 04 Nov). Duration: 3.5 hours approx.
Adult from £22.

Marken, Volendam & Windmill Tour
Visit two picturesque villages and a cheese farm for a real taste of Holland.

Departs: daily 9.30 (07 Nov 11 - 21 Mar 12) 09.30 & 14.30 (22 Mar - 04 Nov 12). Duration: 5 hours approx.
Adult from £27.

Grand Holland Tour
Full day trip to Aalsmeer Flower Auction (closed Sun when substituted by a visit to a clog factory), Delft (home of blue pottery), Rotterdam, the House of Parliament in the Hague and the beach resort of Scheveningen.

Departs: Mon, Wed, Fri, Dun at 9.00 (07 Nov 11 - 04 Nov 12). Duration: 8 hours approx.
Adult from £31.

The Keukenof
One of the world's biggest flower shows with over 6 million bulbs planted in 80 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens.

Departs: daily 22 Mar - 20 May. Duration: 4.5 hours, 7 hours or 9 hours approx.
Adult from £30.

Red Light District Walking Tour
Gain a unique insight into dark Amsterdam with a tour of the Red Light District. Learn about one of the city's oldest industries, prostitution, and discover how different the area is now compared with its murky past.

Departs: Wed, Fri, Sat at 20.00 (07 Nov 11 - 04 Nov 12). Duration: 2 hours approx.
Adult from £18.

Candlelight Cruise
A romantic evening cruise along the canals taking in the sparkling bridges and buildings of the city by night. Cheese and wine are offered on board.

Departs: daily 20.00 (07 Nov 11 - 21 Mar 12) 21.00 (22 Mar - 04 Nov 12). Duration: 2 hours approx.
Adult from £29.

Dinner Cruise
This superb evening excursion starts with a welcome cocktail. Your hostess explains the history associated with the beautifully lit buildings as you relax in glass enclosed comfort. A 4-course dinner is served, which includes red and white wines, coffee and liqueur.

Departs: daily 19.00 (07 Nov 11 - 21 Mar 12) 20.00 (22 Mar - 04 Nov 12). Duration: 2.5 hours.
Adult from £72.

Floriade - World Horticultural Expo
Floriade is a World Horticultural Expo staged once every 10 years in the Netherlands. From 05 Apr - 07 Oct 12, the sixth edition of Floriade will be organised in Venlo, in the South of Holland. Visitors are presented with the opportunity to enjoy the world's most exquisite and exceptional flowers, plants, trees, fruit and vegetables.

Departs: daily. Duration: 11 hours (approx 6 hours spent at the event).
Adult from £68.

This website is operated by Thomas Cook Retail Ltd (ABTA J9375), acting as agent for Thomas Cook Scheduled Tour Operations Ltd trading as Cresta (ABTA V2185, ATOL 0606).

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Amsterdam