subject: A Great Instructions To Amsterdam Living Plus Basic To Track Ideas On Choosing Transportation [print this page] The Special Sites at De Plantage, Amsterdam
De Plantage is a great alternative escape in Amsterdam for those looking for something more modern than places such as Muiden or Centrum. De Plantage is found at the Eastern part of Amsterdam and is a spacious sprawl ideal for intellectuals, adventurers, kids and adults alike. The Amsterdam Centre for Architecture or ARCAM is located at De Plantage which offers annual exhibits with futuristic architecture as its theme. For the kids, theres the Artis Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in Europe which houses a research center, planetarium, aquarium, geological museum, a petting area and butterfly garden. Although De Plantage is considered a contemporary area, there are still many historical sites which can be visited such as Rembrandts House, the Dutch Resistance Museum and the Tropenmuseum. After all the sightseeing, one can have lunch at Restaurant De Kas, which was a former greenhouse turned dining area, or at Bloem, a former warehouse near Artis Zoo. There are still so many stores, museums, cafes and parks to discover at de Plantage, and its high time to discover each one.
Where Architectural Enthusiasts should go in Amsterdam
For architecture enthusiasts everywhere, feast your eyes on the many architectural greats all found in one place in Amsterdam: Oostelijk Havengebied. Also considered as the Eastern Docklands, there are many functional and impressive buildings found in Oostelijk. Functional buildings such as the Passengers Terminal Amsterdam receive tourists and locals who are going to or coming from a cruise with open arms with an impressive all glass structure made to look like a wave. Loods 6 is another historical structure worth the visit as it used to function as a departure hall for the Royal Dutch Steam Ship Company and was collaborated by different artists such as Horn and van den Steene. Music Building on the IJ is another beautiful modern piece that is home to different concerts for almost any music genre with a caf and restaurant beside the water. But the most functional of all is the Pythonbug, a red bridge which looks like it is slithering on the waters of Amsterdam. Check them out, and youll earn wise points in terms of design.
Taking a Road Trip down at Zaanse Schans
For those looking for some old world charm which shows many interesting parts of Dutch History, Zaanse Schans is the way to go, just 20 minutes away from Amsterdam proper. Here you find many charming trivialities that are telltale signs of the 17th century village that it was such as a cheese factory, a clog workshop and several working windmills, two of which allow visitors in, to provide a great picturesque view of their skyline. The cheese factory gives out several samples of their cheese for tourists to taste. To get to Zaanse Schans, one can take the train going to Koog Zaandjik which will take you to its town proper, after which Zaanse Schans is only 10 minutes away by foot, or one can bike going there. Zaanse Schans is best conquered on a one-day escapade but if one insists in staying there, the only available accommodation is at the Hotel Sans Pareil. Dont forget to drop by the Museum Zaans in order to know about the local customs and history of the whole village.
Learning the Ropes of Winemaking at the Amsteltuin Vineyard
Amsterdam nowadays is congested with so many businessmen, tourists and locals going about their busy lives, so when you want an easy escape from the glaring city life, go to the nearby village of Amstelveen. There you can find the only Dutch vineyard near Amsterdam, the Amsteltuin vineyard, which gives out courses and workshops about wine. Group tours will have to be requested well in advance for the vineyard to prepare for a large number of guests. If you want a sample of their work, arrangements will have to be made prior as Amsteltuin is still in the experimentation stage with some of their wines and grapes. In the more warm-weathered months, one can enjoy a barbecue and buffet from the staff if wished. The laidback ambiance of the setting though is enough for you to spend the day perfectly, relaxing with wine in hand on their patios and terraces. The Vineyard is also used as a care centre for the disabled.
