subject: The Total Instructions For Amsterdam Survival With Clear-cut To Pursue Advice On Finding Lodges [print this page] Visiting the Historic City of Alkmaar Visiting the Historic City of Alkmaar
Like Amsterdam, the city of Alkmaar has so many beautiful sights to behold worthy of a day trip away from the more populous Amsterdam. Alkmaar, considered as the cheese capital of Holland, has something to offer everyone aside from cheese but of course they have plenty of that too. There are different historical museums in the city such as the National Beer Museum, the City Museum of Alkmaar, the Holland Cheese Museum and even a Beatles Museum as John Lennons first guitar seems to have been made here. Among many attractions, the cheese market in Waagplein is by far the most popular of them all. And its only open from April to September, when the cheeses undergo a weighing ceremony to the delight of the crowds, so its best to plan a trip in those conditions. The buying isnt done in the actual market though but at the different stalls surrounding the market with different specialized cheeses for sale to individuals. Aside from the cheese, Alkmaar also has many quaint stores, boutiques, restaurants and cafes that are a refreshing take from the more commercialized spots in Amsterdam proper. And after all that shopping, relax in their airy terraces and restaurants, and people-watch.
Checking out the Different Eating Places in Amsterdam
Most of the dining stops in Amsterdam are famous for their cozy atmosphere, warm setting and relaxed manner more than just the culinary delights they offer. As it were, most places are great for hanging out with family and friends. Theres Bistro Sante at Regio for those who like big portions. And for those who like something a little more quiet albeit for a much older crowd, theres the Caf aad de Wolf which is converted into bar at night. At the historic Zaanse Schans, theres the Restaurant de Hoop op d Swarte Walvis, a historic area which serves great food and great conversations with the staff as well. And for those craving for a more Asian palate, try the Thai restaurant t Waepen van Naang-Nuan which is famous for their fresh catches and tempting desserts. On top of these restaurants, there are still so many choices all over Amsterdam, so experiment!
Relaxing Stroll at De Plantage, Amsterdam
If youre trying to escape the nostalgic feel of the village, then De Plantage is probably one of the most affordable escapes one can get whilst still hooked to Amsterdam, far more modern than places such as Muiden or Centrum. The whole area found at the East part of Amsterdam is spacious and offers different attractions for kids, adults, intellectuals and adventurers. ARCAM or Amsterdam Centre for Architecture is found at De Plantage and offers year-round exhibits which promote futuristic architectural structures. Theres also Artis Zoo, ideal for the kids, being one of the oldest zoos in Europe with a planetarium, aquarium, geological museum, butterfly garden, petting zoo and a research center. Since this is Amsterdam, it cant be helped that there are still many historical sites in this contemporary area such as Rembrandts House, Tropenmuseum and the Dutch Resistance Museum. Have lunch at Restaurant de Kas, a greenhouse turned eating area, or at Bloem, a warehouse turned restaurant found near Artis Zoo. There are so many things to captivate the sense in De Plantage including stores, museums, cafes and parks, one will surely not regret visiting here.
Whats Happening at Noord, Amsterdam?
Exciting things are happening at this once fully-industrial part of Amsterdam. Once full of ports and docks, Noord now houses many of the architectural wonders and cultural landmarks which are worth visiting and seeing via walk, bike or drive. North Amsterdam still remains a quiet set of villages as compared to that of Centrum or those on the other side of the River IJ but now, it adds a more active front to those interested such as the Tollhouse Garden which is an experimental artists escape with a theatre and concert halls, a childrens art hall, a hip-hop school and a caf and restaurant. Another great find is the Noorderlicht Caf, an all-glass restaurant and dome with a terrace just beside the River IJ which serves a hearty lunch and dinner for its guests. And for those who just want to coast through the River IJ, a unique experience can be utilized using the Pancake Boat, which literally serves all-you-can-eat pancakes for their guests along with different toppings. Really, so many exciting things are happening and its time to just catch up on each one and visit Noord, Amsterdam!
