About.com Amsterdam Travel

Craving Thai in the Jordaan?

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:05:26 +0000

So you've been walking around Amsterdam's western canals all day and just don't feel like traditional Dutch fare tonight. If you're craving Thai food, stay in the neighborhood, because nearby Rakang Thai Restaurant serves some of the city's best.

Not quite your typical Thai place, Rakang prides itself on excellent (if not showy) service and unique ambiance. Prices reflect the quality of the food, so mark this one down as a special dinner, order one the € 36-39 fixed-price menu dishes and enjoy the splurge.

Be sure to make reservations at Rakang, as it fills up fast. If you score a seat on the sidewalk patio, you can watch as Jordaan neighborhood locals and visitors pass by.

Craving Thai in the Jordaan? originally appeared on About.com Amsterdam Travel on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 10:05:26.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Amsterdam Coffeeshop Dos and Don'ts

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:45:58 +0000

Visitors to Amsterdam are always intrigued by the tolerant attitude the Dutch have toward "soft drugs" (e.g., cannabis products). I couldn't escape talking about it forever. I used to think that there's already enough information about it online. But with these Amsterdam Coffeeshop Dos and Don'ts I hope to help your tolerant cultural experience be a better one!

Amsterdam Coffeeshop Dos and Don'ts originally appeared on About.com Amsterdam Travel on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 11:45:58.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Welcome Sinterklaas to Amsterdam November 15

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:17:39 +0000

Sinterklaas, or St. Nicholas, arrives from Spain on his boat at the Scheepvaart Museum (Maritime Museum) in Amsterdam's harbor on Sunday, November 15, at 12 noon. He'll be arriving in preparation for Sinterklaasavond on December 5, the most important night of the Dutch holiday season, when he'll fill the shoes of deserving little ones with treats and gifts.

From the harbor area, Sinterklaas will ride his white horse through the center of Amsterdam as his helpers throw holiday cookies and candies to the hundreds of children and onlookers along the route. This is one of the most anticipated events of the calendar, especially for kids.

Don't miss the opportunity to see his huge welcome party in Amsterdam. See pictures from last year's arrival and you'll understand why you should stake out a viewing spot by 11 a.m. at the latest. He's expected at Dam Square by 2 p.m. and at Leidseplein by 4 p.m.

^{Photo © sintinamsterdam.nl}

Welcome Sinterklaas to Amsterdam November 15 originally appeared on About.com Amsterdam Travel on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 11:17:39.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Don't Miss Museumnacht in Amsterdam!

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:29:05 +0000

If you've been a reader of mine for a while, you know that Museumnacht (Museum Night) is an Amsterdam event I hold dear. I realize plenty of cities put on similar "night at the museum" events, but there's something so special about biking all over shimmering, watery Amsterdam as you cultural-cocktail-party-hop. Learn what to expect on n8 and find out what that little abbreviation means in my guide to Museumnacht in Amsterdam, coming up on Saturday, November 7.

Don't Miss Museumnacht in Amsterdam! originally appeared on About.com Amsterdam Travel on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 12:29:05.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Peruse the 'pAn' for Stunning Art and Antiques

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:43:54 +0000

Later this month, the city will host the annual pAn Amsterdam, the Netherlands' national art and antiques fair. The more than 100 dealers -- most are from the Netherlands, some hail from Belgium and Germany -- offer everything from Chinese teracotta horses dating to the 4th century to 17th-century furniture to Art Deco jewelry.

I've attended in the past and felt like I was in a museum, surrounded by Old Master and even French Impressionist paintings. The only difference is, these stunning works of art and historical objects are for sale to anyone who can afford them. I think the � 15 entrance fee is well worth the eye candy.

pAn Amsterdam Art and Antiques Fair Information

Where: RAI Conference & Event Center, Amsterdam (Tram line 4 will take you there)
When: Sunday, November 22 to Sunday, November 29
Open daily 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Exceptions: Only open until 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 26 and Sunday, November 29
Cost: � 15
More information: www.pan-amsterdam.nl

Peruse the 'pAn' for Stunning Art and Antiques originally appeared on About.com Amsterdam Travel on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 09:43:54.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Taste the Season at a Fall Beer Festival in Amsterdam

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:45:38 +0000

It's that time of year: time for the sweet, malty flavors of the seasonal bokbier. The upcoming fall beer festival in Amsterdam focuses on regional breweries that specialize in this style. But be warned, these are strong ales!

Taste the Season at a Fall Beer Festival in Amsterdam originally appeared on About.com Amsterdam Travel on Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 10:45:38.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Shake Your Thing at the Amsterdam Dance Event

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:55:59 +0000

If dancing until the wee hours is your thing, you need to check out the Amsterdam Dance Event, which runs next weekend, October 21-24. Dubbed the biggest club music festival in the world, you won't find a more global groove anywhere.

^{Pictured: Club scene during the Amsterdam Dance Event

Photo © tilllate.com}

Shake Your Thing at the Amsterdam Dance Event originally appeared on About.com Amsterdam Travel on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 13:55:59.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Two Amsterdam Universities Make Higher Education Top 200

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:53:16 +0000

The Times Higher Education Survey has ranked the University of Amsterdam and the VU (Vrije Universiteit) Amsterdam 49th and 165th, respectively, on its QS World University Rankings, a list of the top 200 institutions of higher education in the world.

The Universiteit van Amsterdam, often referred to as UVA, is the city's largest and oldest university, dating to 1632. So not surprisingly, much of the campus is in the oldest part of the city, an area featured in my Walking Tour of Peaceful Places in Amsterdam's Quiet Southern Centrum.

In total, 11 Dutch universities made the list. Not bad for a country of only 16 million. For the complete list, see the Times Higher Education website.

Two Amsterdam Universities Make Higher Education Top 200 originally appeared on About.com Amsterdam Travel on Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 at 10:53:16.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Watch the Amsterdam Marathon on Sunday

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:29:32 +0000

This Sunday marks the 34th edition of the Amsterdam Marathon, which attracts nearly 20,000 participants. The action begins at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 18, at the Olympic Stadium in southern Amsterdam (also home to the finish line), where entrance is free for spectators.

Other great spots to watch the runners include the eastern side of the Vondelpark and on the north side of the Rijksmuseum on Stadhouderskade. Runners will pass both of these areas twice.

For the full route, see the map of the full 42-km course. If you miss the marathon action, the half-marathon begins at 2 p.m.

^{Pictured: Runners pass through Amsterdam's Oud Zuid neighborhood in the 2006 Amsterdam Marathon

Photo © Kristin Lunderville}

Watch the Amsterdam Marathon on Sunday originally appeared on About.com Amsterdam Travel on Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 09:29:32.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

New Photos: Only in Amsterdam

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:00:16 +0000

Some of the things I took for granted when I lived in Amsterdam were the sights and scenes so typical there, which might seem unusual anywhere else. These oh-so-Amsterdam images will make you smile.

New Photos: Only in Amsterdam originally appeared on About.com Amsterdam Travel on Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 at 18:00:16.

Permalink | Comment | Email this