Travel And Tourism: Europe

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Diamond Museum

By 13:04

See how the sparkling precious stones are formed, admire diamond-studded works of art and learn about Amsterdam’s historical connection to the gems.

The Diamond Museum in Amsterdam takes you on a journey that started about three billion years ago when diamonds were formed, and ends with the diamond polishing process as it’s done today.
For centuries, Amsterdam was an important center for diamond production, employing generations of mainly Jewish diamond polishers. The former “city of diamonds” lost this status in World War II, when most Dutch Jews were either murdered by Nazis or left the country of their own free will. The diamond industry in The Netherlands never fully recovered, but is still active today.
Head to the Diamond Museum to admire the small, yet impressive collection of gemstones and jewelry, plus replicas of world-renowned diamonds. The museum experience begins with a short film illustrating how diamonds are formed under the earth. This is a great orientation to the collection of rings, necklaces and brooches.
Marvel at the House of Oranje-Nassau section, which contains replicas of some of the Dutch Royal family’s most important heirlooms. There are several videos, one about infamous diamond robberies. Another movie explains how to find out if a diamond is fake — try out the technique for yourself! Discover how the South-African De Beers company became the biggest producer of rough diamonds in the world. At the exhibit Amsterdam, City of Diamonds, informative signs describe how the Dutch capital was the center of diamond polishing and trade for 400 years.
Admire the bejeweled Japanese katana, a sword created by a Dutch artist. She used Murano glass, and a jewel designer set it with 1967 diamond pieces and 494 rubies. A rotating exhibit room showcases diamond-related items, borrowed from other collections from all over the world.
The Diamond Museum looks out over the Museumplein. The nearest tram stop is Hobbemastraat. You can also take the canal boat tour to the dock at Rijksmuseum and walk from there. There are parking lots in the city center, but spaces are limited.
The museum is open daily and you should allow about an hour for your visit.

Vondelpark

By 13:02

One of the oldest and largest public parks in Amsterdam is a relaxing place to rest, have lunch or watch a performance after visiting the nearby museums.

Vondelpark is a State Monument and an Amsterdam hot spot in summer. This is where locals go to sunbathe, cycle or play outside. There are also concerts or other performances on weekends. Over 10 million visitors come here every year to enjoy nature and culture, as well as order drinks and meals on the restaurant terraces.
Opened in 1865, Vondelpark injected much-needed greenery into the then already very developed city. The park was named after the Dutch poet and playwright Joost van den Vondel. At that time it was a popular place for strolling or horseback riding. Today, the horses have made room for bicycles, of which there seem to be hundreds at any given time.
Vondelpark is at its liveliest when the sun shines and the locals flock here for a much-needed dose of vitamin D in the sometimes cold and rainy country. In summer, the Dutch suddenly all show their skin, with the ladies sunbathing in bikinis and the men playing soccer in shorts. No matter which time of year, locals love to come here for their lunch break or to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends.
Lounge on the grass, or rent a bike or roller blades to explore the paved pathways that loop through the 120 acres (47 hectares) of greenery, ponds and flowerbeds. There are playgrounds, a rose garden and terraces. The ponds, hawthorn and chestnut trees are frequented by a interesting variety of birdlife. While sitting on one of the benches, keep an eye out for the wild parakeets and nesting storks. There’s also a Picasso statue in the park: the Spanish artist donated The Fish in 1965.
An open-air theater hosts musical concerts, plus theater and cabaret between June and August. Some shows are free, others request a donation. Afterwards, enjoy coffee with pancakes at one of the pavilions. You can also grab a chair on the big terrace of the circular Blauwe Theehuis (Blue Teahouse), a gathering place since 1937.
Vondelpark is a short walk from Leidseplein and a few blocks north of the Museumplein, where many trams stop. There are parking lots in the city center, but spaces are limited.

Leidseplein

By 13:02

This lively square in the heart of Amsterdam’s cultural district offers dining and entertainment, with an array of theater, movie, music, comedy and street performances.

Delve into the many delights of buzzing Leidseplein to people-watch while enjoying a meal or just a drink after a day of sightseeing. In the warmer months, the area is packed with people gathered on the terraces of the restaurants and bars. Order a local beer and watch the street performers. In the winter, visit one of the many restaurants or clubs, or head to the ice rink surrounded by hot food and drink stalls for an atmospheric outdoor experience. If you love architecture, 17th-century Leidseplein has some interesting buildings for a walking tour.
There’s plenty to do at night at Leidseplein. Enjoy a typical Dutch meal or order American-style fast food before taking in a movie or a concert. Art lovers can meet up at De Balie, a cultural center for film screenings, theater and debate. De Balie’s buzzing café faces Leidseplein. For a laugh, watch the street performers or book a comedy show (in English) in one of the nearby theaters. Music lovers should check out popular nightclubs Paradiso and Melkweg. These local institutions also host concerts and cultural events. Check their websites for a current schedule of shows and to buy tickets in advance.
In the redbrick neo-Gothic Stadsschouwburg that dominates the square, many of the performances are suitable for an international audience. Dutch plays often have surtitles, which are digital displays with English translations. Next door are the ornate fountain, bar and restaurant of the Amsterdam American Hotel, a National Monument in art deco–style. A two-minute walk away is Max Euweplein, an arty square with a life-sized chess board. Here you will find the Hard Rock Café, with a lovely terrace facing the canal, and the Holland Casino.
Leidseplein is in the southwest of the Canal Ring and easy to get to by public transport, even late at night. It’s a short walk from the Vondelpark. If you are driving, consider leaving your car at one of the park-and-ride lots at the edge of the city and then use public transport to get around. There are parking lots in the city center, but spaces are limited.
Many pubs close just after midnight, but clubs stay open almost all night.

Flower Market

By 13:01

Enjoy the colors and fragrance of typical Dutch flowers, or buy bulbs and souvenirs while browsing the floating flower stalls on one of Amsterdam’s oldest canals.

There is no other place in the world like the Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market) in Amsterdam. This collection of floating stalls has been located on the Singel canal since 1862. It’s the only remaining one of its kind in the Netherlands. Shop for fresh tulips or seeds to plant at home and other souvenirs of Holland. When buying natural products check first with the merchants if you can legally take, or mail, them to your home country.
Constructed on a series of pontoons, the front of the 15 stalls of the Flower Market spills out onto Singel street. The water of the Singel canal marked the city’s outer edge in the 15th century.
Flower varieties on sale depend on the time of year. Locals come here to buy tulips in spring, roses in summer and Christmas trees in December. There’s even a Christmas store that sells tree ornaments and candles year-round. It’s easy to spend an hour or so browsing the stalls, and then head to the bridge to take photos of this unique floating market.
Learn about Dutch flowers and take in the sweet scents of species such as lilies, carnations and roses. The Flower Market is a good place to purchase bulbs, such as tulips and narcissus. Prices are reasonable, making this a great place to shop for both flowers and souvenirs. Marijuana plants and cannabis kits are also on display.
Many shops here sell the trademark Delfts Blauw porcelain of Holland, painted clogs and Dutch cheese. Don’t be afraid to barter, as the Dutch have a long history of trading and don’t mind a bit of negotiating. Visit the café for a toasted sandwich with Gouda or Edam cheese.
The Flower Market floats between the bridges of Koningsplein and Muntplein. A visit to the covered stalls is free and they are open daily, but the area can get crowded. Many trams and buses from Central Station stop at Muntplein and Koningsplein. If you are driving, consider leaving your car at one of the park-and-ride lots at the edge of the city and then use public transport to get around. There are parking lots in the city center, but spaces are limited.

Zaanse Schans

By 12:55

Wander through working windmills, taste local liqueurs, take a basic course in traditional methods of chocolate making and watch the carving of clogs.

Jump on your bicycle for a daytrip to the wonderful world of windmills, traditional crafts and rolling green fields that is Zaanse Schans. Just a short pedal away by bike from Zaandam, the former milling village awaits you. See its museums, historic buildings, clog makers and liquor distilleries.
Zaanse Schans is known for its charming and numerous windmills. In the town’s heyday as an industrial area in the 18th and 19th centuries, it had about 600 mills. Today there are fewer and many of them have been brought to Zaanse Schans from elsewhere in the Netherlands, but they continue their work, some using traditional methods and others more modern. Walk around and note their uses, which include mustard milling, sawing, oil milling and even dying fabric.
Visit some of the mills to see them in production. They have different opening hours, so it is best to check before you go. De Huisman, the spice grinding mill, which you’ll be able to locate by its smell, is worth a visit for the freshly ground products that you can purchase in its traditional shop.
The area has also been known for its craftspeople. Today you can visit workshops to see demonstrations of clog making, porcelain painting, pewter making and barrel making. Taste the locally crafted liquors at Liqueur Distillery de Tweekoppige Phoenix. Grains ground in the milling town were also used historically for alcohol production.
Get an education in chocolate making using historical techniques at the Cocoa Lab and taste test the treats made at the site.
For a bit of background on the industrial past of Zaanse Schans, visit the Zaans Museum, where you’ll see old utensils and factory equipment. Interact with computer games and displays that simulate the experience of factory work. See the fantastic craftsmanship of Dutch clocks throughout time in the Museum Zaanse Tijd and enjoy the smells and tastes of freshly baked bread and sweet treats in the town’s original 1658 bakery.

Volendam Harbour

By 12:53

Head to the town’s esplanade for cafés and restaurants with fresh fish, views over the water and shops where you can photograph yourself in traditional costumes.

The liveliest place in the old fishing village of Volendam is its harbor full of historic sailing ships. Here you’ll find cafés where you can relax on a sunny afternoon and visit stalls selling salted herring, smoked eel and kibbeling. See Volendam Harbour’s traditional triangle-shaped architecture and forest of sailing ship masts which make it seem miles away from Amsterdam.
This town was originally the harbor of nearby Edam, but in the 14th century the Edammers dug their own canal to the Zuiderzee. Notice that the original harbor was reclaimed by damming and became the fishing village of Volendam, complete with its own traditions and culture.
If you have ever wanted to know how you’d look in a traditional Dutch costume, Volendam is the place to find out. Along the harborfront are shops where you can try on and photograph yourself in the Volendam style of “klederdracht,” complete with pleated hat and clogs for the ladies and wide-legged pants for the men. If you’re not interested in dressing up yourself, find plenty of photo opportunities with the many statues in the harbor depicting Volendammers in historic dress.
Walk just behind the harbor to the Volendams Museum where you can learn about the history, costumes and culture of the area between 1850 and 1950 in rooms decorated in period furniture.
If you have time, take the ferry from the harbor to the village of Marken. After a 13th-century storm, it became accessible for hundreds of years only by watercraft. Now it is joined to Waterland south of Volendam by a dike.
Having been isolated for so long, Marken maintained traditional culture and architecture much longer than did other mainland towns. Inhabitants developed their own traditional costumes and unique houses on stilts to deal with regular flooding. Walk along the island’s beach to see the lighthouse, built in 1839. When you get hungry, visit one of several restaurants around the ferry terminal. Try the local delicacy of smoked eel.
Be sure to visit Volendam Harbour and Marken for traditions, food and culture that you’re not likely to see in many other places.