Visit Amsterdam

Let’s continue the story where I’ve stopped the last time. I was telling you guys about the nice hotel I came accross during my journey through Amsterdam with a bike.

The next day I checked out at the Park Plaza Hotel Victoria nearby the Central Station of Amsterdam. It was a pleasant stay in the hotel, but not really my thing. I went to the hotel that I’ve mentioned before and booked 3 nights at the hotel Ibis Amsterdam Stopera. The location of the hotel is great, a huge supermarket and Chinatown called ‘Nieuwmarkt’ are within walking distance where you can eat good oriental food for less! The hotel is modern, new and it has a nice restaurant with a bar.

I’ve stayed in a single Ibis room equiped with a bathroom, flatscreen and even a safe, the room was small but clean and tidy. I paid €70 a night at the hotel Ibis Amsterdam Stopera which is excellent value for Hotels in Amsterdam. The room is also equiped with the latest technology using a keycard to get access to your room and elevator. So my conclusion is that I’m very satisfied with this hotel, got to go now….I’m hungry for some Asian food!!

So I rented a bike for one day to explore Amsterdam centre, the weather was quite nice and not too cold. I planned to explore the city in 4 parts, otherwise I’ll miss something due to shortage of time. First to explore is the eastern part of Amsterdam where the Zoo is located, it is called ‘Artis’ in Dutch founded in 1838. The entrance is €17,70 for adults and €14,50 for children between 3-9 years old. Bought a ticket to visit this fantastic historical Zoo of Amsterdam and it didn’t dissapointed me. I was impressed by the various animals and the beautiful historical buildings that this Zoo offers you. Stayed about 3 hours and went my way again to explore the rest of the eastern part of Amsterdam.

Next to visit is the ‘dappermarkt’, it’s a big market where you can buy almost everything. From food to shoes, so ladies this is a really nice spot to visit if you have a tight budget. It caught my attention when I was strolling down the market that there were alot of different cultures are living here together in this part of Amsterdam. Alot of small restaurants and cafes situated around the market where you can sit down and relax with a cup of coffee or tea.

I noticed during this trip that there weren’t many hotels located in this part of Amsterdam, just saw one Amsterdam hotel that’s located on the boarder of this district. Hotel Amsterdam Ibis Stopera is a 3-star hotel with more then 200 hotelrooms. Went inside to take a look at the restaurant and the lobby, I must say it was a very nice looking hotel. Think I’m going to stay 1 night in this hotel tomorrow, because I have booked 2 nights at the Victoria Hotel Amsterdam. It also has a central garden located inside the Hotel Ibis Amsterdam City Stopera.

Hello everybody! The Park Plaza Victoria hotel Amsterdam is really nice located across the Central Station of Amsterdam, just a few minutes away from all the public transport. My room was located on the 3rd floor with a nice view over the canals and the beautiful historical buildings of the city. The room was a bit small but efficiently furnished, clean and tidy. The staff was friendly and helpfull, I had a big list of questions for them The Amsterdam Victoria hotel is equiped with a fittnesroom, spa and a restaurant with a bar.

Today I explored the city by bike, rented at ‘macbike’ for 1 day for just €8,50. Using a bike to transport yourself through the city is a common thing here in the Netherlands. Unbelieveble, I’ve never seen so much bikers before. Packed a map, drinks and some sandwiches that I picked up at the supermarket named ‘Albert Heijn’ and started my adventure.

I’ll report my adverture on the bike later on to you guys!

Tips for those who take a risk to have his/her vacancies in Amsterdam

When asking my friends about difficulties in the strange city it is often to hear the answer which contains a mention of telephony and other kinds of communication.
And that is why I decided to tell you something about street phones in Amsterdam.

There are several kinds of them. For example, you can easily pay coins in coin-box telephones, but the best way is to buy a phone-card at the post-office or in the most of tobacco shops. The head post-office – postkantoor – is located at the corner Singel near the Dam square and works even on Saturdays. You can buy a 5-, 10- and 20 Euro phone-cards. The instruction for phone using will be there in both English and Dutch. And one more note: be careful with your luggage when speaking, especially at the Central Station.

Here are the phone numbers that may come handy when you are in Amsterdam:

The head post office: 5563311
Telegraph (Raadhuisstraat): 48-50
Taxi order: 6777777
Urgent help (paramedics, police, fire-fighters): 112, 555-5555
Central police station (Elandsgracht 117): 5599111
Central medical service: 0900-5032042
Enquiry service: 118, inside the country – 8008
International enquiry service: 0418
Representative office of airport of Amsterdam: 627-05-61
Extraordinary situations: 06/112
Police: 112 or 622-2222
Road service: 0888
Rescue service: 112 or 0900-8844