Visit Amsterdam

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

Today’s post is devoted to NH Doelen, a 4-star cheap Amsterdam hotel. This hotel review has been sent by Pablo from Switzerland.
“I visited Amsterdam this summer and spent a week at NH Doelen. This cheap Amsterdam hotel is located close to the Central Station and Amsterdam’s most popular places of interest are within easy reach from the hotel. In case you are not keen of walking, there are plenty of tram connections nearby, so there won’t be any problems with reaching the city sights.

I guess they had spent a lot of money on their reception area and the lobby because they looked very lovely and elegant.
The decor of my room on the third floor was a little tired looking and could use an update; the furniture was a bit old-fashioned, but as long as I got a good price, the location of the hotel was central, I had a nice view of the Amstel out of my window and all I was doing at the hotel was sleeping so why I should complain! There was everything I needed: television, minibar, telephone, hairdryer, alarm clock and coffee and tea making facilities. I heard that some guests experienced noise, but I could hear just usual outside noise from the canal, which could hardly be controlled by the hotel staff.

I didn’t try the food served for breakfast , so I can’t comment on that.

Overall, NH Doelen was good inexpensive Amsterdam hotel, I didn’t have any problem and I liked the price, so I will probably stay there again.”

Here is a letter from one of our readers who has kindly shared his Amsterdam hotel experience.

“We were traveling around Europe this summer, and Die Port van Cleve, a 4-star budget hotel in Amsterdam, was our first stop during our 10 day trip. This affordable Amsterdam hotel was housed in a beautiful historic building in a nice location: close to the Dam Square and the Anne Frank House. For trams and busses there was a stop in front of the hotel.

We were offered a room on the front side of the hotel and there was a wonderful view of the Royal Palace out of our window. The room itself was just average, but clean and comfortable and pretty well equipped with a hairdryer, a safety deposit box, Internet connection, a  telephone, a TV set and radio. The hotel personnel were very attentive and very quick to bring us a trouser press and coffee & tea making facilities when we asked for them. I think that the apartment’s only drawback was that it was noisy at night as the trams run late.

As for food we can’t comment on that because we thought that EUR 17.50 per person for a continental breakfast was too expensive. There were so many nice cafes near Die Port van Cleve that there was no problem to find good food for cheap. The hotel bar was excellent: they specialize in Dutch gin and liquor tasting, as well as serving usual drinks and light meals.

All in all, we found Die Port van Cleve to be a nice cheap 4-star Amsterdam hotel with attentive staff and excellent location. We would recommend this hotel and would stay there again.”