Amsterdam Zoo for Beginners

Amsterdam zoo, also known as ‘Artis’ is said to be one Amsterdam’s best kept secrets and is conveniently located in centre of the city. Artis was founded in 1893 and was fully opened to the public in 1920, making it the oldest zoo in the country. Artis is actually a lot more than just a zoo, there are a number of different attractions on the site including a zoological museum, a geological museum, an aquarium and a planetarium. Artis also contains some of the best examples of architecture from the 19th century that can be seen anywhere in Amsterdam, especially the beautiful aquarium building.

Animals in Amsterdam Zoo

Amsterdam Zoo - Species and Exhibits

Amongst the various areas of Artis there are over 900 different species of animals and 200 different species of trees, as well as a stunning gardens with various flowers and butterflies. Around the grounds you will find zebras, springbok, oryx and wildebeest walking around with giraffes. There is also an area to view what happens under the water of the canal that winds through the city.

As well as the authentic canal mock up the aquarium also contains huge aquatic tanks, tropical coral reef and an Amazonian rainforest. The butterfly pavilion covers over thousand square metres, making it the largest of its type in the country. There are a wide range of species that can be seen in the pavilion including Swallowtail Butterflies and Blue Morpho. There is also an Insectarium which houses a massive range of insect species for people to see too.

You can learn more Amsterdam Zoo online online. You might also be interested in Amsterdam Film festivals if looking for events in the area. Looking also for accommodation? Make sure to check holiday-velvet.com

Amsterdam - The Weird and Wonderful

Just when you think you have seen it all, you do get to see something new when travelling and every country seems to have something unique and special. Amsterdam is no different.

On a recent trip, I was sat in one of Amsterdam's local cafes and the sight of a bar on wheels was a new experience on the list for me. I have since read up on what are known as 'beer bikes' and they are certainly controversial in many ways. The beer bikes do not help to tackle the potential problem of drunken tourist in the city. The beer bikes though are very popular and hen and stag parties seem to gravitate towards these contracptions. Chance are you will see them around Amsterdam for a while yet.

Ice Skating – A Great Winter Activity in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a fabulous city to visit at winter time as the locals get fully submerged in the festivities and the city becomes something of a winter wonderland. There are various events and activities to enjoy including ice skating on one of the outdoor rinks.

The best place to ice skate outside in Velvet Amsterdam is on the reflective pool outside the Rijskmuseum which transforms during the month of December into a large skating facility. The surroundings next to some of Amsterdam’s most celebrated buildings is one of the best features of skating here as it is so filled with character, history and culture, but also provides a bit of a shelter from any winter winds.

Ice Skating in Amsterdam is a traditional activity as in the past people would skate down the frozen canals to get to around the city, but with tighter regulations on this type of activity organised ice skating rinks are now the only option available. The rink at Rijskmuseum is open from December until March between the hours of ten in the morning and eight at night and there is a good mix of ice skating levels, with many people taking the opportunity to skate for the first time. 

An ice skating experience is not complete without the accompanying drinks and snacks, and the rink at Rijskmuseum is surrounded by a number of stalls selling hot drinks and traditional Dutch pancakes as well as doughnuts and waffles.

Watching AFC Ajax

Amsterdam boasts one of the most successful clubs in the European football history, with many of the games top players having passed through the ranks. Players such as Marco van Basten, Johan Cruyff, Dennis Bergkamp and Frank de Boer have all donned the famous red and white top, and the club has won four European Cups, thirty league titles and eighteen domestic cups.   There really are few clubs in Europe which have such a rich pedigree as this fabulous capital city club, so every sports fan should take the opportunity to attend a game at this great club whilst in the city. 


One of the most exciting aspects of attending an AFC Ajax game is the opportunity to visit the Amsterdam Arena, a wonderful arena which set the standard for modern stadia when it was finalised in 1996. The stadium was the first to have a retractable roof, yet despite the modern structure it managed to retain the fabulous atmosphere for which football in Amsterdam, and Ajax in particular, is renowned.

Each time Ajax play there is an electric atmosphere which ensures that, even if you do not like football, you are sure to have a great experience here. The sounds and sights of the stands provide a perfect accompaniment to the high standard of football which is played on the pitch. Tickets to watch Ajax can be purchased from the stadium ticket office and from various vendors in the city. Are you looking for a travel insurance deal for your trip?

Begijnhof – Amsterdam’s Secret City

There are so many interesting corners of Amsterdam to explore, but by far one of the prettiest is Begijnhof, a small gathering of buildings around a luscious piece of greenery. This is perhaps not the sort of place that you would stumble across by chance whilst in the city due to the fact that the entrance is just a door. If, however, you know about it in advance, which you now do, you should definitely take the time to find the entrance and explore this site.

Begijnhofs were initially used as a place of residence for Beguards and Beguins in the 13th and 14th century. These were religious communities who lived without formal vows. The features which make these places of residence so interesting are the peace which can be discovered in amongst the busy city, the intriguing design of the small houses, the church and chapel, the aesthetical values of the design and the intriguing history of the place. Although much of the area is not open to tourists, there is still plenty to amuse the visitor, if only for a short period of time. The contrast between the city outside these walls and the peaceful oasis within is amazing to behold.

It is important to remember when visiting Begijnhof that it is still a place of residence, and visitors are welcomed on the basis that they treat the experience and the residences with the respect that they deserve. Photo taking in particular should be kept discreet.

Interested in more Amsterdam attractions? You might also be interested in:

• The Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam, Holland - a world famous attraction.
• The great 9 Streets shopping area in Amsterdam.

Traditional Dutch Music and Instruments

A Draaiorgel been transported.

Draaiorgel

Below is a guide to some of the traditional instruments and forms of music which you can experience on your trip to Amsterdam.

Draaiorgel

This is one of the instruments most commonly associated with Amsterdam, and indeed Holland in general. Despite actually being of Italian origin, the use of the draaiorgel in Amsterdam is widespread. This is a large instrument which can best be described as an automatic pipe organ, and generally has interesting design externally.

Beiaard

This is an instrument which consists of various bells linked together. It can vary in size with the largest being quite a sight to behold. The beiaard in the mint tower in Amsterdam is one of the more famous examples and is well worth a visit.

Fanfare

In this sort of music a procession of people will walk together playing different instruments, which can include drums, saxophone and the trumpet. Generally it is traditional Dutch music which is played, especially during events. It will be rare to find a festive event in Holland which does not include a fanfare.

Levenslied

These are traditional Dutch songs which generally have a simple melody and tell a story about life, varying from love and joy to loneliness and death. Traditionally this type of music would only involve Dutch instruments, but in recent times other instruments have been creeping in to give it a more modern feel.

Different Cheeses to Try in Amsterdam

Amsterdam Cheese

Cheese is a popular and common food in Amsterdam and there are a number of different cheeses to try to try in Amsterdam. When visiting the city, you’ll find that many of the shops and factories around the city offer various cheeses during their tasting sessions and these are good opportunities for you to sample Amsterdam cheese. Below are just some of those that you could try.

Gouda Cheese

This is a native Dutch cheese which is round and red (wax) in appearance with a yellow interior. There are various different types to try, with the cheeses differing greatly depending on their age.

Younger cheeses are softer and creamier whilst those which are a bit older are harder and have a somewhat salty edge. The red waxy exterior cannot be eaten but is essential in creating the taste.

Old Amsterdam Cheese

This is a gourmet cheese which is one of the most famous to be produced in this city. You can buy the cheese around the world but there is something about the freshness of that available in Amsterdam which makes it taste so much better. It also makes for a great original gift for someone back home.

Le Petit Doruvael

Despite its French sounding names, this is a traditional Dutch cheese which is gooey and has a distinctive aroma. It is bright red/orange in colour so you are sure not to miss it. The milk that is used to make this cheese is chosen for its high quality which guarantees its delightful taste.

Out of the different cheeses to try in Amsterdam, despite whichever of these will appease to your taste, you can agree that you can only get the best of them in the heart of the city of Amsterdam.

My Ferry Journey from Harwich to Amsterdam

Recently, when I decided that I had spent about as much time as I could in my office for once month, I decided to get out of the UK for a while and explore some unchartered territory. I wanted to go somewhere which could offer culture, history, character and entertainment. I also wanted to go somewhere that I could take my car as I simply cannot stand travelling on public transport and much prefer the comfort of my own vehicle. With this criteria in mind, I decided that Amsterdam would be the ideal location. After doing a bit of research I discovered that I could travel to Holland via ferry, departing from Harwich and arriving in the Hook of Holland.

Initially I was slightly disappointed that the port in Holland was not closer to Amsterdam. In fact, when I actually arrived in Amsterdam this turned out to be a good thing as it gave me the opportunity to view a lot of landscape that I would otherwise have missed. The journey to the city centre was only an hour and a half long and it gave me a chance to test myself at driving on the alternate side of the road, which was all part of the adventure. The ferry journey itself was really pleasant and I am so glad that I chose that option.

Travelling by sea always feels more of a personal experience as you get the chance to take in nice views, wander around the ferry and enjoy the various entertainment options on board. The journey across the sea took approximately 6 hours, and the reasonable price for which I was able to travel saved me a considerable amount as opposed to flying.

Travelling instead by coach to Amsterdam? Also interested in ferry routes to Ibiza for summer dance music in the sun?

A Guide to Amsterdam Coach Station

There are a variety of ways in which to visit Amsterdam, the capital of Holland. The most obvious means of travel when visiting Amsterdam is the aeroplane, whilst the ferry and train are two other common choices. One method of travel which is often neglected but which can be cheap, fun and a great way to experience more of the country is coach.

Travelling to Amsterdam via coach means that you will have to travel through other parts of the country that you would otherwise not see, this includes a significant amount of countryside that you would not experience by flying directly into city. Other advantages of travelling by coach include that you will often make the journey across the sea on the ferry, which means that you can take advantage of the on board entertainment as well as the duty free retail opportunities.

Travelling to Amsterdam via coach you will generally arrive into Amstel Station which is approx two miles from the city centre. There is a metro line located just a few hundred yards walk from the coach station meaning that, realistically, you could complete the journey in about ten minutes.

In the modern day travel market where there is a great deal of competition to obtain customers, one can find unbelievably coach cheap tickets to Amsterdam if you keep an eye out for offers or book your journey reasonably far in advance.

A Visit to the Anne Frank Museum

The Second World War was one of the biggest conflicts ever to take place. It influenced people from all over the world, causing massive devastation to lives, property, land and the economy. There are many famous stories which arose from the war, either at the time or it eh following period, which demonstrate the hardships and struggles that people at the time had to endure.

One of the most famous of these stories is that of Anne Frank, the young Jewish girl who hid in a secret cove in her home together with her family in an attempt to avoid capture by the German soldiers who were rounding up Jews for the purpose of ethnic cleansing.

After surviving undiscovered for a long period of time, Ann Frank was finally caught after a neighbour provided information of her family’s whereabouts to German soldiers. Anne’s diary was subsequently found which documented the day-to-day experiences of family in hiding until the time of capture. The diary was turned into a book and caught the imagination of people around the world who were unable to comprehend that such a young girl should have to take such drastic measures to survive.

In the centre of Amsterdam there is a museum which pays tribute to the Frank family’s experience. It is the opportunity for people to visit the place where Anne hid whilst viewing photos, videos and artefacts from the house. This museum is an absolute must for people visiting Amsterdam as it is both educational and insprirational.

The Anne Frank Museum is open year round and prices and opening times can be found on the official Anne Frank attraction website. It is a fascinating attraction and one certainly to consider.