TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD Amsterdam Netherlands AMSTERDAM NETHERLANDS

TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD Amsterdam, Netherlands

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS The greatest planned city of northern Europe. Dated in 13 th century as a fishing village on a river bed to a major hub for business, tourism, culture and commerce. The city’s commercial success for urban city space developed in 1613 of canal houses. In 1672 a year of disaster of the Dutch Republic with the French and English attack. The city remained a staple market and financial center of Europe. www. Amsterdam/Youtube. com. Trade products-imported beer and herring. I will be traveling to Amsterdam to attend an event for an Interior Design education program, 4/17 -20/2014, 4 days-3 nights. Currency-Euro-coins and notes check security for authenticity 8 coins-1, 2, 5, 10, 50 cent 1 & 2 Euro coins Bills-5, 10, 20, 50 used 100, 200, 500 not used often Change cash to Euro expensive, use GWK bank/Central Station-24 hours or ATM’s dispense 50 Euros throughout the city

ITINERARY Online travel agency-Cheap. OAir 1 -888 -516 -3050 IAH-Houston Intercontinental Airport/IST-Istanbuk Araturk Turkish Airlines cost $682+114 tax=$805 IAH-IST Turkish Airlines flight 34 -77 w Coach/1+nonstop Tues 4/15 7: 50 p-3: 45 p-3/16 Wed 16 hours 35 minute layover IST flight 1951 -333 Thur 3/17 8: 20 a-11 a Returning IST flight 1945 -321 Coach/1+nonstop Mon 4/21 6: 15 p-10: 45 p 14 hours 20 minutes layover Tue 4/22 1: 05 p-6: 06 p Look out for fake policemen, pick-pocket, beggars and scammers Dutchmen speak English.

ITINERARY I choose to travel without a long waiting time. IAH-Houston Intercontinental Airport-United Airlines-Istanbuk Araturk Turkish Airlines cost $1198+110 tax=$1298 Coach nonstop United Airlines to Lufthansa flight 7986 -777 Thurs 4/17 3: 40 p-8: 20 a Fri 3/18 9 hours 40 minutes Lufthansa to United Airlines flight 7987 -777 Sun 4/20 10: 10 a-1: 55 p Sun 3/20 10 hours 45 minutes U. S. passport-6 months validity day of entry-$45 adults www. amsterdamtripadvisor. com The lack of small space in houses, restaurants, bathrooms and stairways due to crammed population and medieval tax laws.

MODE OF TRANSPORTATION Getting Around in Amsterdam is small and flat land with cobblestone or brick streets. Arrival from (AMS) Amsterdam’s Schiphol International Airport to Central Station, 7 -8 trains per hour Trips take 15 -20 minutes Buy tickets from machines Hotel shuffle E 16 single E 26 return Walking and bikes best transit mode. Cars not needed parking is expensive and impossible. E 8 per 24 hours Park & Ride Subway free 5 modes of transit and time-tram/metro, 6: 30 -12: 30 am bus/24 hr/day, 5 free ferries/12: 30 -7: 30 am and train A smartcard used with GVB public transit and 9292 Journey Plan.

LODGING Hotel Golden Tulip Amsterdam West E 230 a day/3 days/2 night=E 690 breakfast included www. Amomo. com 1 -917 -624 -9013 4* hotel located near Saint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Rembrandt Park and Westergrafabrick Culture Park Amenities-restaurant/bar/lounge, wireless Internet, library, dry cleaners/laundry services, 24 hr front desk/multilingual staff, security guard, computer stations, coffee/tea and flat screen television in lobby Rooms-flat screen television, ac, high speed/wireless Internet, satellite channels, hair dryer, housekeeping, direct dial phone, soundproof rooms and private bathrooms Check-in 2 pm Check-out non call for late arrivals Payment American Express, Master. Card, Visa, Diner’s Club 5. 5 city/local tax charge

RESTAURANTS Continental Breakfast available in hotel. Lunch: Lombardo’s #1 -5* Cuisine: Bar-b-cue, best Hamburgers & Sandwiches Price range: $4 -17 Locate near Rijk’s Musuem Dinner: Max #3 -4. 5* Certificate of Excellence 2013 European International cuisine Price range: $51 -82 Fine dining-reservation-late night open Tuesday-Sunday Heart of Amsterdam canal area Weather in April 54 F-high 40 F-low

ENTERTAINMENT Tulip blooms-Kerkenhof in Lisse Mid March-early mid May best blooms mid April Flower Mart-floating flower flea market on Singal Canal Windmills @ Zaaanse Schars E 7 train-Central Station to Koog. Zaandijk 20 miles outside city a traditional Holland area. Half mile walk in fresh air and near cocoa factory. The Amstel-Bodies of Water Canal Boat Tour-Redidu Kooij on Kokin Canal Bus-hop-on hop-off to get around Hema Department Store-12 different stores (I want wooden shoes) Gild Atelier-jewelry handmade store Rijksmuseum-Art collection from mid-ages to 20 th century, reopen April 2013 open daily 9 am-6 pm

CONCLUSION My visit consist of business meetings for 1. 5 day in the Van Gogh Museum where the largest art collection from Dutch painter Vincent van. Gogh (1853 -1890), 200 paintings and 600 drawings. The other 2 days was spent visiting other museums, riding the canal (gondola) and shopping for my wooden shoes. I visit the flower marts and the Kerkenhof for the beautiful tulip blooms. I experienced eating a Dutch cuisine and Dutch-American food that was delicious. The visit was to short but very attractive and enjoyable. I will come back in another season.