Sights and Activities
Below are the places we saw and activities completed while visiting the Netherlands:
Amsterdam
Van Gogh Museum: this outstanding museum houses the world’s largest Van Gogh collection. The artwork is displayed tracing his life from his tentative start to the black cloud that descended over him and his work.
Canal Belt Neighborhoods: this upscale neighborhood was created in the 17th century. We walked amongst architectural treasures that reflected on the narrow waters of the canals.
WesterToren: this is the highest church tower in Amsterdam at 85 m (279 ft). The crown topping the spire is the Imperial Crown of Austria of Maximilian I. The tower belongs to Westerkerk, a Dutch Protestant church.
Anne Frank Huis: the house and secret annex where the eight people were in hiding for almost two years and where Anne wrote he secret diary. We visited the actual hidden dwelling while we went through the story told by Anne’s diary of the family/people in hiding and the people that were helping them.
Royal Palace and Dam Square: the palace was built as a city hall during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, later became the royal palace of King Louis Napoleon, and finally the Dutch Royal House. It is situated on the west side of Dam Square, the original location of the dam in the River Amstel.
Red Light District: also known as de Wallen, even though we had heard about the area, we were still a little surprised to see all the near-naked prostitutes behind red-lit windows. The area was full of sex shows and adult stores mixed in with charming shops and cafes.
Begijnhof Historic Complex: an enclosed former Beguines convent from the early 14th century, it is a Catholic order of unmarried or widowed women who cared for the elderly and lived a religious life without taking monastic vows. The complex is an oasis of peace with tiny houses and gardens around a well-kept courtyard.
Museum of the Canals: small museum explaining the history and construction of the canals and houses.
Heineken Experience: a brewery tour explaining the history and process of making the beer. And of course no tour is complete without a tasting!
Amsterdam Museum: we visited the museum and went through the exhibition of Amsterdam DNA, which was about the history and culture of the city from the first settlers and the construction of the canals to the liberal city it has become now.
