Introduction to Holland.
For a long time we were going to visit this interesting country and this ancient city, and finally such an opportunity presented itself. Let us have only 3 days, but for acquaintance and, so to speak, a general idea, this was quite enough.
We got from Germany by car, so we chose a hotel in advance not in the center, but closer to the outskirts of Amsterdam, right next to the autobahn and, importantly, next to the metro station. It was decided that we would leave the car near the hotel in the parking lot and go to the center by metro, it was more convenient and as it turned out later it was absolutely the right decision. Daily cards for transport are inexpensive, but it is very difficult to find parking in the city and not get a heart attack from the abundance of cyclists. The hotel was located near the Ajax Arena and it took no more than 20 minutes to get to the center by metro. In addition, having a travel ticket, it was easy to change, except for the metro, to trams, and ride even until you are blue in the face.
On the first day, we got to the Nieuwmarkt metro station, then on foot in the direction of the Central Station and St. Nicolaaskerk, then moved down Rokin Damrak street down to the intersection with Amstel street, reached the Rembrandt monument and from there to the famous flower market. It must be said that along the way there were a huge number of museums, churches and squares, various sights that cannot be described individually, it will take too much time, so I will limit myself to the general scheme. After the market, we returned to the metro station and the hotel. We were very tired, considering that we walked 12 km, twisted our heads in all directions and took pictures.
The next day, we left the hotel early at 9 am and returned to the center. We climbed the entire center on foot, took a tram to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, then Vondelpark, again the tram to the central station and on foot to the Nemo Museum (Museum Nemo), where we had a little rest, drank a beer on the roof museum and again on the road - look for the famous Python bridge. We found it, though we had to pretty walk on foot, but we were very pleased that, having escaped from the center clogged with tourists, we looked a bit at the outskirts of Amsterdam, so to speak - Another Amsterdam, a sleeping area. Very interesting. And I also completely forgot to add that in the midst of this turmoil we visited the famous flea market at Waterlooplein, where we bought a couple of souvenirs. Well, in the evening, closer to darkness, we again moved to the most interesting point of Amsterdam at night, to the red-light district, although it should be noted that there are more than one of these streets and small alleys, a whole block, but it all starts near the Oude Kerk church. After walking more than 20 km on foot and tired as the dogs returned to the hotel late in the evening.
On the last day of our short tour, we went by car to the well-known throughout Europe Keukenhof tulip market, since it is very close to Amsterdam, 36 km away. The beauty there is, of course, indescribable and flora lovers will be simply amazed.
Well, that's how we looked around Amsterdam and Holland as a whole, running, of course, galloping through Europe, as they say, but what to do, we'll leave everything unseen for next time. . .
P. S. Great impressions, positive emotions and warm memories, but I’ll still add a couple of fly in the ointment to the story . . Too many tourists, too many cyclists, in the center it’s not only impossible to get around by car, but sometimes it’s scary to walk on foot - crowds of cyclists sweep everything away on their way even at traffic lights, do not give way to anyone, drive like crazy.
P. S. 2 And I forgot - we rode a boat along the canals of Amsterdam, it is also very interesting and informative, I recommend it
