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CITY OF AMSTERDAMINTRO Amsterdam is one of the world's best hangouts, a canny blend of old and new: radical squatter art installations hang off 17th-century eaves; BMWs give way to bicycles; and triple-strength monk-made beer is drunk in gleaming, minimalist cafes. The city seems to thrive on its mix and, despite hordes of tourists, still manages to feel quintessentially Dutch. The old crooked houses, the cobbled streets, the tree-lined canals and the generous parks all contribute to the atmosphere. Amsterdam's centre is enjoyably small-scale, though finding your way around the canal belt can be confusing. The old city is contained within the ring of concentric canals dating from the 17th century that form the crescent-shaped canal belt bordered by the Singelgracht. Think of it as half a bicycle wheel: the medieval city around Centraal Station is the hub, and several main roads, minor canals and the Amstel River function as spokes. Dam Square, five minutes' walk south of the station, is the centre of town, but there are several other happening 'centres', all within walking distance: Leidseplein, with much of the city's cultural life and nightlife, Rembrandtplein (nightlife), Spui ('intellectual' life) and Museumplein (culture) are just some of the focal points that make the city a joy to explore on foot or by bicycle. Centraal Station, the central train and bus station, lies on the south bank of the IJ. The airport at Schiphol is 18km (11mi) southwest of the city centre. -- from the Lonely Planet Here are a few links about Amsterdam from a tourist's perspective lonely planet website (Amsterdam) BIKES!A necessity in Amsterdam...we STRONGLY recommend that you rent one for your stay here. Here are the reasons why: The metro and the tram are a 10-15 minute walk from the fields. They cost 1.80 EUR per trip. They stop running at midnight, after that an infrequent night bus. Bikes on the other hand give you complete freedom of mobility and timing...a definite if you plan on staying out past midnight for the party! Biking is convenient, safe, and a lot of fun. Bicycle paths are everywhere, it is a major part of Amsterdam lifestyle. Bikes generally cost around 18 EUR to rent for three days. You could even be like the Dutch and use one bike for two people. Almost convinced you say? Worried about getting lost? Have no fear, we have secured very detailed maps of Amsterdam for you. So, bikes it is! It’s the number one method of transport in Amsterdam. WHERE TO RENT A BIKEAmstel Fietspoint (close to fields) macbike bike city mike's bikes RESTAURANTSOn Friday night there is only limited food at the fields for sale, so better if you fend for yourself in the big bad jungle of Amsterdam, to help we are including this list of some good places to eat in the Nieuwmarkt Area. You will find the restaurant name, street address and cuisine. To get to Nieuwmarkt use the metro map from the directions page. Top “13” Restaurants in the Nieuwmarkt AreaA fancy mix of Thai, Chinese, French, Italian and International restaurants alongside the Red Light District makes this area of Amsterdam perfect for a relaxing yet spicy evening of eats and eye candy for all ages.
Some Choice Recommendations from Other areas of townReguliersdwars Straat - Map: J7 T'Gasthuis, Grimburgwal - Map: J7 Saow Thai Cafe, Oudezijds Achterburgwal - Map: J6-7 Bazar, Albert Cuypstraat - Map: J8 Gent, Bockstraat - Map: F8 Zouk, Eerste Constantin Huygensstraat - Map: G7 Again, best bet is to eat near Nieuwmarkt on friday so that you can hop and skip to the party afterwards. Remember, if you're not on a bike, you're not in Amsterdam. Eet Smakelijk! Bon Appetit! AMSTERDAM WEATHER FORECAST
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