Amsterdam Things to Do Tips by akikonomu

Flowers Galore Flower Market - Bloemenmarkt Review

The flower market may not be anything special to locals or people living in temperate countries. Not for me who's lived in the tropics all my life. We don't get to see many temperate blooms whilst the flower market introduced me to the wide variety of spring flowers such as tulips, hyacinths, lilies etc. Nature works in strange ways - the bulbs all look more or less the same, but the blooms differ in species and colours.

A pity Singapore has restrictions on plant imports or I'd have bought a bulb or two to try out how green my fingers are. Still, I could settle for the pretty ceramic pots, garden accessories and decorations. And of course, flower pots in the shape of clogs!

Address: Singel

Dutch houses

Numerous houses of varied facades compacted in the small city centre of Amsterdam must have been the trademark of the Dutch capital. Cheery pink beside solemn formal black facades, followed by businesslike looking blue and average brick red fronts create a mishmash of houses. Imagine the inhabitants of the times gone by behind these starkly contrasting facades... No wonder the Dutch are one of the most tolerant peoplein Europe.

Visitors with keen interest in architecture could stray for hours "browsing" this real life catalogue of facades.

Dutch masterpieces Rijksmuseum Review

No better place to witness Dutch art and culture than at the Rijksmuseum. Of particular interest to me were the dollhouses which a friend introduced me to from her past visits. The details that went into the decoration of the dollhouse simulate real life objects - cushions for chairs, tassled curtains, wallpaper, baby's blanket in the cot... Ladders are available for you to climb and peer into the higher storeys of the houses.

Dutch masterpieces from Rembrandt hog the limelight with good explanations of the paintings for the benefit of amateurs.

The massive museum itself viewed from the field in front of it is imposing.

Address: Stadhouderskade 42

Phone: +31-20-6747047

Website: http://www.rijksmuseum.nl

Canal Ring Canals Review

Wander around the canal ring comprising of Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht for a view of Amsterdam's beautiful canals framed by the interesting facades of Dutch buildings. Each house has something different to see.

Directions: Tram towards Museumplein from Centraal station would pass by.