Amsterdam Boutique Apartments

A stylish apartment located in the souterrain of an authentic, monumental canal house in the centre of Amsterdam. This doesn't sound as an apartment for rent at all, but it is. This is one of the places to stay you wish you can find and book when planning your trip.

The apartment is spacious and luxury and the modern oriental accents provide the finishing touch. I just love the bathroom with jacuzzi with mood lights and the beautiful picture on the wall. It's zen in the city. A perfect place to unwind after an exciting day, or night, in vibrant Amsterdam.

The location could not have been better right behind the Spui and near many places of interest such as Leidse square, Rembrandt square, Dam square, flower market, the museum area and the main shopping streets. When staying here you have Amsterdam literally on your doorstep. And not to forget the Singel canal with it's authentic canal houses.

When staying here you can enjoy the luxury of a 5 star hotel in your "own" apartment. The owner thought about everything from a PC with internet access to a very complete kitchenette with an espresso machine and from in house private yoga classes to in house massage service.

Interested after reading this? Visit their website:

Amsterdam Boutique Apartments

Telegraaf

Sail 2010

From August 19 to 23 the 8th edition of SAIL will take place in Amsterdam. SAIL is one of the largest maritime festivals in the world. The theme of SAIL 2010 is "a nautical encounter between the past, present and future".

The Sail-in and Sail-out parade will be spectacular with hundreds of ships from around the world. The impressive fleet, which includes modern ships, naval ships and historical replicas, will enter and leave Amsterdam together with the tall ships in front.

During SAIL 2010 the Amsterdam IJ harbour will host a variety of activities, performances and exhibitions for young and old. You can step onboard and explore most of the tall ships for free or take a guided tour, enjoy musical and dance performances on stage or visit the nautical market. Children can take sailing lessons or explore the ING Pirate Island. See match races between some of the best Dutch sailors or watch the demonstrations by the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM) and the Royal Netherlans Navy. And if this is all not enough there will be a fantastic closing ceremony with fireworks on the water every day at 22.00 hrs.

SAIL 2010 is a celebration for everyone. Even if you are not a boat lover or watersports enthusiast SAIL is definately a highlight which you should not miss out if you are in Amsterdam.

Visitor information
19 to 23 August 2010, IJ Harbour, Amsterdam
website: SAIL 2010
SAIL YouTube channel: YouTube SailAmsterdam2010
SAIL photos on Flickr: Flickr SAIL photos

Dutch newspaper: Telegraaf .

Rembrandt breakfast

July the 15th it is 404 years ago that Rembrandt van Rijn, the most famous painter of the Golden Age, was born. The Rijksmuseum celebrates his birthday every year with a breakfast and you are invited.

The breakfast is for free. Herring with white bread is being served. There are free guided and audio tours and a lottery is organized. Also the children can have fun in the garden of the museum as activities are organized for them. And of course you can taste the big birthday cake.

Thursday July 15, 2010 - 07.00 - 09.00 in the garden of the museum.

Address: Jan Luijkenstraat 1, Amsterdam

The breakfast is organized every year. You can check the museum website for more information: Rijksmuseum
.

Dutch East Indiaman The Amsterdam

The Dutch East Indiaman The Amsterdam is a replica of an 18th century VOC ship. These ships were used for sailing to the Far East. They were sailing up to 8 months to get to Far East and the return was 1 month less. From 1602 to 1795 East Indiaman made 4800 voyages of which less than 4% (192) was lost at sea.

In 1749 The Amsterdam sailed up the North Sea but during a storm the rudder snapped and the master decided to beach the brand-new ship at the south coast of England trying to save the people, cargo and vessel. Unfortunately the East Indiaman sank into the mud. The wreck of the original East Indiaman provided archeologists with valuable information about the construction of VOC ships, their cargoes and life on board.

Almost 200 years later after the demise of the Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie construction of a new ship started. During construction the original East Indiaman was largely copied but there are also some differences as a result of modern standards. The hull and the decks are now made of tropical wood instead of oak and there enough space between the decks to stand up straight. Also the spars are glued and the ladders are replaced by stairs. The Amsterdam was constructed by more than 400 volunteers and was berthed at the Maritime Museum in 1991.

The 'Amsterdam' statistics
Keel length: 42,5 m
Length from stem to stem: 48,0 m
Beam: 11,5 m
Draught: 5,5 m
Height from keel to mast top: 56,0 m
Displacement: 1100 tons
Guns (original): 42
Guns (replica): 16

Visitor information

East Indiaman Amsterdam is moored at science center NEMO
Oosterdok 2
1011 VX Amsterdam
Tel. +31 (0)20 5232 222
Entrance 5 EUR pp



The East Indiaman Amsterdam is opened from Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Also opened on Mondays during school holidays and in June, July and August
Closed on Christmas (December 25) New Year's Day and Queen's Day (April 30)

Visit the website for more information: http://www.scheepvaartmuseum.nl/english/collection/eastindiaman-amsterdam

Taste some Reypenaar cheese

When walking in Amsterdam, enjoying the views of the canals and houses, I found this nice cheese shop from Reypenaar. Their cheese is really delicious. We brought it once to our friends in Malaysia and they loved it too. In the shop you can taste the cheese before buying it. They have these small cheese guillotines which you can use to cut some cheese for tasting. When you buy the cheese it is all packed for travel. So it will be no problem to bring it back home, even if you live on the other side of the world.

The historic ripening process of the Reypenaer cheeses is unique in the Netherlands. In the 100-year-old warehouse on the Oude Rijn river in Woerden, the Reypenaer cheeses are matured in an entirely natural way. Over time, this process leads to the distinctive and complex taste with its exceptional aroma that characterises these artisan cheeses.

If you think a visit to the shop only is not enough, you can visit the Reypenaer Cheese Tasting Rooms which are near the shop. You can personally test and evaluate the flavour, the aroma and the qualities of the Reypenaer cheeses, all under the guidance of an expert cheese taster.

Each cheese tasting session lasts approximately one hour, and caters for a maximum of 20 people per tasting. Tasting workshops take place every Wednesday to Sunday throughout the day from 11.00 to 17.00.

The basic introductory workshop costs €7.50 per person. There is also an Advanced Tasting (with wine) at €10.00 per person and a Connoisseur Tasting (with wine and port) costing €12.50 per person. They also cater for private groups, corporate events and private parties for groups of up to 20 people.

Can't wait untill you're in Amsterdam? They have an online shop where you can order your favourite cheese to get it delivered at home: http://www.wijngaardkaas.nl/en

Reypenaer Cheese Tasting Rooms - Singel 182, Amsterdam.

tel: +31 (20) 3206333 email: info@reypenaerproeflokaal.nl

Tasting centre for some of the finest Dutch cheeses.

Opening Hours: From Sunday and Monday 12.00 to 18.00 and Wednesday to Saturday 10.00 to 18.00 

How to get there by Public Transport: From Amsterdam Central Station with Tramline 1,2,5,13 or 17 or Bus 142, 144 or 170. Get out at stop Dam/Raadhuisstraat.

Worldheritage days 19-20 June 2010

Since the early 1990s the Netherlands has been actively involved in the 1972 World Heritage Convention. The Dutch Lower House ratified the convention in 1992 upon which the Netherlands submitted a Tentative List.

The Dutch Tentative List centres on four topics: The Netherlands – Land of Water, the Republic in the 17th century, the Modern Movement, and Archaeology. The first World Heritage site in the Netherlands was designated in 1995. There are now six World Heritage sites in the Netherlands and one in the Netherlands Antilles.

When visiting the World Heritage sites during the World Heritage weekend you will see that special programs and activities are being organized. It is an excellent opportunity to explore the Dutch World Heritage sites.

For some general information on the Dutch World Heritage sites please go to http://www.werelderfgoed.nl/pages/en.php

Or go to the individual sites:

Schokland

http://www.schokland.nl/pageid=23/EN.html

The Defence line of Amsterdam

http://www.stelling-amsterdam.nl/english/index.html

The mill network of Kinderdijk

http://www.stichting-kinderdijk.nl/

Woudagemaal

http://www.woudagemaal.nl/

The Beemster

http://www.beemsterinfo.nl/

Rietveld-Schröder house

http://www.centraalmuseum.nl/page.ocl?pageid=69&mode=&version==

 

.