Amsterdam Highlights

Anne Frank House | Artis Zoo | Diamond Factories | Royal Palace | Madame Tussauds | NEMO
Rijksmuseum | Stedelijk Museum | Van Gogh Museum | Canal Cruises | Other Things to See and Do

Anne Frank House The Anne Frank House is situated in the center Amsterdam: the hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during World War II. Anne Frank was a normal girl in exceptional circumstances. For more than two years her diary described the events in her daily life. top

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Artis Zoo Artis, the oldest zoo in the Netherlands, founded in 1838, shows its historical character even before you walk through the gates: two golden eagles are perched proudly atop the main entrance. People enjoy the 19th-century atmosphere of the gardens: the winding paths, majestic trees, the fascinating sculptures and the monumental historical buildings. Artis is a haven of peace and quiet right in the city centre of Amsterdam. Artis is a fascinating zoo. In an area of 14 hectares around 700 species of animals provide a magnificent overview of the entire animal kingdom. Amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds, mammals and insects... all are superbly represented. Artis's renowned Aquarium brings you face to face with … the secret life of Amsterdam's canals! Around the zoo you'll find many more Dutch and European animal and plant species, as well as more exotic ones. You can also come to quench your thirst for knowledge at the Planetarium, the museums and all kinds of smaller exhibitions. Artis offers many possibilities for an enjoyable and exciting day out. You can take a look at animals from all parts of the world. Or you can visit the Geological Museum, the Zoological Museum, the Plant Houses, the Aquarium or the Planetarium. These parts together form the inspiring ‘Museum van het Leven’ (Museum of Life); Artis. The botanical garden of Artis is one attraction that visitors must not miss. Although many of the plants and trees in Artis are native to the Netherlands, many species have been gathered from all over the world, just like the animal species in Artis. As they wander through the zoo, visitors to Artis get a good impression of the diversity of plants, trees and shrubs that make up the plant kingdom. Those species of plants that are not at home in our climate are to be found in greenhouses and heated buildings. The large greenhouses are to the rear of the zoo. Tulips lovers are advised to visit Artis in spring. The Artis Electronic Guide will lead you through the romantic garden of Holland's first zoo and will answer all your questions. Whatever information you want: about the animals, about the Museums, about the collections of plants and the greenhouses, about opportunities for lunch or just for a snack, in no time the Artis Electronic Guide will show you the animal, the map, or text on its screen. You can rent the Artis Electronic Guide at the Planetarium for only € 4,00. You will have to give a security of € 250,00 (using a credit card slip) and you must show a valid passport. And then the Guide is yours, for 1 day! Plantage Kerklaan 38-40 1018 CZ Amsterdam (Artis, P.O. Box 20164, 1000 HD Amsterdam, The Netherlands) Tel. no.: +31-20-5233400 Fax no.: +31-20-5233481 Dutch website: www.artis.nl International website: www.amsterdamzoo.nl E-mail: info@artis.nl Artis is open every day of the year, from 09.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. During the period of 'summer time' Artis closes at 18.00. The entrance fee in 2002 for adults is € 13,50, for senior citizins (65+) € 12,00 and for children from 4 to 11 years € 9,50. Groups exceeding 20 people get a discount of € 1,50 per adult and of € 1,00 per child (from 4 to 11 years). An entry ticket for Artis also provides admission to the Planetarium, the Geological Museum, the Aquarium and the Zoological Museum. Dogs are not allowed in the zoo. Tip: Guides and maps The Zooguide in English is € 4,00, a map in English/Dutch/German/French is € 1,20. These products are available at the entrance as well as at the Planetarium Counter. Here you'll be able to rent the Artis Electronic Guide as well. top

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Diamond factories When the diamond trade was introduced to Amsterdam in the 16th century, this city developed into one of the world's most important diamond centers. After the Second World War almost nothing remained of this. During the War more than 2000 Jewish diamond polishers disappeared from Amsterdam into concentration camps in Germany and Poland. top

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Royal Palace The Royal Palace is located on the Dam in Amsterdam. It is not Queen Beatrix’s place of residence but she occasionally receives important guests there. Then the red carpet is rolled out and the Dutch flag flies above the Palace. When the important guests have departed, then everyone can take a glimpse of the Palace. top

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Madame Tussauds In Madame Tussauds Amsterdam you can meet famous Dutch and foreign personalities. As well as the renowned wax figures of famous people, you can also see technical high points in the form of moving figures at Madame Tussauds. top

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NEMO In NEMO you will discover that technology, science and art are expressions of the human character. You are invited to learn about themes such as energy and communication in a fun manner. top

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Rijksmuseum The Rijksmuseum is sometimes called Holland’s treasure trove. The largest museum for art and history in the Netherlands, is world famous for its collection. The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, set in its historic home designed by P.J.H. Cuypers, houses the largest collection of art and history in the Netherlands. The museum has an internationally renowned collection based around the paintings of the seventeenth-century Dutch Republic, the Golden Age, including twenty works by Rembrandt, four by Vermeer and numerous other paintings by artists such as Frans Hals and Jan Steen. Displayed at the very heart of the museum is Rembrandt’s Night Watch. But the museum houses more than just paintings: there are superb collections of silver, delftware, doll’s houses, prints, drawings, the mysterious Asiatic art and a recent completely renovated presentation on Dutch history. Works of art on paper, prints and drawings and since 1996 the photographic collection, are shown four times a year in different exhibitions. The Rijksmuseum provides a wide range of facilities to make the visit to the museum as interesting, attractive and informative as possible. The services provided by the museum range from texts, to Audio Tours, events (such as lectures, guided tours and courses), guides, film programmes, study collections, publications, library, shop, educational facilities, special family and target-group programmes, a café/restaurant and an Information Desk.

Information Desk For answers to queries in the museum please ask at the Information Desk where staff are available to help you throughout the day. Exhibit text Almost all the exhibits on permanent display are accompanied by a text board providing basic background information in Dutch and English. Some texts are more extensive for specific exhibits. For some of the larger exhibitions, texts are also provided in other languages, including French, German or Spanish. Audio Tour To make museum visits even more interesting there is the Audio Tour. Punch in the number and your personal guide tells you the story behind the object. In all around 550 exhibits in the museum (Main Building and Philips Wing) now have Audio Tour texts. Choose your own pace and route. Available in Dutch, English, French and German. Renting an Audio Tour costs € 3,50 (<18: € 2,50). Events Each season the museum presents a new programme of guided tours, lectures, courses, symposiums and other activities. These are all in Dutch, however English guided tours are organised for some of the larger exhibitions. The programme booklet is free and available from the Events Department and at the Information Desk. Auditorium The Rijksmuseum’s Auditorium hosts a regular programme of films varying in content and in different languages. These presentations are free for museum visitors.

Guides The Rijksmuseum's own expert guides can be reserved for groups. Prices: 17th century paintings € 70,- an hour. Other departments, thematic tours and temporary exhibitions: € 80,- an hour. This is excluding the ticket price, and for a maximum of 15 persons per guide. Guides are available in Dutch, French, German, English, Italian and Spanish. Guides offer general and thematic tours as required. Guided tours should be booked at least four weeks in advance at the Events Department. Publications Each year the Rijksmuseum produces dozens of publications. These vary from books in which the results of specialised research by museum staff into areas of the collection are published, to popular periodicals such as the Kunstkrant or Joost de Suppoost booklets for youngsters. Exhibitions are generally accompanied by a catalogue. Almost all the publications are in Dutch, and often also available in English. Publications can be bought in the museum shop, and a selection is available from the virtual shop. Library reading room and Print Room The Rijksmuseum boasts the largest collection of art-historical literature in the Netherlands, housed in the monumental home created by Cuypers: the library. Here books, periodicals, auction catalogues, annual reports etc. are gathered that relate to the collections in the museum. Books and periodicals are not lent out, but can be freely consulted in the reading room. Prints, drawings and photos can also be consulted in the reading room. Shop The Rijksmuseum has in fact four shops: one in the Main Building, one in the Philips Wing, one at the Museumplein, and a virtual shop on the website. In these shops, guides, art books, catalogues, postcards, reproductions, video's, cd-roms, jigsaw puzzles, games, jewelry, replica's and many other articles are available. Café Cuypers/Restaurant The completely renovated Café Cuypers is the perfect spot for coffee, hot and cold dishes and a glass of wine. The back room of Café Cuypers is open for (business)receptions. Stadhouderskade 42 1071 ZD Amsterdam PO Box 74888 1070 DN Amsterdam The Netherlands Tel. +31 (0)20 6747047 (public information line) Fax. +31 (0)20 6747001 info@rijksmuseum.nl top

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Stedelijk Museum The Stedelijk Museum is one of Europe's most important museums for modern and contemporary art. The Stedelijk Museum has a wide-ranging program of exhibitions. Impressionism, pop art or minimalism: you can see it all in the Stedelijk Museum! The Stedelijk Museum has responsibility for a large part of the collection of modern art belonging to the City of Amsterdam. This diverse collection counts more than 100,000 objects from 1850 to the present: paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, graphic design, applied arts, industrial design and new media. Part of the permanent collection is always to be seen in changing combinations. The Museum, built in 1895 on the Museumplein, presently comprises 52 galleries, including the New Wing that was added in 1954. In addition there are a museum shop, library, restaurant and auditorium, among other facilities. An important component of the Museum are its restoration ateliers, specialising in specific modern art restorations. Many sensational exhibitions have marked the history of the Stedelijk Museum. At the moment the Museum is awaiting its renovation and expansion, scheduled to begin at the end of 2002. Bureau Amsterdam, the Project Space of the Stedelijk Museum in the Rozenstraat, shows Amsterdam art in an international context. The accent there lies on the very latest developments in contemporary art. Activities such as symposia, workshops for children, introductions to exhibitions and book presentations take place at the Museum with great regularity. From September to June there is a free concert in the Music of Today (Muziek van Nu) series every Saturday afternoon. The Stedelijk Museum's library is one of the most extensive documentation centres for modern art in The Netherlands. In addition to the Stedelijk Museum Bulletin, since early 2002 the Museum has been publishing a free Children's Bulletin. For secondary schools the Museum provides Art and Cultural Education (CKV) projects, linked to its exhibitions. Every year the Museum publishes an Annual Report, summarising the most important events and statistical data. Paulus Potterstraat 13 1071 CX Amsterdam Post Box 75082 1070 AB Amsterdam tel. +31 (0)20 573 2911 fax +31 (0)20 675 2716 Open Daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. December 5 and 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed January 1 top

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Van Gogh Museum A visit to the Van Gogh Museum is a unique experience. There is no other place in the world where you can see so many of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings under one roof. The Museum is situated on the Museumplein in Amsterdam, between the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum. The Museum's collection is in three parts. The Van Gogh collection, work from other artists and the collection concerning the Van Gogh Museum’s history. The Van Gogh Museum is located on the Museumplein in Amsterdam, between the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum. The entrance to the Van Gogh Museum is at Paulus Potterstraat, number 7. The museum can be reached with trams 2 and 5 and 20 from Central Station. The museum is easily accessible for the disabled. All floors can be reached by lift; wheelchairs and buggies are available free of charge. Paulus Potterstraat, number 7 P.O. Box 75366, 1070 AJ Amsterdam info: 020-570 52 52 tel: 020-570 52 00 fax: 020-673 50 53 e-mail: info@vangoghmuseum.nl Opening hours museum: daily 10-18.00 ticket office: daily 10-17.30 shop: daily 10-17.45 restaurant: daily 10-17.30 library Museumplein 4: daily Mon to Fri 10-12.30 and 13.30-17.00 top

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Canal cruises Waterways, shaded by leafy green, reflect five centuries of architectural glory…. To this very day a walk through the narrow streets of Amsterdam gives the walker glimpses between buildings that have inspired generations of artists. top

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Other Things to See and Do • Exhibitions • Museums • Art Galleries • Fun and leisure parks and zoo’s • Cheese farms • Clog factories • Castles and Manor houses • Windmills • Light houses • Harbours • Boating • Beaches • Outdoor recreation • Picnic areas, lakes and leisure facilities. • Parks and Gardens • A choice of 2000 different restaurants. • Health farms • Golf courses top