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I always feel a sense of shame on behalf of British Airports whenever I pass through Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, and I'm not even British! Poor old Heathrow. I want it to be the world class airport it should be but it doesn't stand a chance when compared to Schiphol.

Schiphol is a large gateway airport that is modern and relatively easy to find your way around. There is a State Railway station under the airport with regular trains only 15 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal Station.



Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol

If you can't bear the though of leaving Europe then this is your last chance saloon. Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol is located in the area behind the passport control between the E and F Pier.



Holland Casino Schiphol

An airport with its own casino.



Wireless Internet

This is the chink in the armour for Schiphol. There is no free wireless here - you have to pay an exorbitant amount. This is a European wide problem though (Shannon Airport in Ireland is the only place that I have used so far that have free wireless).

Labels: airport, amsterdam, heathrow, netherlands, schiphol

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Our Man in Amsterdam

In the film Pulp Fiction Vincent Vega has just returned to LA after living in Amsterdam. Quentin Tarantino lived in Amsterdam while he was writing the script so that is why Amsterdam is worked into the plot.

Writers Workspace

Amsterdam's liberal environment has long attracted international artists to base themselves. If you are thinking of coming here to write then you could start off at De Woordensmederij (The Wordsmithery).

I found this place in an advertisement in a local English paper and it sounds like a great idea to me. It is a non-profit for writers of all kinds. The prices are very good considering what you get and that you are in central Amsterdam.

To quote from their website:

The Wordsmithery is Amsterdam's first and only non-profit writer's workshop. It's a serene, convenient place for creative people to get quality writing done.

Are you a wordsmith too - a writer, journalist, academic or translator?

Working space is flexible, so you pay only for the time you put in, and includes the use of:

* speedy internet connection (with wi-fi that extends to the nearby park) & printer
* facilities (workspace, kitchen & al.)
* discount at local copy/print shop
* and most importantly the company of other writers.

The tone is quiet, but the spirit convivial. Join a real word-lovers community!

Located on the tranquil Bickersgracht in Amsterdam Centrum, The Wordsmithery is only a stone's throw from Central Station and the multitude of shops on the Haarlemmerdijk.


This is great for nomadic workers as well. I will probably use this next time I travel to Amsterdam. Being on the road for long stretches it would be good to have a place to catch up on notes that I have put together.

I would like to know if anyone knows of other places like this in Europe, or around the world?

Labels: amsterdam, netherlands, workspace, writers

Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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One of Amsterdam most common features is a bollard known as Amsterdammertje (little one from Amsterdam in Dutch).



There are thousands of these bollards all over the city. They feature the coat of arms of Amsterdam, the three Crosses of Saint Andrew's. When I first saw this I thought it meant that Amsterdam was the triple-x rated city of sin. I'm sure I'm not alone in this presumption.

They are gradually being replaced though which is a shame. So here is an idea for the Amsterdam City Council. They should sell these as souvenirs on ebay or somewhere online. They would look great in your backyard, and anyone who has been to Amsterdam would instantly recognise it.

Labels: amsterdam, amsterdammertje, netherlands

Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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I end my Benelux railpass in Amsterdam, where I make my way back to London. I have found a great budget hotel near Leidseplein, Kooyk Hotel.



Not far from here is the Cafe De Saloon. This Flatiron shaped building is by a canal in a quiet area and I come whenever I am in Amsterdam.

Labels: amsterdam, cafe, hotels, netherlands

Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Sexmuseum Amsterdam

Labels: amsterdam, museum, netherlands, sexmusuem

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I seem to find myself at Maoz all the time when I'm in Amsterdam. Good falafel's that you pack yourself.

Labels: amsterdam, food, netherlands

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Labels: amsterdam, netherlands, public-toilet

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The buildings in Amsterdam lean forward slightly. It is not sinking nor a trick of the eye after a day on the smoke. The fronts lean forward slightly so furniture can be hoisted up via the hooks that hang from the top.

Labels: amsterdam, buildings, netherlands, urban-design

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Amsterdam has this new tourism slogon everywhere, including this one in front of the Rijksmuseum. It's similar to Londons current Totally London campaign, but it works much better. This giant "I amsterdam" is a great photo opportunity as well.

If I was coming up with a slogon I think amsterdam cool would be an apt slogan for Amsterdam.

Labels: amsterdam, netherlands

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Labels: amsterdam, netherlands

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The area around Centraal Station and Damrak, the main street leading from the station, is a great mess of construction activity. There is a new subway line being built, the Noord-Zuid-Lijn (North-South Line), which is due to completed in 2011.

Labels: amsterdam, netherlands, public-transport

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Labels: airlines, airport, amsterdam, klm, netherlands, schiphol

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