The Artis Zoo is Amsterdam’s Hidden Treasure

The Artis Zoo is one attraction many tourists pass over in Amsterdam. Amsterdam has so many exciting museums and sites to visit such as the Red Light District, the Van Gough Museum, and Anne frank’s Home and people generally forget about the incredible and oldest zoo in the Netherlands. The Artis Zoo not only houses various animals, and plants, but also a library, an aquarium, a planetarium, a geological museum, and zoological museum. The zoo is filled with activities as the animals range from lions, bears, and gorillas to sea lions and monkeys, with 700 other animal species and 300 plant specimens.

It was founded in 1838 and continued to flourish with its immense popularity with the people. The zoo opened two museums, the Geological Museum and the Zoological Museum. The Zoological museum gives an interesting insight into the museum’s scientific collections dating back to the 19^th century. The zoo also houses a planetarium where one can learn about the birth of the universe and visit some of the sky’s stars. For more information of the zoo’s latest attractions visit its webpage: http://www.artis.nl/.

The zoo is open daily from 9am to 6pm and costs 18.50 euro for an adult and 15 euro for a child ages 3-9. On Sundays at 11am, the zoo offers a free-guided tour. The price may seem quite expensive, but in actuality the zoo includes a planetarium, two museums, an aquarium, and gardens. There are numerous sites and picture opportunities within the zoo that are sure to provide an eventful and fun day!

Loving Apartments bring visitors extremely close to the zoo with their plentiful amount of apartments in the Amsterdam area. One apartment that will require less than a ten-minute walk to the zoo is the Metro studio apartment. It is located conveniently close to Centraal station and is also a few minutes walk to the famous, Herengracht Canal. The apartment is simply decorated and is perfect for a weekend getaway in Amsterdam. It can sleep four with one bedroom and includes a kitchen, living room, and bathroom. The living room offers guests a spacious area to lounge and enjoy a nice movie with the DVD player. For more information on various apartments Loving Apartments offer in Amsterdam visit: http://www.lovingamsterdam.com/.

Oosterpark is Loving Apartments Recommended Spot for a Relaxing Day

Amsterdam is generally famous for its urban center filled with tourists as they travel down the Red Light District or wait hours in a queue to visit the interior of Anne Frank’s home. Oosterpark provides a refreshing break from the hectic and crowded city, as the park is relaxing and beautiful, giving visitors a day of relaxation.

Oosterpark is the first park established by the governments in their efforts to provide luscious green space for citizens to enjoy. The city owns the park and  brought on Dutch landscape artist to design its entire layout. He intended to create a much English designed park and included a couple ponds, and plenty of green space and construction was completed in 1891.

On top of that, the park also is home to numerous sculptures and memorials. Two of the most popular are the Theo Van Gough Memorial and the National Slavery Memorial. The Slavery Memorial recognizes the hardships endured by slaves in the Netherlands and now celebrates it abolition. The Theo van Gough Memorial looks like a man screaming. He was a bold man that was not afraid to speak his mind as was the mastermind behind many controversial films and articles. In 2004, Mohammed Bouyeri, who was linked to the terrorist organization, Hofstad Network, murdered Theo. The memorial now celebrates every citizens right to free speech.

Overall, the park brings enjoyment to locals and tourists alike. Go to Oosterpark for a day out of the city to enjoy the warm sun, outdoor activities, and to avoid long queues.

Loving Apartment offers apartments close to the park, giving visitors a quieter view of the city as well as a brisk walk over to Oosterpark. In the Amstel luxury apartment alongside the amstel canal. It can sleep six  and includes three beds, one bathroom, a living room, dining room, an open kitchen, and a large terrance. It is very simplistic and contemporary. The apartment also comes with a prepaid mobile phone for visitor’s use during their stay. A wonderfully neat apartment that is a perfect place to stay while visiting Amsterdam. For more information on this particular apartment visit: http://www.lovingamsterdam.com/Amsterdam-Amstel-Luxury–1-self-catering-2-bedroom-apartment-Amstel-River-Lovely-2-bedroom-apartment-with-Amstel-Canal-Views-id-1382-en.html.

For more information on Loving Amsterdam Apartments visit: http://www.lovingamsterdam.com/.

The Tangomagia Festival in Amsterdam

When people travel to Amsterdam they think the Van Gough Museum, Anne Frank’s house, and the red light district, but not Tango or Latin dancing. Amsterdam is the largest city in the Netherlands as well as the capital, so of course there are going to be annual events that explore other cultures. From December 26^th 2010 to December 30^th 2010, the 13^th international tango festival, Tangomagia, will take place in various posh locations around Amsterdam.

During the festival there will be numerous events such as performances by famous Argentinean dancers and performances by the Soledad Orchestra, open workshops welcome to everyone, and a daily tango café.

The events are hosted in wonderful locations all over Amsterdam. A couple worth mentioning are the Hotel Arena, De Duif, Science Park, The Max, and Kompaszaal. The Hotel Arena is a hot spot and fabulous hotel. Kompaszaal is a café-restaurant and is the place where ships used to sail to the U.S. The De Duif is a church on one of the canals in the centre of the city that has been around for 150 years. It was newly restored with a “sprung floor”, which makes it an ideal place for Tangomagia performances. All of these locations are wonderful places to see while in Amsterdam, so one would be tackling two birds with one stone by attending the festival.

The festival is short, lasting for only five days so it is important to stay in a central location close to all the festivities. Loving Apartments have various apartment rental options for Amsterdam. One in particularly that is one of a kindand more importantly close to Tangomagia is the Music boathouse, which is a houseboat that can be rented through Loving London. Staying on a houseboat is a one time opportunity and perfect for Amsterdam, walking out onto the deck to a beautiful canal view. The house boathouse is in the heart of Amsterdam and can sleep 6 with beds total. The boat also comes with an open kitchen/living room area and plenty of room for lounging, along with a complimentary bottle of wine. The boat is a unique and perfect place to stay for a long weekend offering convenience and adventure!

To view other apartment rentals check out the Loving Apartment website: http://www.lovingamsterdam.com/

New Year’s Eve Brings Everyone Out for a Night on the Town

For one of the best nights out for New Year’s, you can about imagine what kind of events will be going on.  For the party of all parties, there is only one place to head—Amsterdam.  Whether you’ve got a nose for great food, or an eye for fireworks, Amsterdam has got it all.

The biggest party has only one venue, the streets, bars and squares of the entire city.  All over Amsterdam in every bar and on every street, there is something to be found.

Amsterdam is known for its fireworks during this time.  The most plentiful variety of fireworks can be found in Nieuwmarkt Square.  The squares are usually packed, but vantage points across Amsterdam are perfect for the occasion.

Kids and adults enjoy lighting small fireworks all evening, scaring every passerby they can with all sorts of bangs and pops, so beware walking around.  They are small and usually provide a good jump, but they are harmless and all in good fun.

If you prefer to be inside to celebrate, many of the bars and clubs in Amsterdam take part in the festivities.  It won’t take much to find a good place to go during the evening; it all depends on what you’re looking for and how you prefer to spend your evening.

Dam Square, Nieuwmarkt, Leidseplein, and Rembrandtplein are great spots for visitors to see the grand fireworks displays to enjoy during your night on the town.  All of these locations are within walking distance of your Amsterdam apartment.  Many of the bars and clubs around town are just downtown with all of these squares and destinations.

Let Loving Amsterdam Apartments find the right accommodation for you during your stay in Amsterdam.  We have all sorts and kinds of apartments so that you can find whatever you may want.  With an interactive map on our Loving Amsterdam Apartments website, you can choose the best location for you.  We invite you out to celebrate the New Year in the lively night life of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam’s “Museumnacht” Is a Night Full of Fun for All.

The first Saturday comes alive each year in Amsterdam’s museums.  Each museum opens its doors and invents unique exhibits for the city’s annual Museumnacht or “Museum Night.”  Over 40 museums and historical locations participate, making a sort of competition for the most interesting exhibit.

Dancing, music, poetry, workshops and tours all come together to make this night both fun and interesting.  The events will be starting this year at 7pm on the evening of 7 November, and will not wrap up until 2am.

The unorthodox exhibits open up an opportunity for each museum to show its true colours to visitors.  Both Amsterdam locals and tourists alike enjoy the new light shed on the already beloved sites.

Public transport makes it easy to get from one location to the next, and it will be very simple to get into the mix from your Amsterdam apartment.

Tickets can be purchased at the Tourist Information Office for about 17 up until 5:30pm on November 7^th.  Tickets can also be found at multiple money exchange points throughout the city.  Get your tickets early, though, because ticket sales cease at 10pm.

Join Loving Amsterdam Apartments for this festive night on the town during Amsterdam’s Museumnacht.

The Amsterdam Fringe Festival Sept 02 to 12th 2010 Book your Amsterdam Apartments Quick!

Amsterdam Apartments for the Amsterdam Fringe Festival 2010

This years Amsterdam Fringe Festival is from the 2nd to the 12th of September, the same time as the major IBC conference, so that should be an interesting mix!

Over 10 days in 25 different venues there will be performances of music, theatre, poetry, dance, and comedy pushing the boundaries of art to its limits.

The diverse program includes The Freak and The Showgirl, with Mat Fraser & Julie Atlas Muzm is a bizarre mix of striptease, freak-show and comedy, questioning boundaries of taste, be prepared to be shocked and entertained.

If you are coming to Amsterdam for the IBC conference or the fringe you may just be lucky enough to find Amsterdam apartment accommodation, as busy times go this is only surpassed by Queens Day and Amsterdam Pride.

Visiting The Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam when staying in Amsterdam Rentals.

Amsterdam Rentals

Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum contains the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings and drawings in the world. Alongside works by the Dutch master, (such as Sunflowers and The Potato Eaters), are numerous paintings by Van Gogh’s contemporaries. When staying in Amsterdam rentals, a trip to the Van Gogh museum is a must.

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) was a Dutch post-Impressionist painter. His style was vivid, colourful and emotional and, while largely unappreciated in his own lifetime, his paintings were to have a profound effect on 20th century art. Van Gogh is today regarded as one of history’s greatest painters, and his paintings are among the most recognizable (and most expensive) in the world.

The Van Gogh Museum is one of Amsterdam’s most popular tourist attractions and a must-see destination for visitors staying in our Amsterdam rentals. The main exhibition is divided into 5 chronological stages, each displaying works from various periods of Van Gogh’s life. It is fascinating to see the development of the artist from his early years up until his final days.

While the museum is famous for Van Gogh masterpieces such as The Potato Eaters, Bathroom in Arles and Sunflowers, there are also plenty of incredible works by his contemporaries such as Gauguin, Monet and Manet. Guided tours are available and the museum is fully accessible for disabled visitors. For a full listing of both permanent and temporary exhibits have a look at the museum’s website: www.vangoghmuseum.nl.

The Van Gogh museum can be found on the Museumplein (the Museum Square) between the Stedelijk Museum and the Rijksmuseum (two other great destinations for anyone staying in Amsterdam rentals). The museum entrance is located at Paulus Potterstraat 7 and can be reached by taking tram number 2 or 5 from Central Station. The station itself is easily reached by bus, tram or metro from any of our Amsterdam rentals.

The Van Gogh Museum is open daily from 10.00am until 6.00pm (and until 10.00pm on Fridays). If wanting to spend a long time in the museum, then the later closing time on Fridays could make this a good day to go. The admission fee for adults is €14 while visitors of 17 years or under can enter for free. If visiting the museum from any of our Amsterdam rentals, remember that touching the art is not allowed, and photography is prohibited.

Loving Amsterdam has great apartments close to Anne Frank House

One of Amsterdams most famous buildings is the Anne Frank House, located in the Jordaan.

The story of Anne, her family and the four other people in the house is an extremely well known tragedy of the Second World War. Now the house is a museum which houses archives and artifacts from the Anne Frank House. The rooms themselves have been preserved and furnished in the way they would have been back in the 1940’s when they were in hiding. Anne describes the rooms which are at the top, rear of the house, as the Secret Annexe and they remained a secret for two years until they were all betrayed to the Nazis.

At the end of the war only Otto Frank, Anne’s father survived. Her mother Edith and her sister Margot, and Anne all died in the concentration camps just a few days before they were liberated. 

The original English language translation of Anne’s diary was called The Diary of A Young Girl. On his release from the concentration camp, Otto Frank was given this diary which had been found by one of their friends after they had left the Secret Annexe. 

The Anne Frank House is located on the Prinsengracht canal in the Jordaan area of central Amsterdam. The Jordaan area is located in the western side of central Amsterdam and is well known for its delightful streets winding around full of antiques shops, boutiques, modern art galleries, cafes, bars and restaurants. 

It came into existence in 1612 when they made the pathways and ditches into streets. This has created the maze of streets we see in the Jordaan today which lends it much of its charm. Originally the Jordaan housed the working class of Amsterdam, but that has now all changed and the area has been gentrified.

The Prinsengracht Canal was allegedly nicknamed the Jardin (French for garden) and over time the area beyond the canal became known as the Jordaan. 

The Prinsengracht is now a very affluent area with many amazing properties lining the waterfront. It is not necessarily a place that would be easily recognisable to Anne and her family. 

There is always much to see and do in the Jordaan with regular markets such as the Noordermarket, Westerstraat and Lindengracht. The area is most popular with artists and young professionals which gives it a fabulous buzz.

Loving Amsterdam Apartments Near the Anne Frank House.

We have many lovely apartments located close to the Anne Frank House.

Loving Amsterdam, stunning apartment near Anne Frank House

Aubergine is a lovely 1 bedroom apartment with a  charming roof terrace. Tranquility has two double bedrooms and is spacious also with a terrace area.

Jordaan Luxury has three bedrooms and is extremely comfortable, a real home from home.

How do you manage to beat the credit crunch and still take that weekend break away.

Taking those all important weekend breaks in a self catering apartment are vital if you are to cope with the stress and strains of everyday life. Experiencing a new city offering a a wide range of cultural differences can be just the boost you need to recharge those batteries. We have nine exciting European locations for you to choose from, each one offering a completely different experience that you will never forget. Our apartments are being offered at up to 70% off the normal published rates so really can’t lose.

How to find a centrally located apartment in Amsterdam at the best possible price.

Amsterdam canal-side apartment

Have you ever tried to book accommodation in a foreign country and not known where to start? Where are the best places to stay? Will I be near the best nightlife? Will it be quiet at night? Can it accommodate our whole group? How far will I be from public transport? Well now many of the answers are at your finger tips so you won’t need to look anywhere else for your travel tips. We have the professional knowledge and will do all the hard work, so you don’t have to.