Learning on The Move – Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Neatherlands, it is found within the provence of North Holland. Amsterdam is colloquially referred to as the "Venice of the North", attributed by the large number of canals which form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Amsterdam's name derives from Amstelredamme, a dam in the river Amstel. Originating as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world in the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century and became the leading centre for finance and trade. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded, and many new neighbourhoods and suburbs were planned and built. The 17th-century canals and the more modern 19–20th century Defence Line of Amsterdam are both on the Unesco World Heritage Site list. The neighbourhood of Sloten, annexed in 1921 by the municipality of Amsterdam, is the oldest part of the city, dating to the 9th century.
As the commercial capital of the Netherlands and one of the top financial centres in Europe. Many of the world's largest companies are based in Amsterdam or have established their European headquarters in the city, such as leading technology companies Uber, Netflix and Tesla.
Famous Amsterdam residents include the WW2 diarist Anne Frank, artists Rembrandt and Van Gogh, and philosopher Baruch Spinoza.
Amsterdam's Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in the world. Amsterdam's educational attractions include its canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum, Hermitaage Amsterdam, the Concertgebouw, the Anne Frank House, the Scheepvaartmuseum, the Amsterdam Museum, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam and Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam.
Geography: The must see, without really saying, are the cannels. The trips wind around the building and in and out of city, with its bridges and waterfronts. You will learn how the city has been made to sit on such a wet environment.
History: The Ann Frank Museum is sparse and hard hitting. It is not a fun place like some other museums. It is very poignant and will affect your mood, so only go there if you in a good place and feeling strong. If you are not, then a walk around the neighbourhood Jordaan feels like a step back in time. Originally, a working-class area, the Jordaan’s narrow streets and quaint buildings are fascinating.
There are many castle, palaces and fortresses in the Amsterdam Area that provide a window into the region’s regal past and will make you feel like the star of your own fairytale. TheRoyal Place of Amsterdam is King Willem-Alexander’s official reception palace where world leaders and heads of state are hosted and entertained, but it is also open to visitors much of the year.
Just 15 kilometres southeast of the city, you’ll find Muiderslot - a 13th-century castle that looks like it could have been plucked from a Disney movie with its five towers, moat and drawbridge. Over in Utrecht, the 14th-century De Haar Castle was updated with impressive turrets and towers in the 19th century courtesy of Pierre Cuypers, the famous Rijksmuseum architect.
Art: few cities in Europe have so many great museums and galleries as Amsterdam does. The ‘must go’ visit is the Van Gogh Museum. On our visit, there were lots of children having a great art treasure hunt. But be prepared to some time here, it is a huge exhibition.
Design and Technology: Across the road from Van Gogh is the Modern Technology and Design Museum. Another great place to visit but we wouldn’t recommend doing the two in the same day as it is too much.
Physical Exercise: There are over 800,000 bicycles in Amsterdam. Cycling in Amsterdam is a way of life, made easier by the city’s unbeatable network of cycle routes and flat landscape. There is no better way to explore the region’s attractions than by pedal power.
Hop on your bike and head to Sloterplas for a dip in the sprawling lake, or cycle over to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel to explore a 12th-century village idyll packed with historic sights.
Many of Amsterdam's best-kept secrets can be discovered by bike. There is a lot to do and see around the city of Amsterdam and many will be seasonal.
Don’t forget to add all of the activities that you take part in- in to your diary.
