Amsterdam is a cultural city teeming with history. From world-renowned artist Van Gogh to the WW2 diarist Anne Frank, this “Northern Venice” won’t fail to amaze. The Dutch capital is therefore the perfect European getaway for a weekend of historical splendour. The easiest way for visitors to reach Amsterdam is to fly, followed by a pre-booked airport taxi. Schiphol is by far the biggest and best connected airport in the region.
Anne Frank Museum
The story of Anne Frank’s life is one of tragedy and heroism. For almost three years the Frank family lived in hiding in an annexe at 263 Prinsengracht. Her father’s office was situated in front of a bookcase-covered doorway that hid their existence from all but a few brave helpers from the outside world. With limited food supplies, a total of eight people lived in cramped conditions under constant fear of being discovered by the fascist authorities.
The diary that Anne wrote during the period is now world famous; visitors can learn more about the conditions in which she wrote it at the annexe itself, which has now been converted into a museum. The original diary is on display there, alongside other artefacts which detail the events that took place. This normal-looking Amsterdam house is now a prominent tourist attraction and provides a deeply moving experience that will stay with visitors long after they’ve left.
Van Gogh Museum
This is one of the most popular museums in the world with visitors measured in the millions annually. Here you can discover the largest collection of works by Van Gogh in the world with more than 200 paintings and 500 drawings. Although not appreciated in his time, visitors today can marvel at the creative spirit of a complex artist who mastered an iconic painting style. Due to the sheer size of the collection, visitors can track the development of the artist from his humble beginnings to his most well-known impressionist works.
Rembrandt House Museum
If Van Gogh isn’t enough to satisfy your appetite for master painters, then a trip to the Rembrandt House Museum is a must. The original home of the seventeenth-century artist is now a stylish homage to the painter’s work. Here you can find lesser-known pieces that help to fill in the jigsaw of the painter’s impressive life. The price for the museum is a reasonable 11 for adults and there is enough to see to spend a good morning or afternoon there. Situated in the trendy eastern part of the city, a visit to the nearby Chinese quarter can be incorporated into the trip.
Amsterdam is a city of tremendous cultural heritage. These three museums are just a selection from an array of fascinating sites to see whilst there. Give yourself extra time to enjoy the city by pre-booking an airport taxi – Schiphol is serviced by Shuttle Direct which provides high-quality, door-to-door taxi services.
Martin Wynn
