Travel to Amsterdam by yourself

Amsterdam combines refinement and simplicity, which is why it is always crowded. If there is a desire to join the millions of tourists enamored in this city, it is worth to get acquainted with some of the subtleties necessary for independent travel.

How to get a visa to Holland

For a trip to Amsterdam you will have to take care of the Schengen visa. A personal presence is mandatory, if before there were not two visas of any European country. The following documents will be required:

• Foreign passport with two blank pages;
• A photocopy of the completed pages of the Russian passport;
• Two photographs (color) 3,5х4,5 cm;
• A completed application form;
• If you have Schengen visas in your old passport, you will need copies of his pages;
• Reference from work. It must specify the length of service, position, salary, duration of leave ;
• An account statement or a certificate of currency purchase.

Independent tourists need to attach the original and a copy of the insurance, confirmation of the hotel reservation, booking or a copy of the air tickets (round trip).

You must also pay a fee of 35 euros. With a full package of documents, the tourist comes to the consulate or visa departments in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Moscow, Rostov-on-Don or Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

How to get to Amsterdam

Amsterdam can be reached by direct flights from Moscow, but the trip will cost more than if there is a transfer. From Russia fly airlines KLM and Aeroflot. Travel time is slightly less than 3 hours. You can see the flights with a transfer offered by S7, AirBaltic or Scandinavian Airlines. Tips that can help you save on air travel here.

Where to stay

In Amsterdam it is always very lively, and when it comes to accommodation, booking places in hotels is better as early as possible. If the budget allows, it is worth staying in the city center, "on the eve" of attractions and famous nightclubs in Amsterdam. Not all hotels have parking, so you need to know about the possibilities of the hotel in advance.

Luxury hotels in Amsterdam are stylish multi-storey or newly renovated historical buildings that have a special charm.

And families with children prefer to stay near Vondelpark. Hotels in quiet areas are removed from the noisy nightlife.

Unlike some other major European cities, Amsterdam offers a whole world of opportunities for tourists with a limited budget. The prices here are higher than in the hostels, but this option is suitable for those who do not want to share the room with strangers.

Since these are budget hotels, places are sorted out quickly, especially in the summer, before Christmas and on the eve of the Queen's Day (April 30).

Amsterdam Airport offers a number of hotels located directly near the terminals or in the surrounding areas. Among them there are hotels of large networks, and budget options.

There is a good traffic intersection with easy access to the center, which makes these hotels a good place to stay for those who have come to Amsterdam for a short time or do not plan to spend much time in the hotel.

Transport in Amsterdam

The public transport system in Amsterdam is excellently developed: trams, buses and trains offer reliable service. Perhaps the most convenient way to travel around the city is by tram, but the fastest one is by bicycle, on special bike paths. This is how the inhabitants of the city move.

The bus and tram are suitable as a means of transportation for tourists who want to explore the sights and get acquainted with the city on their own. Read about what to see in Amsterdam here. Tickets for public transport can be bought in vending machines and newsagents.

Car rental in Amsterdam may not be affordable during the peak season, but there is a chance to get the best prices by making an order in advance. The rental price usually includes unlimited mileage and insurance. Driving license and absence of violations of traffic rules during the last three years are mandatory. The age limit is 23-70 years, but some companies may make exceptions.

If you want to admire the "floating" past the house, you can go on a cruise through the canals, enjoying wine and cheese or a romantic dinner. In the city there are also water taxis - an alternative to cars.

Where to eat

Amsterdam is filled with institutions with a wide choice of various dishes. Tourists are given a choice of more than a thousand restaurants, many of which are in the center of the city and are distinguished by a high level of service.

In Amsterdam, it is worth trying small pancakes, which are served with powdered sugar and butter, sometimes strawberries or syrup. They are traditionally eaten right on the street in autumn and winter.

Holland can not be imagined without wafers, which are known here since the XVIII century. In Amsterdam alone, 100 bakeries are engaged in their production. This delicacy consists of several wafer layers, which are fastened with sweet syrup.

Dutch cuisine is not called exquisite, and one more dish serves as a proof of this fact. Nourishing mashed potatoes with carrots and other vegetables are served with smoked sausage. This is traditionally eaten in winter.

Amsterdam's cafés and restaurants are open daily, and a continental breakfast is served until 10:00. Lunch, as a rule, is from 12:00 to 14:00, the time of light snacks is from 15:00 to 17:00. Dinner is served from 17:00 to 20:00, and at 22:00 many restaurants are closed. But visitors can find simple meals and snacks at night restaurants and bars.