Travel

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FAST FACTS

Language: The language spoken in Amsterdam is Dutch

Currency: The currency used in Amsterdam is the Euro (€)

Local time: Amsterdam is 1 hour ahead of GMT/UK time

Fly to: Schiphol Airport (AMS), around 25km southwest of central Amsterdam

Alternative transport: You can also travel by Eurostar to Brussels with onward tickets to Amsterdam’s Centraal Station, via Rotterdam

Flight time from UK: 1.5 hours

Tourist Information: Further Amsterdam tourist information can be found at www.iamsterdam.com

Visa & Health: Before your holiday to Amsterdam, visit http://gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/netherlands for recommendations and advice on visas and health

WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Temperature: 5-21 °C

With the weather hovering in the mid-teens (°C) between March and May, spring is a great time to explore Amsterdam's cosy cafes. Summer is always a popular time to visit the city, thanks to warm highs of 21, and up to 11 hours of sunshine a day. Book your holiday for autumn or winter to take advantage of fewer crowds, or to enjoy the city’s legendary Christmas markets.

GETTING AROUND

Cycling: Amsterdam is very cycle-friendly. There are plenty of bike rental shops as well as a great network of cycle paths. You can even join a bicycle sightseeing tour to help you get your bearings.

Boat/barge: Taking a trip along the Amstel River is a great way to see the sights, especially on the hop-on/hop-off Canal Bus.

Tram: The tram system is ideal for travelling around the centre. Conductors sell tickets on board, though you might find an OV-chipkaart or an I Amsterdam City Card more convenient if you’re using a lot of public transport.

EVENTS

High Fashion: Young and upcoming designers showcase their work every January at Amsterdam International Fashion Week. You can expect fashion-themed museum exhibits, art exhibitions and lots of parties.

Celebration time: The Netherlands gets into party mode on Konigsdag, the day after King Willem Alexander’s birthday in April. It’s particularly popular in Amsterdam, when an estimated 750,000 people travel to the city for a big open-air celebration.

Musical spectacular: August’s Grachtenfestival features 10 days of jazz, blues and classical music. Enjoy a grand performance at a concert hall, or alternatively, a cosy blues jam in a local resident’s garden.

Van Gogh in bloom: See a spectacular annual display of millions of tulips and other pretty flowers at Keukenhof, the largest flower garden in the world.  Open from March-May, the colourful 32-hectare gardens will share the inspiration of Vincent van Gogh’s life and works, 125 years after his death.

Why choose Thomas Cook

With hotels available to suit every person and every budget look no further than Thomas Cook for your getaway this year!