Amsterdam: Top attractions

Looking for ideas for your next holiday? 

The Dutch city of Amsterdam lies roughly an hour’s flight time from London, making it the ideal location for a weekend break.

For those with young children, the Artis Royal Zoo is well worth a visit. There are a huge variety of animals including elephants, vultures, baboons and penguins. Zookeeper talks and guided tours enable you to learn more about the animals. A walk through the butterfly pavilion is not to be missed; hundreds of brightly coloured butterflies flying gracefully in front of you will delight the whole family. The historical Aquarium allows you to discover the vast diversity of life under water.

Art lovers will appreciate the many museums in Amsterdam. The largest is the Rijksmuseum, which holds many famous paintings, including The Night Watch by Rembrandt and The Milkmaid by Vermeer. Similarly, the Van Gough Museum, just a short walk away, displays many of the artist’s finest works, including his famous Sunflowers. For budding photographers, the FOAM photography museum will provide endless inspiration; it features many pieces by up and coming young photographers.

A visit to Amsterdam would not be complete without visiting the Anne Frank house, where the young girl and her family hid for over two years. A moving yet inspiring visit allows you to appreciate the torture the family went through, most noticeably the confined conditions in which eight people lived. There is also a sobering exhibition about discrimination and the persecution of Jews during the war. Anne’s original diary is on display.

Dam Square is a fantastic bustling central location, and you will always find something to do. The square itself is home to street performers and mimes. Throughout the year, it hosts festivals and events. The main attraction in Dam Square is the Royal Palace, built in the 15^th century.  When not in use by the royal family, it is open to the public and makes a very interesting diversion. Explore the history and grandeur of the building, making sure not to miss the opulent furnishings. Dam Square is also home to the National Memorial- a statue erected in honour of the members of the Resistance and Dutch soldiers who died during the Second World War.

At the edge of the Square lies Madame Tussauds, home to many famous celebrities. There are sports, celebrity, royal and culture areas, so you’re almost certain to find a waxwork of your favourite celebrity.

A relaxing trip on the canals is a perfect way to view what Amsterdam has to offer, giving you a unique perspective of the historic city. If you’re visiting Amsterdam for the first time, the cruises are a great introduction to many of the attractions. If you’re feeling more energetic, you can even hire a pedalo and navigate your own route through the city.

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Amsterdam canals

Finland: Top Five Winter Adventures

Wondering where to go for your winter holiday? How about Finland?

The Finnish Tourism Authority has put together a list of the top 5 winter adventures.

No visit to Finland is complete without visiting a sauna! Saunas are seen as a place for physical and spiritual cleansing, and are scattered everywhere in Finland. You’ll find them in public swimming pools, houses, gyms and hotels. Even the Parliament building in Helsinki and Finnish embassies abroad have sauna- there are enough to accommodate the entire population simultaneously with somewhere between two and three million! Visiting a sauna is a great place to unwind.

Visit Finland during the winter months and dip in an icy lake or roll in the snow before moving on to a steaming sauna. The contrast between hot and cold is said to be good for the circulation.

A cruise aboard the ice-breaker Sampo is an experience not to be missed. The journey offers visitors the chance to experience life on board an ice-breaker ship as it travels through the Gulf of Bothnia. You’ll get a guided tour of the ship, but the main attraction is the option of swimming in the freeing cold sea! Neoprene survival suits are provided, ensuring that you float on the water. A hike on the ice is also available, showing you its true thickness. As you make your way back to the ship, you’ll truly appreciate the power of Sampo, and have memories that will last a lifetime.

If you’re visiting Finland with your family, a trip to Lapland is a must. Located in the Arctic Circle, Santa Claus Village offers festive fun for everyone. There are plenty of Reindeer, along with other animals such as horses and dogs. Why not have a break from playing in the snow and do a spot of shopping? There are a range of products from handmade Finnish goods to souvenirs and products from high end Finnish designers on offer. There are also bars, restaurants and Christmas exhibitions to keep the whole family entertained.

Finland is also a fantastic place to view the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). For the best views, head North into Lapland, where they shine every other clear night (on average) from September through to March. A great alternative to husky tours is to stay in a purpose built igloo. These igloos have glass roofs where you can gaze at the mesmerising lights from the comfort of your own bed. Sleep under the stars and experience the best of what Finland has to offer.

To read the full article, visit http://www.visitfinland.com/5-steps-to-winter-adventure/

Who did you go on holiday with?

Who did you go on holiday with this summer?

A recent survey found that in the last year 18% of us went on a three generational family holiday.

In the ever increasing speed of modern living, the opportunities for us to spend time with our families becomes harder to find.  Our family holidays can often give us precious and happy memories that we carry with us for the rest of our lives. Who can forget memories of childhood holidays?

There are advantages in 3 generations holidaying together - parents may have the opportunity to spend some rare time as a couple. Grandparents can have some quality time with their grandchildren. Kids probably end up being spoiled with so many adults around.

If you're going self-catering, then the arrangement can help with the catering and perhaps the driving, as well as an opportunity to reduce the costs per head.

For whatever the reasons all the generations decide to holiday together, it's very likely that you'll return with many happy memories, and closer bonds as a family.