Holiday travel: Procrastinators will pay this year, expert says

Fares up 9.4 percent for Thanksgiving travel, 7.3 percent for Christmas, report says; travel expert says changing when you fly may help cut costs

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Video: Holiday airfares make a big price jump

The Wall Street Journal reports Thanksgiving week flights in the U.S. and the Caribbean cost more than nine percent above last year and Christmas week fares are up more than seven percent. Travel editor Peter Greenberg talks to the "CBS This Morning" co-hosts about why flights cost so much and how it's still possible to save some money this holiday season.

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Dallas airport security checkpoint revamp aims to make screening more friendly

Mood lighting, couches, spacious X-ray tables just some highlights of screening space airport officials hope will create a better experience for travelers

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6-year-old boy's death in Carnival cruise pool latest blow for cruise industry

Cruise line says it's the first time a child has drowned aboard its ships; maritime law attorney calls for lifeguards to patrol cruise ships' pools

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Spirit Airlines CEO: We're the McDonald's of airlines

After last-place Consumer Reports ranking, Baldanza defends airline as best in price, says customers - like fast food chain's - know what they're getting

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Plane travel by the pound? Samoa Air says charging passenger's by weight is paying off

Airline's reported profits up 20 percent since pay-by-weight system began; CEO says airline only has weight to sell, "it's a product"

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Morning Rounds: Airport noise linked to risk of major illness

Two new studies find that people living near airports had higher rates of heart disease and stroke

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Video: Where to find America's best beaches

Peter Greenberg, CBS News travel editor, talks to the "CBS This Morning: Saturday" co-hosts about the best beaches to spend the July 4th holiday.

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After recent cruise disasters, Carnival tries to right the ship

CEO Arnold Donald -- new at the helm of ailing cruise line -- discusses $600M effort to rebuild company's reputation, lure back customers

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British pilots report falling asleep while flying

Sleep stunner: Angry British pilots go public in backlash over pending work guidelines; find out what U.S. is doing about pilot fatigue issues

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New Carnival CEO says change has "nothing to do" with recent ship incidents

Founder of sweetener company Equal to take over, says company investing in its ships, denies change comes due to recent string of ship incidents

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Medical tourism: What's the risk of traveling for care?

The rising cost of health care has some Americans looking to travel aboard for cheaper options

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Royal Caribbean in hot water over couple's cruise medical ordeal

Veteran travelers say they were abandoned in a small Turkey town to seek medical attention on their own; cruise line defends actions in statement

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Video: Medical tourism: Americans traveling for cheaper health care

The rising cost of health care is causing some Americans to find cheaper options abroad. CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg reports on one of the fastest-growing sectors in the travel industry - medical tourism.

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Video: The best travel apps and websites

Travel + Leisure magazine narrowed down the best travel-related apps and Web sites for their September issue. Laura Begley Bloom, the magazine's deputy editor, talks to the "CBS This Morning" co-hosts about their findings.

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Tube travel: Elon Musk joining crowded field of inventors looking to redefine speedy transport

CBS News takes a look at "hyperlooping" technology and the big dreamers behind designs for super-fast transportation

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Sullenberger: One-pilot commercial flights "ludicrous" idea

Capt. Chesley Sullenberger criticizes reported efforts to ground co-pilots, says if he didn't have co-pilot "Miracle on Hudson" flight wouldn't have been

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TSA trying out screening with dogs as reports record number of guns found in carry-ons

Former FBI assistant director discusses how process will work and new info that a record number of guns have been found in carry-ons

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Video: Medical tourism: Is the cost savings worth the risk?

Dr. Claudette Lajam, orthopedic surgeon at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, talks to the "CBS This Morning" co-hosts about the benefits and risks involved in the growing trend of medical tourism.

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Record number of visitors

In 2011, The Anne Frank House attracted 1,104,233 visitors, 50,000 more than the previous record of 2010 (1,050,339 visitors). The museum welcomed its millionth visitor, 19 year-old Tanja Trawniczek from Vienna, Austria, on 14 November 2011. The majority of visitors hail from outside the Netherlands (85%) and is under the age of 30.

The large number of visitors is partly the result of the museum’s long opening hours and the possibility to buy entrance tickets online. In 2012 the museum will again be open from 9 AM to 9 PM (10 PM on Saturdays) from 15 March to 15 September, and from 9 AM to 10 PM every day in July and August. Increasing numbers of people are buying their entrance tickets online.

Many visitors visit the Anne Frank House during vacation periods often resulting in queues. Recently visitors with a smartphone can prepare themselves for their visit to the museum: the Anne Frank House is providing visitors waiting in the queue with free WiFi access to its website http://m.annefrank.org/.This is particularly popular with foreign visitors.

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Eva awarded

Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss-Geiringer, Otto Frank's stepdaughter, has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Her Majesty The Queen in the New Year's Honours for her services to Holocaust education and the Anne Frank Trust UK.    

Eva Schloss is one of the co-founders of the Anne Frank Trust UK and since 1990 has been a trustee of the charity. Eva has worked tirelessly since the publication of her first book Eva’s Story in 1988 to teach the lessons of the Holocaust to countless people, in the UK and around the world. She has also been recognised with two honorary doctorates from universities. Each time she tells her story she adds a new insight or perspective. 

Eva was born in Vienna, Austria in 1929. With her parents Erich and Fritzi and brother Heinz she fled from the Nazis to the Netherlands in 1938. The Geiringer family settled in Amsterdam and lived on the Merwedeplein 46, opposite the Frank family. Heinz Geiringer, like Margot Frank, received a summons in July 1942 to report for transport to a "labour camp" in Germany. The next day the family went into hiding. They were betrayed in May 1944 and sent to the Auschwitz extermination camp. Erich died on a death march, Heinz died in Mauthausen concentration camp. Fritzi and Eva were liberated in Auschwitz. They returned to Amsterdam in June 1945, in the same transport as Otto Frank, who had lost his wife Edith and daughters Margot and Anne. In 1953 Otto and Fritzi got married and settled in Basel, Switzerland. Eva moved to London in the early 1950s and married Zvi Schloss. They have three children and five grandchildren.

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New Exhibition

The Anne Frank Zentrum and Anne Frank House are pleased to present the German version of a new travelling exhibition Yours, Anne - A Girl Makes History. Today’s opening takes place in the Bundestag in the presence of Kristina Schröder, German minister of Youth and Family Affairs; Wolfgang Thierse, deputy speaker of the German Parliament; Jacqueline Sanders-van Maarsen, a childhood friend of Anne Frank and Albert de Mezquita, a classmate of Anne Frank. Also attending are more than one hundred young people participating in an international conference on remembrance. This conference – in the Dutch embassy in Berlin – begins this afternoon with an opening address by Wim Kok, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Anne Frank House. 

The exhibition portrays Anne Frank’s life story. Most of the images are from the Frank family’s photo albums. Chronological chapters connect the story of the Frank family to the 'bigger history': the rise of the Nazis and the Holocaust. The heart of the exhibition is the ‘Gedankenraum’ – a spatial impression of the Secret Annexe in Amsterdam where the Frank family spent more than two years in hiding. In this ‘Space to Reflect’, visitors can hear excerpts from Anne Frank’s diary.

Current Events Modules

The exhibition concludes with a number of multimedia modules that illustrate the present-day relevance of this historical period using four themes: identity, group thinking, discrimination and commitment.

Guided Tours by Young People

After the debut in the Bundestag, the exhibition will tour Germany in the coming years. Young people serve as the guides at each location. In a two-day training, these youngsters learn about the exhibition’s content and background, the best way to present the information to their peers and how to make contemporary issues discussable.

Cooperation

The Anne Frank Zentrum in Berlin and Anne Frank House in Amsterdam created this exhibition in cooperation with the Dutch design firm Tinker Imagineers in Utrecht. Germany’s Federal Ministry of Youth and Family Affairs and the Aktion Mensch Fund provided the financial support for this project.

Youth Conference

Directly after the opening of this new exhibition, a three-day conference on remembrance commences with over one hundred young people, teachers and historians participating from twenty countries. They will address the question of how to actively involve youngsters in educational projects about the Second World War and the Holocaust and the importance of this for contemporary society.

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Finland

This year the exhibition Anne Frank - A History for Today will travel through  Finland, visiting ten cities: Helsinki, Turku, Hämeenlinna, Raahe, Vaasa, Kokkola, Kuopio, Mikkeli, Rovaniemi and Espoo. Anne Frank’s engaging story touches people all around the world, providing an avenue to think and talk about themes such as prejudice, discrimination and human rights. Translated into Finnish and Swedish, the exhibition will initially be displayed in the Helsinki City Library. The opening is on 30 January.

The international travelling exhibition Anne Frank - A History for Today places the story of Anne Frank against the backdrop of the Second World War and the Holocaust. The heart of the exhibition consists of quotations from Anne Frank’s diary and the Frank family’s photographs. This is accompanied  by other personal narratives about the consequences of discrimination and persecution. One of the stories depicted is that of the Finnish-Jewish Hanna Eckhart, who survived the Holocaust. Additional panels address the theme Discrimination & Finland Nowadays.

Guides                                                                                                                                   

The exhibition is especially directed at young people. In all ten cities in Finland, youngsters serve as guides to the exhibition. A two-day training prepares them for this responsibility. They learn about the content and background of the exhibition, the best way to present the information to their peers and how to make contemporary topics discussable. 

Partners 

The exhibition Anne Frank - A History for Today is shown throughout the entire world. Each year there are more than 150 venues. The worldwide tour is co-ordinated by the Anne Frank House, but the realisation is placed in the hands of local partners. In Finland, the Anne Frank House is collaborating with the Helsinki City Library, the University of Helsinki, the Peace Education Initiative and the Finnish Jewish Community. 

Funding                                                                                                                               

This Finnish tour has been made ​​possible thanks to the support of the Finnish Ministry of Education, the Dutch Embassy, ​​the Israeli Embassy and the transport company DHL

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Opening of new exhibition

Today sees the opening of the new temporary exhibition in the Anne Frank House: 'We too might move on'. The exhibition sheds light on the flight of the Frank family, the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer from Germany to Holland in the 1930’s and their subsequent vain attempts to find a safe refuge elsewhere. Eva Schloss-Geiringer, Holocaust survivor and stepdaughter of Otto Frank, will open the exhibition and talk about her life in Amsterdam after she escaped from Austria with her parents and brother in 1938. The exhibition will be on display in the Anne Frank House until 15 September 2012.

Eva Schloss-Geiringer

The exhibition places the story of the Frank family, the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer in the context of the approximately 410,000 Jews who fled Germany and Austria between 1933 and 1941. After Hitler came to power in 1933, a large section of the German Jewish population left their fatherland. Between 1933 and 1941, approximately 280,000 Jews fled Nazi Germany and 130,000 left Austria, which had been annexed by Hitler: half of the total Jewish community of these countries. Several tens of thousands arrived in the Netherlands. For many of them it was only a stop on a longer journey.

The Frank and Van Pels families and Fritz Pfeffer also tried to move on from the Netherlands. On 24 December 1937 Edith Frank, Anne’s mother, wrote in a letter to a friend: 'We too might move on'. The Frank family tried to find a safe refuge in Britain, the USA and Cuba, the Van Pels family in the USA, and Fritz Pfeffer in Australia, Aruba and Chile. None of their attempts succeeded. They were betrayed, and sent to concentration camps. Otto Frank was the only one to survive.

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App Anne's Amsterdam

Anne’s Amsterdam, the mobile App from the Anne Frank House is now available. With this App, you can explore the city and discover what happened during World War II. The city’s history during the war is depicted in an innovative and interactive manner.

With this App you can collect thirty items in various locations in the city, such as places where Anne and her friends played, where they grew up and where they went to school. Because you find these items at specific locations, you will experience the city like you have never seen before. You will see personal stories, footage and unique war photos from the past as you are on today’s street. It is a powerful way in which the past and present come together.    

Anne’s Amsterdam is available for download for the iOS, Android and WP7 in Dutch, English and German versions.

Anne Frank’s Amsterdam

The mobile App is a part of Anne Frank’s Amsterdam, a multimedia project that is about Amsterdam, Anne Frank and the Jewish community. Anne Frank’s Amsterdam is available in Dutch, English and German. Making the site available in other languages will create a wider audience of viewer interest. Moreover, it will enable English and German speakers to learn more about Amsterdam, especially the stories and events surrounding the city during World War II.

The creation of the Anne Frank’s Amsterdam App is a gift presented to the Anne Frank House from Repudo and LBi.

More questions....

Questions and answers.

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Anne's Amsterdam

Starting today you can discover for yourself Anne Frank's and her contemporaries’ stories at thirty special places in the city with the Anne’s Amsterdam mobile application. The Anne Frank House has developed this App together with Repudo and LBi with the aim of making the city’s wartime history better known. Anne's Amsterdam is available in Dutch, English and German and suitable for smart phones with iOS, Android and WP7. 

With Anne’s Amsterdam you can view personal stories, film footage and unique photographs from the past at the same location today. There are images of Anne Frank and her friends on the Merwedeplein, German troops entering the city on the Rokin and the raid on the Jonas Daniël Meijerplein. This link between the past and the present enables you to see the city in a different way by which events of the war come to life. You can collect the stories, films and photos for your digital album on your telephone. You can also send your items per e-mail and encourage others to use the App via Facebook and Twitter.

In depth information

The items collected link to the website Anne Frank’s Amsterdam. A visual timeline gives in depth information and context. Personal stories, not previously published on the internet, from Jewish and non-Jewish eyewitnesses give a view of life during the occupation. The period before and after the occupation are also discussed, placing Amsterdam’s war time history in a broader perspective.

German soldiers being welcomed by Dutch Nazis on the Rokin (16 May 1940) blended into the street view of today.

Presentation and cooperation

The Anne Frank House, Repudo and LBi combined their historical, technological and creative forces in the joint development of the App. It is a gift to the Anne Frank House from Repudo and LBi, contributing to an innovative way of informing and involving the public in Amsterdam’s history.

More questions...

Questions and answers.

Posters

From 2 to 8 May there will be poster campaign in the city of Amsterdam to introduce the App. Cinema Tuschinski made the Anne’s Amsterdam campaign financially possible by gifting the proceeds from the auction of their old carpet to the Anne Frank House. The wartime history of Amsterdam’s oldest cinema can be found in the App as well as on the website.

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Annual Report 2011

The entire Annual Report 2011 of the Anne Frank House can be viewed online. It gives a good overview of our activities last year. You can post comments at the bottom of each page.

Go to the Annual Report.

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Anne Frank’s birthday

On 12 June 1942 Anne Frank celebrated her thirteenth birthday. Her parents gave her a diary with a red checked cover, her favourite present. “I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support”, Anne wrote in her diary the same day. Today marks what would have been Anne Frank’s 83rd birthday, and seventy years since she was given her first diary.

The red checked diary was not really a surprise. Anne had chosen it the day before in the bookshop around the corner from their house on the Merwedeplein square. Anne began the diary with her life story, and with profiles of her classmates. A few weeks after her thirteenth birthday, on 6 July 1942, Anne went into hiding in the ‘secret annexe’ at her father’s business on the Prinsengracht canal. Her diary was the first thing she packed. It became her best friend, and would remain so for over two years.

Anne’s Amsterdam

The Anne Frank House has recently launched the mobile app Anne’s Amsterdam, which you can use to explore the history of Anne Frank and her contemporaries at thirty locations around Amsterdam. You see stories, films and photos from the past at the same locations today. On and around the Merwedeplein square you can see the only moving images of Anne Frank, an interview with her neighbour and friend Hanneli Goslar and a photo of the Blankevoort bookshop where Anne bought her red checked diary. You can pick up the images and stories and collect them in a digital album on your mobile phone. The items you pick up are linked to the website Anne Frank’s Amsterdam, where you can find more information.

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Diary of Anne Frank 65 years in print

It is 65 years ago today that the diary of Anne Frank first appeared in print. On 25 June 1947, Anne’s father Otto Frank – the only one of the eight people in hiding in the Secret Annex who survived the extermination camps – simply noted in his diary: ‘Book’. Later he said of that day: ‘If she had been here, Anne would have been so proud.’

Otto returns to Amsterdam

After the liberation of Auschwitz, Otto returns to Amsterdam. On the journey back he hears of the death of his wife Edith. He hopes that his daughters Margot and Anne are still alive, but then he learns that they too have not survived the war. The helper Miep Gies gives him Anne’s diary papers, which she has kept in her desk drawer since the arrest of the people in hiding. In the diary Otto reads that after the war Anne wanted to publish a book about her time in hiding. She had even rewritten a large part of her original diary. Otto Frank hesitates at first, but he finally decides to fulfil his daughter’s wish.

Newspaper article: ‘A child’s voice’

Otto Frank types out Anne’s diary, and it finds its way via a number of different contacts to Jan and Annie Romein, both historians. Jan Romein is deeply impressed, and writes an article about Anne’s diary that appears on the front page of the Dutch newspaper Het Parool on 3 April 1946. ‘For me, all the hideousness of fascism is embodied in this apparently insignificant diary of a child, more than in all the Nuremberg court documents put together’, he writes. A number of publishers become interested. ‘The Secret Annex: Diary letters from 14 June 1942 to 1 August 1944' is published by Contact publishers of Amsterdam on 25 June 1947 in an edition of 3,000 copies.

Deep thoughts and feelings

Otto Frank later recalled what he felt when he read the diary for the first time: ‘I began to read slowly, only a few pages each day, more would have been impossible, as I was overwhelmed by painful memories. For me, it was a revelation. There was revealed a completely different Anne to the child that I had lost. I had no idea of the depths of her thoughts and feelings.'

Worldwide

After the first Dutch edition in 1947, Anne’s diary is published in Germany and France in 1950. An English translation follows in 1952. The book has currently been translated into seventy languages.

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In hiding

It is 70 years ago today (July 6, 1942) that the Frank family went into hiding. The family has decided to go into hiding in the back of the building where Anne’s father, Otto Frank, has his business. With the help of a few trusted employees... he has refurbished this annex as a secret hiding place. Four employees know about the plan. They have promised to help…

Two years

In July 1942, the people in hiding are unaware that they will spend more than two years in the Secret Annex. All that time, they will not be able to go outside and they will have to share the darkness and dampness of the hiding place, continually fearful of being discovered…

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The Arrest

68 years ago today, on a warm August day in 1944, the thing everyone has been afraid of for so long finally happens: they’re discovered and arrested.

On 4 August 1944, everyone in the Secret Annex is arrested. Someone has betrayed them. They are deported first to the Westerbork transit camp, and then on to Auschwitz. Otto Frank is the only person from the Secret Annex to survive the camps...

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Google Cultural Institute

The Anne Frank House has entered into a partnership with the Google Cultural Institute with a new online exhibit. Together with leading museums and archives, the Institute presents a collection of accounts of key events in the 20th century. 42 exhibits, including the Anne Frank exhibit, go online today.

The online exhibit Anne Frank: her life, her diary, her legacy places the story of Anne Frank in the context of Nazi Germany and the Second World War. It has been specially created for the Google Cultural Institute.

A unique aspect of this project is that, alongside material from the Anne Frank collection, it also shows images from other important archives, including those of  Life Photo Collection, Yad Vashem, the Imperial War Museums and Getty Images, who are also partners of the Google Cultural Institute.

Partnership

The partnership with the Google Cultural Institute is important for the Anne Frank House because it helps to fulfil its mission: to tell the story of Anne Frank worldwide. With this exhibit the Anne Frank House hopes to reach an even wider and younger audience.

Special items

Some of the special items in the online exhibit are:

- the only moving images of Anne Frank;
- a video extract in which Anne Frank’s childhood friend Hanneli Goslar speaks of her last meeting with Anne in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp (Hanneli will open the new exhibition on Anne Frank in the Anne Frank House on 11 October 2012);
- the last film images of Miep Gies, the helper of Anne Frank and the people in hiding with her, in the Anne Frank House as she places personal documents in a display case (which you can also see on www.youtube.com/annefrank);
- photos from the Life Photo Collection of a group of American students visiting the Anne Frank House in 1961;
- colour photos from the Life Photo Collection of the Nazi era in Germany and the invasion of the Netherlands by German troops in 1940.

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‘So I’m now fifteen’

The new exhibition in the Anne Frank House, ‘So I’m now fifteen’ – Photos, letters and books of Anne Frank, was opened today. The exhibition focuses on the short life of Anne Frank (1929-1945), and features one or more photos, letters and books from each year of her life. Some have only recently been acquired by the museum, and are being shown in public for the first time. Hanneli Pick-Goslar, a Holocaust survivor and friend of Anne Frank, opened the exhibition, and spoke of her friendship with Anne Frank and their final meeting in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. The exhibition can be seen in the Anne Frank House until October 2013.

Exhibition

Photos in the exhibition show a vivacious and curious girl who at first lives a normal life: Anne on her father’s lap, at the beach with her sister Margot, with friends at an ice rink, with classmates at the Montessori school. But the German occupation of Holland and anti-Jewish measures change her life drastically. The Frank family has to go into hiding, and Anne is forced to grow up quickly. In one of the letters in the exhibition, to her father, Anne writes: “You can and may regard me as fourteen, but with all the trouble I’ve become older.” In hiding in the ‘Secret Annexe’, Anne develops into a talented writer. On 13 June 1944 she writes in her diary: “Another birthday has gone by, so I’m now fifteen.” Shortly afterwards Anne, her family and the four other people in hiding with them are betrayed and arrested by the Nazis.

Filmed impression of the exhibition on YouTube

New acquisitions

The exhibition includes a number of new acquisitions. There is a tea set, for example, and  the book 'Dutch Sagas and Myths', in which Anne wrote 'a memento of Anne Frank', given by Anne to her friend Toosje Kupers just before she went into hiding. The book ‘Basic Principles of Botany’ is also on display. Anne was given the book by her parents for her fifteenth, and last, birthday. On the flyleaf she wrote her name, the date, and ‘the Secret Annexe’.

Anne's tenth birthday. Anne is the second from the left, Hanneli Goslar is the fourth girl from the left. (© AFS/AFF)

Hanneli Goslar

One of the photos in the exhibition shows Anne on her tenth birthday, arm in arm with Hanneli Goslar and other young friends on the Merwedeplein square. Hanneli, now 83 years old, talked of her friendship with Anne at the opening, as she also does in a film on show in the exhibition. The two friends first met at nursery school, and spoke to each other for the last time in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Anne died in Bergen-Belsen in March 1945. She was fifteen years old.

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One Million

This afternoon the Anne Frank House received its one millionth visitor this year: the 22-year-old Warren Peers from Brisbane, Australia. It is expected that the museum will once again attract a record number of visitors in 2012 (the previous record was in 2011, with 1,104,233 visitors). The majority of the – mainly young – visitors come from outside of the Netherlands (85%).

A short film about the welcoming of our one millionth visitor,

The large number of visitors is partly thanks to the museum’s long opening hours and the possibility to buy entrance tickets online. In 2013 the museum will again be open from 9 AM to 9 PM (10 PM on Saturdays) from 15 March to 15 September, and from 9 AM to 10 PM every day in July and August. Increasing numbers of people are buying their entrance tickets on the internet.

Umbrella

Many visitors come to the Anne Frank House during vacation periods, often with queues as a result. On rainy days like today visitors can borrow one of our umbrellas for shelter. Additionally, the free WiFi hotspot enables them to prepare themselves for their visit. This is especially popular with foreign visitors.

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Cooperation Yad Vashem

Yad Vashem and the Anne Frank House signed a cooperation agreement in the field of education, expanding professional development opportunities for educators to study the difficult and complex subject matter of Holocausteducation. Yad Vashem and the Anne Frank House will now work more closely together to support teachers who wish to learn more about the Holocaust.

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Otto Frank collection acquired

The Anne Frank House has acquired an important collection of letters, photos and documents relating to Otto Frank, the father of Anne Frank. The collection originates from the estate of the actor Joseph Schildkraut, who corresponded with Otto Frank in the early 1950s in preparation for his role as Otto in the stage version of Anne’s diary.

The collection includes a number of unique letters and documents concerning Otto Frank’s attempts to emigrate to the USA with his family before they went into hiding. The Anne Frank House was able to acquire the collection thanks to a contribution from the BankGiro Lottery.

The diary of Anne Frank became especially popular in the USA after it was adapted into a stage play. Otto Frank, the only one of the eight people in hiding in the ‘Secret Annexe’ to survive the war, was closely involved in the creation of the play. In the correspondence between Otto Frank and the actor Joseph Schildkraut, Otto answers questions that Schildkraut has in preparation for his role. The correspondence forms an important source for the history of the creation of the play and its success in the USA, and provides a wealth of information on the Frank family and the period in hiding. The collection also includes photos of the Frank family, the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer (the other people in hiding in the Secret Annexe), and the helpers Johannes Kleiman, Victor Kugler, Bep Voskuijl and Miep and Jan Gies.

Emigration attempts

The estate of Joseph Schildkraut also contains letters and documents of Otto Frank that Nathan Straus, a good friend of Otto Frank from the USA, gave to Schildkraut to help him prepare for his role. In a letter from 1936, Otto writes to Nathan that his children are doing well, but that the threat of the Nazism is also tangible in the Netherlands. There are also various documents, including a letter from Otto to Nathan from 1941, which concern Otto Frank’s attempts to emigrate to the USA with his family. These letters and documents are the bitter testimony to the hopeless situation in which the Frank family found itself.

Valuable addition

Among its other activities, Anne Frank House curates the Otto Frank archive. The archive contains letters on the publication of the diary and the creation of stage plays and films, correspondence of Otto Frank with readers of the diary, documents connected with legal actions against neo-Nazis and documentation on the history of the Anne Frank House. The collection from the estate of Joseph Schildkraut is a valuable addition to the Anne Frank House’s archives.

BankGiro Lottery

The Otto Frank collection that has been acquired originates from the estate of Joseph Schildkraut, whose widow, Leonora Schildkraut, consigned it to the auction house, Doyle New York. With the mediation of Doyle New York, Leonora Schildkraut withdrew the collection from the auction, and the Anne Frank House was able to acquire it thanks to a contribution from the BankGiro Lottery.

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Education project in Brasil

Today a major educational project is launched in the state of São Paolo, Brasil. Its based around the travelling Anne Frank exhibition and the debate programme on conflicting human rights Free2choose. The great value of the programme lies in the developed methodology to involve young people, and to influence their attitudes and behaviour in relation to themes such as discrimination, racism, violence and social exclusion.

Signing

In the presence of Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands an agreement is signed by the executive director of the Anne Frank House, Ronald Leopold, and the Secretary of Education of Sao Paulo, Herman Voorwald.

The executive director of the Anne Frank House, Ronald Leopold, after the signing of the agreement.

School Protection Programme

The Ministry of Education of the state of São Paolo has recently started a large-scale School Protection Programme with the appointment of more than 2500 Mediation Teachers. It is an inspiring, unique project, and the Anne Frank project fits seamlessly into it. The ultimate goal is to reach the 10% of most socially vulnerable schools in the state of São Paulo with the project: over 500 schools in the state of São Paulo as a whole.

Scale

Never before in the history of the Anne Frank House a project on this scale was carried out. This has only been possible thanks to the support of the state of São Paolo. Its also exceptional in an international perspective.

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Victoria Hotel Amsterdam

Situated in the heart of the bustling shopping and business center, opposite the monumental train station of Amsterdam, close to the Dam Square, Royal Palace and other places of interest, the Victoria Hotel Amsterdam is a four-star deluxe hotel built in 1890. It has been one of the Amsterdam's most remarkable historic buildings, and it is well-known throughout the world for its great old architecture and carved stone façade.



Victoria Hotel Amsterdam offers 305 well appointed rooms for their guests, including executive rooms and business and deluxe suites. It also features the great restaurants like the Seasons Garden Restaurant, and there are a business center, beauty parlor, and the Active Club with sauna, Turkish bath and swimming pool. Speaking of swimming pool, it is nice to know that at Victoria Hotel Amsterdam, the guests can use the swimming pool free of charge. And, if what you are after is a personal office, the hotel can provide you with such need. If it is not enough, Victoria Hotel Amsterdam offers the back-up of a professional business center.



Rooms and Amenities



As mentioned earlier, Victoria Hotel Amsterdam offers 305 well appointed rooms for their guests. All of these rooms are air conditioned. They are equipped with all the facilities expected of a four-star hotel. Included in the list are wireless internet, direct dial telephone, a work desk, cable TV, in house movie channel, mini bar, trouser press and in room safe. What is more interesting to know is that the Executive rooms of Victoria Hotel Amsterdam offer additional features such as coffee and tea making facilities, complimentary bottle of mineral water, daily newspaper, and luxury bathroom amenities. Currently, Victoria Hotel Amsterdam has 305 guest rooms, 54 executive rooms, 224 superior rooms, 13 business suites, 14 deluxe, 2 guest rooms adapted for the physically challenged, and 112 non-smoking rooms located on non-smoking floors.



Meetings and Events



Whether you are hosting a conference or business seminar, or entertaining associates over lunch or dinner, Victoria Hotel Amsterdam offers a wide variety of private dining options to add an exclusive touch to any kind of event you are after. They also help you in planning a meeting or function of any size. Their private business suites can accommodate 2 to 150 delegates, with all the amenities you want most.



Dining



Victoria Hotel Amsterdam offers three available dining areas for their guests. All of these dining centers cater every culinary taste and the menus range from international cuisine to a wide selection of beverages. One of the most well-known centers for dining at Victoria Hotel Amsterdam is the Seasons Garden Restaurant where you can enjoy extensive American breakfast in an elegant setting. This place even caters to conference lunches and dinners on request. There is also the Tasman Bar, which is a cozy bar where international drinks and snack are served. This bar is open daily and casual attire is required. Aside from these two mentioned centers for dining at Victoria Hotel Amsterdam, there is also Vic's Brassiere & Terrace, a charming area developed in a traditional style.



Here, you will be served with light drinks and snacks, as well as breakfast for groups, light lunch and dinner. And, if you prefer room service during your stay in Victoria Hotel Amsterdam, the hotel actually offers a convenience rooms service, so you can take your meals in the comfort and privacy of your room.

The University of Amsterdam

First founded as the Athenaeum Illustre in 1632, the University of Amsterdam was built to educate students in Trade and Philosophy. During the early days, when this establishment was not yet a proper university, the lessons were generally given at the homes of the professors, and until the nineteenth century, the Athenaeum remained as a small institution, with no more than 250 students and eight teachers.



In 1877, the Athenaeum Illustre saw its boom when it was changed to Universiteit van Amsterdam, now known as UvA or University of Amsterdam. It was also during that time that the University of Amsterdam was permitted to bestow the highest educational degrees.



Since the name change, years of rapid growth lay ahead. By 1900, it was recorded that there were about 900 students studying at the University of Amsterdam. This number had risen to 2,500 by 1935, and to 7,500 by 1960. The following years, more fields of study and research were introduced and the new university departments were formed.



The University of Amsterdam these days has already more than 22,000 students. It is also worth noting that from Trade to Philosophy, the original Athenaeum Illustre had expanded into a comprehensive university offering almost 60 disciplinary fields. Of these fields, the field of technology is an exception.



With its number of students, the University of Amsterdam achieved the title of being one of the major comprehensive universities in the whole continent of Europe. The title is also attributed to the university's budget of 487 million euros. The University of Amsterdam currently has a strong internalization programme and as an Amsterdam-based university, they offer a number of Dutch and English language courses. In addition, the University has seven faculties covering humanities, social and behavioral sciences, economic and business, medicine and dentistry, science, and law.



It is further interesting to know that the University of Amsterdam offers a comprehensive range of academic study programmes. They also publish scholarly articles of around 7,500 every year. As it is highly claimed, the fundamental academic research of the university is top of the international league in a number of respects. And, in terms of their applied research programmes, it has been noted that these programmes are often of interdisciplinary nature and they generally often focus on the social issues.



What's more interesting to know is the fact that the University now has a number of great libraries and museums. In particular, there is the University Musuem, Art and the UvA, Allard Pierson Museum, Museum Vrolik, Schriftmusuem J.A. Dortmond, UvA Computer Museum, Zoological Museum Amsterdam, and Libraries. All of these carry a great collection of necessary materials like documentation, records, art crafts, and a lot more.



Finally, as a well-known and reputable institution, the University of Amsterdam now strives so hard to offer an inspiring and broadly oriented international academic environment where both members of the staff and students can enhance their capabilities to achieve an optimum result. It is interesting to know that the University of Amsterdam is now characterized by a critical, creative and international atmosphere, open minded and strongly engaged with society.



And, since it was founded in both the historic and modern buildings spread throughout the city, the University greatly forms an integral part of the Amsterdam.

The Amsterdam Coffee Shop

The term "coffeeshop" was first created by the Dutch habit of running words together, and since its application, it has become synonymous with a special kind of coffee shop. As you may have thought, the Amsterdam coffee shops do sell coffee and have one or more table to sit and drink it, but much to your surprise, the primary commodity in the Amsterdam coffee shops is cannabis, the botanical name for the plant from which marijuana comes. They are now licensed by the local council and subject to regulation; however, a strict minimum age of 18 is enforced.



How the Amsterdam Coffee Shops Work



In Amsterdam, the coffee shops are not allowed to advertise, thus you won't see a big sign saying "Marijuana for Sale". So, if you don't see the dealer's booth, simply go up to the bar and ask to see the menu. You will be presented with a list of the different grasses and hashes available at a range of prices.



In most of the Amsterdam coffee shops, the cannabis is sold by weight, but there are some that sold it by value. Where it is sold by weight, the prices for the cannabis are usually per gram. There are about 28 grams in an ounce, but there are still other Amsterdam coffee shops that actually sell quarters and eights if you want. On the other hand, where it is sold by value, the menu will present the quantity, in grams, that you'll get of each variety for a fixed amount of 20 euros, for example.



The Usual Prices



Being a primary commodity in most Amsterdam coffee shops, the prices of cannabis generally vary according to the location and type of the Amsterdam coffee shop. The heart of the city, the Amsterdam coffee shops sell the cannabis with prices that tend to be a little higher especially in places that cater for tourists. That involves both the connoisseur's shops and rip-off joints. It is also worth noting that the Amsterdam coffee shops are prohibited to promote or advertise their wares and most have removed their menus from their web sites.



The Question on Legality



As you may know, the legal situation of Amsterdam coffee shops selling cannabis is quite complicated. International treaties prohibit the Netherlands from legalizing cannabis, even if they wanted to. However, the possession of a small quantity is considered to be a misdemeanor rather than a criminal offence.



Many of the people in Amsterdam are used to a certain practice in which the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis is permitted. The people are allowed to purchase five grams at a time, though, so you could be asked to explain if you are carrying more than five grams. But, along with these regulations, the law prohibits the Amsterdam coffee shops from advertising, exporting outside of the Netherlands, using hard drugs, an excess of five grams, an excess of the maximum of 500 grams of stock, and sales to under 18 years of age. Incidentally, the 500 gram stock rule which as long been maintained by the Amsterdam coffee shops, is routinely broken by the busier shops.



It is now used by the authorities as pretence for occasional random raids to keep an eye on them.

The Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Highly accessible by air, land or sea, the Amsterdam is basically one of Europe's top destinations. Affordable flights from within Europe, as well as direct flights from outside of the continent are readily available with the service of Europe's fourth largest airport - the Amsterdam airport Schiphol.



The Amsterdam Airport Schiphol sees itself as far more than an airport. As claimed on its miniguide, which is obtainable from the information desks of the airport, the Amsterdal airport Schiphol is the Netherlands newest city as it caters to an audience wider than the humble trekker.



What sets the Amsterdam airport Schiphol apart from the other European airports is that, it offers a number of great attractions. Included in the list are the casino, the sauna and massage service. There was even a time that one entrepreneur was interested in opening a discreet licensed brother at this Amsterdam airport, bur even the liberal Dutch required time on that.



Driving Directions



The Amsterdam airport Schiphol is actually situated off the A4 motorway, which connects the city of Amsterdam to The Haque, Netherland's seat of government, and Rotterdam. The exit to the airport is clearly signposted.



Car Parking



There are two short-term car parks in the Schiphol: the P1 and P2. These two are both connected to the terminal and the Schiphol Plaza by covered walkways, and is recommended of stays for up to 48 hours. Aside from the short-term car parks, there is also an available long-term parking in the airport, at an open-air P3. This car park area is situated 4 kilometers from the terminal, and a 24-hour shuttle bus is servicing in this area to provide links between P3 and the terminal. A luxury car park is also available, including a valet service.



The Bad Marks and Plus Points of the Schiphol Airport



There are a number of reasons for choosing the Amsterdam airport Schiphol. One of those is the fact that all the offbeat attractions of the airport are housed under one roof, with none of the terminal hopping that causes minor panic in transfer passengers or sometimes confuses unwary first time users. Aside from that is the fact that every great things stems from the vast Schiphol Plaza, which is the central hall of this Amsterdam airport. It is actually the plaza which provides easy access to car parks and the conveniently located rail station. In addition, it is the plaza which places pressure on your wallet as it provides a number of shops, with 40 shops currently on record.



The Schiphol airport further scores highly for its catering service that is offered both before and after passport security. It is even noted for its great thoughtful touches like a nursery for people traveling with young children. What's more, the Amsterdam airport Schiphol is just so close to the city of Amsterdam with good transport links. It even has the best viewing terrace designed and built for aircraft enthusiasts at any major European hub airport.



However, just like many other airports in different areas in the world, the Amsterdam airport Schiphol has a reputation for baggage handling problems that greatly affected transfer passengers. And, for many people, its business center which is located airside only serves as bad mark for the airport.

Swissotel Amsterdam

So you want to stay in the center of Amsterdam, but still want to be able to get a good night sleep? Well, I'd say stay at the Swissotel Amsterdam and you'll enjoy your vacation ultimately.



Swissotel Amsterdam is strategically situated in the heart of Amsterdam, offering easy access to the cultural attractions and shops around Dam Square. This hotel is very close to public transport, making it a popular choice for business and leisure travelers. With more than a hundred recently refurbished rooms, Swissotel Amsterdam has retained its sense of character, personalized service, and intimacy, and now it is known as a four-star business luxury hotel.



Hotel Accommodation



Swissotel Amsterdam currently offers 109 elegantly refurbished rooms: 36 Standard rooms, 59 Superior rooms, 9 Junior suites, and 5 Executive suites. The Standard rooms are generally equipped with king size or twin beds, air conditioning, tub with shower, hairdryer, mini-bar, safe, ISDN lines, modem connection, three telephones, cable TV with pay-per-view movies. The larger-sized Superior rooms are also equipped with other amenities, including a large desk, trouser press, iron and iron board. And, the Junior and Executive suites are beautifully equipped with additional features such as an extra large desk, spacious bathroom with separate shower and bath tubs, espresso machine, VCR and audio set, and three telephones. Note that most of these rooms offers by Swissotel Amsterdam are soundproofed and equipped with the business guest in mind.



Business and Banquet Facilities



Built with the business guest in mind, the Swissotel Amsterdam provides 35 square meter Epsom meeting room that is capable of accommodating 22 delegates. At these rooms, meeting packages are offered, and these packages start at 52 euros, including room rental, luxurious sandwich luncheon, refreshments and biscuits, fresh fruits, and overhead projector and other business stationery. Swissotel Amsterdam further boasts its business center and multilingual staff.



Leisure Activities



Swissotel Amsterdam has a leisure center situated close to the hotel. This center provides state of the art exercise equipment as well as in room medical massages. What's more nice to know is the fact that at Swissotel Amsterdam's leisure center, you will find a variety of sports like golf, horse riding, indoor wall climbing, bicycling, scating and tennis. These sports are just available nearby.

Restaurants and Bars



Just like some of the top rated hotels in the city of Amsterdam, Swissotel Amsterdam has restaurants and bars that serve complimentary dining. In particular, there is the Simply Bread, which serves breakfast and bar meals for lunch and dinner. And, aside from Simply Bread, Swissotel Amsterdam has a popular evening bar for their guests who wish to spend the night with a glass of complimentary drink.



Other Services and Facilities



Swissotel Amsterdam really has a lot to offer. Outside from restaurants and bars, comfortable rooms, and business centers, this hotel has 24-hour front desk and room service. They also has a center for currency exchange, and they offer laundry or valet service, babysitting or child services, express checkout, business center, conference rooms, elevators, wheelchair accessible elevators, and non-smoking rooms. Swissotel Amsterdam even features international ambiance and personalized service for their guests.

Cheap Hotels in Amsterdam

For many people, Amsterdam is a great place to visit. It has been considered in fact as one of the top city break destinations of Europe, possessing all the possible characteristics of a wonderful place: a blend of the past, the present and the future. Although a small city, Amsterdam prides itself for being one of the greatest small cities in the world, and with a wide choice of lodgings in the area perfect for a short vacation, it's no wonder that many tourists from across the globe visit Amsterdam.



Speaking of lodgings, it is worthy to note that Amsterdam offers a wide selection of cheap hotels that could provide you the best accommodation and complimentary dining possible. If you want to know even just a few names that top the list, then look no further. Below are the top-rated cheap hotels in Amsterdam where you can enjoy an ultimate vacation experience.



Renaissance Hotel Amsterdam



Conveniently located in the very heart of the city, between the Dam Square and Amsterdam Central Station, the Renaissance Hotel is a five-star property that blends in well with the traditional gabled houses in the area and offers a pleasant, informal atmosphere combined with the high level of service you would expect from a luxury hotel. Form this place, the Magna Plaza, a famous shopping area, is just one kilometer away. And, outside from its well appointed rooms, this cheap hotel in Amsterdam has a conference facility which is the 17th century domed Koepelkerk, situated opposite this cheap hotel in Amsterdam and connected by an underground passage.



Park Hotel Amsterdam



Another well-known cheap hotel in Amsterdam is the Park Hotel, located in the center of the city, overlooking one of the many city canals. This hotel is also just a short stroll away from the famous Leidseplein. As maintained, the public facilities at this cheap hotel in Amsterdam cover an underground car park, the De Stadhouder Restaurant and the Inn On The Park bar and lounge. Also, it is interesting to know that the rooms provided by this hotel are fully furnished to an excellent level and even include in-house movie channels, cable TV, and a lot more. With all its wonders, Park Hotel Amsterdam is no doubt a good choice for a short vacation in the greatly planned city of Amsterdam.



Marriott Amsterdam



The Marriott Amsterdam is an ideal place in the center of the city, close to canals and the picturesque city center. This cheap hotel in Amsterdam is even stone's throw away from the famous Van Gogh museum as well as Rijksmuseum. What is nice about this cheap hotel in Amsterdam is that the guests can greatly enjoy a diversity of entertainment, night life, and shopping options within walking distance. There are also some restaurants, outside terraces, pubs, theaters and movie houses that could give you the fun and excitement you want most.



Ibis Hotel Amsterdam



Ibis Hotel Amsterdam is a three-star hotel located very close to Amsterdam Central Station. This place offers comfortable accommodation in all 187 of its well appointed guest rooms. What is nice about this cheap hotel in Amsterdam is that its hotel staff provides efficient, warmth and friendly service, making your stay a memorable and comfortable one. Ibis Hotel Amsterdam is also within walking distance from the well-acclaimed Amsterdam red light district, great museums, and flower market.

Cheap Amsterdam Hotels

Amsterdam, as you may know, is one of the top city break destinations of Europe. It has all the characteristics of a wonderful place: great buildings, fascinating museums, canals, and of course a wide choice of lodgings for a short vacation. Although a small city, Amsterdam prides itself for being one of the greatest "small" cities in the world.



If you have been thinking or planning for a short vacation to Amsterdam, note that there are a number of cheap Amsterdam hotels that could provide you with the best accommodation available. These cheap Amsterdam hotels could give you the adventure, fun and excitement you want most. Thus, knowing even just a few of them is worthy of consideration.



Below are the top-rated cheap hotels in the great city of Amsterdam.



Victoria Hotel Amsterdam



Founded in 1890, Victoria Hotel Amsterdam is a four-star luxury hotel located in the heart of the city, opposite Amsterdam Central Station and just a stroll away from Dam Square. This spot is highly well-known for its comfortable and stylish accommodation, as well as its "Active Club" that features complimentary swimming pool and sauna, fitness center, beauty parlor, and solarium. In terms of dining, this cheap Amsterdam hotel has the Tasman Bar and Seasons Garden Restaurant that offer menus ranging from international cuisine to a wide selection of complimentary drinks. There are also 10 fully equipped conference rooms, making the Victoria Hotel Amsterdam the ultimate destination where there is always something to suit everyone's need on their visit to the city, whether on business or vacation.



Ibis Hotel Amsterdam



Ibis Hotel Amsterdam is a three-star hotel located very close to Amsterdam Central Station. This place offers comfortable accommodation in all 187 of its well appointed guest rooms. What is nice about this cheap Amsterdam hotel is that its hotel staff provides efficient, warmth and friendly service, making your stay a memorable and comfortable one. Ibis Hotel Amsterdam is also within walking distance from the well-acclaimed Amsterdam red light district, great museums, and flower market.



Hotel Arena Amsterdam



Situated in the eastern part of Central Amsterdam, the Hotel Arena Amsterdam is just minutes away from the Artis Zoo. It sits proudly behind the Oosterpark and housed in a stunning monumental building. Just like the other mentioned cheap Amsterdam hotels, Hotel Arena offers stylish and comfortable accommodation as well as fantastic entertainment all under one roof. There is the "To Dine" that offers fine dining in an intimate atmosphere and a great night out is guaranteed without leaving this cheap Amsterdam hotel.



Amsterdam Airport Hotel



Founded in the area of the Schiphol Airport, this cheap Amsterdam hotel offers luxury lodgings without a heavy price tag. It is connected to the Schiphol Airport, making this hotel a Schiphol Airport Hotel. It is easily reached by a free quick regular shuttle bus and guests can reach the center of the city from this place within 30 minutes or even quicker by cab. Amsterdam Airport Hotel currently features 422 rooms that are elegantly furnished, spacious and offer comfortable nights sleep. And, for those trekkers who are not wanting to venture into the heart of Amsterdam for the evening, this cheap Amsterdam hotel has a bar and restaurant, making this hotel a perfect place to relax.

Background to Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands. It is known throughout the world as one of the greatest small cities in the world. It lies on the banks of two rivers, the Amstel and IJ, and from its canals to the world famous museums and historical sights, Amsterdam has long been considered as one of the most romantic and wonderful cities in the whole continent of Europe.



Established in the later 12th century as a small fishing village on the banks of the Amstel River, Amsterdam has one of the largest historic city centers in Europe. One of the focal point of interest in this city is the Golden Age of Netherlands that dates largely from the 17th century. It was noted that at this time, a row of concentric, semi-circular canals were built around the older city center, but this establishment still defines the city's layout and appearance today. Amsterdam now has fine houses and mansions that are situated along the canals.



The City Government



Amsterdam, as all Dutch municipalities, is governed by a mayor, his wethouders (aldermen), and the municipal council. Nevertheless, the city is subdivided into fifteen stadsdelen (boroughs), which is a system implemented in the 1980s to improve local governance. The establishment of this system is what sets Amsterdam unique from other Dutch municipalities. The stadsdelen are said to be responsible for a number of activities that previously had been governed and managed by the central city. Fourteen of these have their respective council, which is chosen by a popular election. Westerpoort, the fifteenth, covers the harbour of the city and has very few inhabitants. It is also governed by the central municipal council.



The Language



When it comes to language, many of the people in Amsterdam are proud of the fact that just about everyone speaks English. Although many also speak German and French, it is worth noting that in this capital city of Netherlands, it is a tradition that if you are English speaking, then speak English, unless you speak Dutch too because you are more likely to offend than do anyone a favor by trying out your French or German.



There is a common misconception in the language of Amsterdam; one of those is that Dutch is very close to German. The truth is, they are not mutually intelligible: Dutch people have to learn German at school, and in general they speak better English than German. However, Dutch and German are similar in the same sort of way that French and Italian are similar.



The Weather



In Amsterdam, the typical weather ranges from a little around freezing in the depths of winter to typically pleasant sunny days of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius in the summer. There is also a little snow during the winter season. Furthermore, the spring and autumn are pleasant in Amsterdam; however these seasons can be wet, with 100+ mm of rain per month.



Safety and Health



Amsterdam is a safe city, thus there is nothing really to fear from walking in any part of the city. It has been noted that even in the red-light district around the Oude Kerk, tourists are always spotted wandering around. However, as in any large cities in other parts of the world, you should beware of pick pockets.

Amsterdam, Netherlands Hotel

Amsterdam, Netherlands is one of the most visited cities in the continent of Europe attracting visitors from across the globe. It is highly acclaimed not only for its great canals and historical museums and libraries, but also for its great hotels that offer the best accommodation available.



Well, many of the Amsterdam, Netherlands hotels reached 80 percent occupancy in the low season and 90 percent plus for the rest of the year. This particular report, as you may know, makes finding accommodation at a reasonable price a great challenge. But, thanks to some resources out there on the web that they have greatly sorted out the top-rated Amsterdam, Netherlands hotels for the people to easily find and locate the right option. Now, if you are one of the many people out there who are looking for an excellent Amsterdam, Netherlands hotel, then look no further. Enjoy your vacation at one of the Amsterdam, Netherlands hotels mentioned below.



Hotel Pulitzer



Hotel Pulitzer is in the first place a member of the Great Hotels of the World, which is a collection of the world's finest luxury hotels. This spot is specifically located in the heart of Amsterdam, and is well-known throughout the world as an outstanding five-star hotel combining the 17th and 18th century grandeur with the very latest in modern comfort. This great Amsterdam, Netherlands hotel is housed in 25 amazing historic buildings alongside two of the Amsterdam's most picturesque canals. As a five-star hotel, Hotel Pulitzer boasts 230 rooms including 6 suites.



Furthermore, this Amsterdam, Netherlands hotel is surrounded by beautifully ornate gardens, which make for the ideal meeting point to wind down after a conference session during the warmer months. All of the rooms are fully equipped with the best amenities and while staying at this Amsterdam, Netherlands hotel, the guests can charter the hotel's private boat, which offers a distinct perspective of the city from its network of canals.



Rho Hotel Amsterdam



Located in a quiet street, just a few steps away from the well-known Dam Square, the Rho Hotel is a three-star hotel that had opened its doors in 1989. As noted, this building was once used by an old Amsterdam gold trading company, and its beautiful reception and lobby were once a theater that features an Art-Deco style. Today, Rho Hotel offers rooms that are modernly designed and comfortable. All of their rooms are equipped with the best private facilities and amenities available. And, they serve good breakfast from their buffet to their guests.



Bilderberg Garden Hotel



The Bilderberg Garden is a five-star Amsterdam, Netherlands hotel that has acquired a reputation of being one of the prestigious addresses in Amsterdam. It is well-known for its great food served in its Mediterranean restaurant, Mangerie de Kersentuin, as well as for its extreme care of details. Perhaps what is best about this Amsterdam, Netherlands hotel is that all of its rooms are designed every guest's need.



The rooms are spacious and there are three color schemes to choose from. And, all of these rooms are equipped with mini-bar, in-room safe, terry bathrobe and slipped and marble bathrooms with Jacuzzi.

Amsterdam, Holland: Basic Facts

Amsterdam is the capital city of Netherlands, also known as Holland. This is considered as the greatest planned city in the world and is located in the province of North Holland, in the north-west of the country. Amsterdam, Holland is a lively, vibrant and liberal city. It also covers an area of about 207 square kilometers and is populated by around 1,730,000 inhabitants. Today, it is known as the "Venice of the North" as it is built on 90 islands connected by 400 stone bridges across 100 kilometers of the canals. With its strategic location, Amsterdam, Holland is relatively quiet with little traffic.



Arts and Events



Amsterdam, Holland is in the first place a place worthy of visit. It has more arts treasures per square kilometer than any other country on earth. Also, it has a number of great museums, all serving as the home to the world's richest and most comprehensive collection of art masterpieces, dating back from the 15th century up to the 20th century. Aside from arts, Amsterdam, Holland is famous for its excellent performance halls that play host to music, dance and the widely acclaimed performing arts festivals.



Amsterdam Dining



A number of restaurants are now operating in Amsterdam, Holland. Their number is even more increasing with multinationals such as Sony, IBM and Xerox choosing Amsterdam as their base for European operations. The restaurants in the city of Amsterdam, Holland offer great dining with international menus that have been dramatically increased, giving diners an extensive choice of cosmopolitan culinary options. It is also interesting to know that local dishes are also served in the restaurants, and include stampot, a down to earth meal consisting of mashed potatoes with carrots, onions, bacon and smoked sausage.



The poffertjes, small hot pancakes covered in powdered sugar are also delicate and sold by vendors at fairs or similar events. However, just note that in Amsterdam, Holland the restaurants will close earlier than you might expect as the Dutch tend to eat early in the evening.



The Tipping Service



In the city of Amsterdam, a service charge is generally included in restaurant prices and taxi fares. However, this tipping service is usual to round the total up to the nearest euro, including a 10 percent for good service. And, the room service and doormen in most of the Amsterdam hotels will generally expect a small tip for their services.



Transportation



Amsterdam, Holland has one of the finest and most reliable transportation networks in the whole continent of Europe. It is this fact that makes Amsterdam, Holland a popular location for industry. As you might notice in the city, fast and frequent trains and buses run throughout the country and are an excellent way to travel from the city of Amsterdam to other parts of the country. What's more, both bus and rail in Amsterdam provide effective connections to Central Station and the Schiphol International Airport.



Weather



The climate in Amsterdam, like the rest of Holland, is generally mild. It is characterized by rarely dropping below freezing in the winter or becoming too hot in the summer. Also, like any other countries in the northern Europe, Amstredam, Holland is very prone to occasional but unspectacular periods of rainfall.

Amsterdam Weather

Planning or thinking for a visit to Amsterdam? Wondering what kind of Amsterdam weather would there in when you get there at this period of time? Well, if what you are after is Amsterdam weather, then the Internet will surely help you in finding the right place to visit for Amsterdam weather forecast.



Generally, there are a number of sites out there in the web that present weather forecast for the Amsterdam area. It is highly presented from those forecasts that in Amsterdam, there is actually of good weather any time of the year. The typical weather in the city ranges from a little around freezing with in winter to beautiful sunny days in the summer. Also, during the winter season in Amsterdam, little snow is often seen, while during summer, the temperature is typically around 25 degrees Celsius.



It is just so normal in this area that you will find people or even you yourself often carrying an umbrella even on the hottest of July days, as summer rain in the morning sometimes precedes the arrival of bright sunshine later. Many of the Amsterdam weather forecasts further suggest that Spring and Autumn in the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands are pleasant, but can wet.



Now, if after mentioning those necessary facts about the weather in Amsterdam, you still want to actually view the forecast yourself, then you better read on. I have included below a few of the resources I have considered for finding the exact and current weather of the city of Amsterdam. Here they are:



WunderGround.com



WunderGround.com is an online site designed for those who wish to know the weather for any city, state or country. Thus, it's no wonder that here you will find information about the current weather condition in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Presented in the page of WunderGround.com is actually information on the preset condition of the city of Amsterdam, along with a five-day Amsterdam weather forecast.



CNN.com



CNN.com is another great site to consider when the matter is about Amsterdam weather. Just like the above mentioned site, CNN.com features information about the current weather condition of the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands. It has been presented in the report that the city is experiencing rain shower with a temperature of 43 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, CNN.com presents a five-day forecast of the Amsterdam weather, including a map on the forecast, temperature, and satellite for a much better and larger view.



BBC.co.uk



BBC presents the current weather condition of Amsterdam in different symbols and colors. The weather symbol shown on their Amsterdam five-day weather forecast generally represents the predominant weather expected on the day in question. Note that the result presented on their weather forecast is calculated based on a weighting of different types of weather, so if a day is forecast to be sunny with the possibility of a brief shower, then you will see a sunny or partly cloudy symbol instead of a rain cloud.



And, from the Amsterdam weather forecast made by BBC, it is clearly shown that the speed and direction of the wind are the expected condition at midday in the city.

Amsterdam Vacation

Opting for a vacation in the greatly planned city of Amsterdam, Netherlands? Before flying to Amsterdam for your Amsterdam vacation, it is interesting to know first the basic facts about the city. It's pretty good to get a background of Amsterdam before spending a vacation there, isn't it? Well, for those who are currently planning or thinking for an Amsterdam vacation, or those who wish to know more about Amsterdam, here are facts below.



Amsterdam is actually a compact and instantly likeable city in Europe. As claimed by many of those who have been there for an Amsterdam vacation, the city is very appealing to look at and pleasing to walk around. It is a city where the parochial and international behaviors meet, and it is where you will feel a welcoming attitude towards visitors. This kind of behavior we known about Amsterdam was said to be shaped by the liberal counterculture it embraces since the last four decades.



Majority of the people of Amsterdam is able to speak English fluently. Some know how to speak German and French, but it is highly considered that if you are an English speaker, it is better to speak in English than in French and German as speaking the two languages is more likely to offend than do anyone a favor.



The layout of the city of Amsterdam is generally determined by a web of canals radiating out from a historical core to loop right round the center. As many of the Amsterdam vacation resources have noted, these planned, seventeenth century extensions to the medieval town make for a distinctly elegant urban environment. This is further shown by the presence of tall gabled house that are reflected in the black green waters of the city.



It is then nice to know that many of the Amsterdam vacationers have deemed the city as the city at its most beguiling, that is, a world away from the traffic and noise of a number of many other European city centers. It is these facts actually that made Amsterdam one of Europe's most popular short-haul destinations.



Before your Amsterdam vacation, it is interesting to know that there is actually an apparent contradiction to the positive aspects of the city, and this embodies much of the spirit of Amsterdam. Many of those Amsterdam vacationers who have strolled the city for a long time may know that Amsterdam is worldly known as a place where the possession and sale of cannabis are effectively legal, or at least decriminalized. For the most part, people of Amsterdam themselves can't really be bothered with this stuff.



Also, while the city is renowned throughout the world for its tolerance towards all styles of behavior and dress, a primmer with a more mainstream dress sense would be hard to find. And, as many of the Amsterdam vacationers have known, behind the cozy cafes and dreamy canals lurks the suspicion that the Amsterdammers' hearts lie squarely in their wallets, and while the new Amsterdam vacationers see the city as a liberal haven, locals can seem just as indifferent to this as well.

Amsterdam Travel: Getting Around

So you are thinking for a travel to Amsterdam. Well, before you opt for a travel, I guess it is nice for you to know first some of the basic facts about Amsterdam, especially the mode of transportation. It is best that you know how to get there and how to get around for an ultimate Amsterdam travel.



Getting There



Amsterdam is actually accessible by air, by bus or by train, depending on your exact location.



By Air:



Note that when you go for your Amsterdam travel by air, the flights to the city usually arrive in the Schiphol Airportm, which is approximately 18 kilometers away, southwest of the city center. From the Schiphol airport, the trains typically leave for Central Station every 20 minutes and so the journey takes 20 minutes. Then, from the Central Station, you'll get to have a taxi ride to town which takes approximately 15 minutes and the journey will cost you approximately €30. However, the cost actually depends on which part of the town you are going to.



Also important to consider when you prefer to take your Amsterdam travel by air is that some budget airlines are starting to fly to Rotterdam Airport, which is approximately one hour from the city via bus.



By Train:



As mentioned earlier, you can take your Amsterdam travel by train as there are domestic and international trains that travel going to Amsterdam. They typically arrive in the Centraal Station, which is located in the heart Amsterdam's city center.



By Bus:



The buses arriving and leaving from the city of Amsterdam do so from Amstel Station. This station is actually linked to Centraal Station by metro. And, the buses leaving for London, Brussels, and Amsterdam's other cities depart from the Amstel Station.



Getting Around



On your Amsterdam travel, note that you can stroll around the city on foot, by bike, by tram, or by bus or metro, as these are the usual mode of transportation around the city.



On Foot:



Actually, the central part of Amsterdam city is just easy to get around. However, most of what is within apart from the Red Light District and Dam Square, most of what there is to see is a short tram or bike ride away.



By Bike:



Here is a great tip for your Amsterdam travel: the best way to see the entire city of Amsterdam is to travel by bike. Today, there are more than 500,000 bikes in the city. As such, you can hire one of them for a small fee per day. Perhaps the most important thing to consider is to lock your bike, as bike theft is a huge problem in Amsterdam.



By Bus/Metro:



Both the tram and metro are useful for your ultimate Amsterdam travel. These are highly useful if you are traveling outskirts, but otherwise you probably won't need to use them. In Amsterdam, there are two metro stations, at the Nieuwmarkt and Waterlooplein, while the bus stops are not as sparse.



By Tram:



Finally, you can take your Amsterdam travel by tram, the most important mode of public transport in the Dutch capital. In the city, there are 15 different lines and they are the backbone of the city's public transport network. Just note that the best tram for your Amsterdam travel is No.20, which stops close to most of the tourist attractions.

Amsterdam Tour

When we talk about Amsterdam, Netherlands, it is very hard not to imagine misty cafes and scantily clothed women moving provocatively in windows with red lights. Many of the travelers from across the world return to this ultimate city of "sin" because of these sights alone. Most of them are busting with tales of the unexpected and if you get chances to visit the place, I'm sure that you will also create your own tales to tell.



Well, Amsterdam is not just about sex and drugs; it has all the great things that Mother Earth has to offer. The Netherlands has in fact that most amount of great museums per square foot than anywhere else in the world. If you take a tram ride 10 minutes from the heart of the city, you can overwhelm yourself with those narrow streets occupied with nothing else other than the cyclist and a car every now and then. The city is in fact so quite, but interesting.



Things to See in Amsterdam



The greatly planned city of Amsterdam is one of the few cities in the world where the people, the streets and the atmosphere are an attraction in themselves. It is in fact well-known throughout the world as the sole city where marijuana and hashish are sold legally. And, the worldly known Red Light District is just as much an attraction as a favorite hub for young men full of testosterone to go at night.



But as mentioned earlier, there is far much more to the city than drugs and prostitutes or sex. The city has long been considered as the "Venice of the North" because it was built on a cobweb of canals. You can greatly see most of the city from a canal boat, and from there you'll surely appreciate the unique architecture that Amsterdam has long been proud to offer.



Furthermore, Amsterdam is heaving with a culture. It has a lot of great museums and libraries. Of all the interesting museums in the city of Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank Museum and Van Gogh Museums are names not to be missed.



Where to Eat



When you stroll around in the city of Amsterdam, you'll surely find a high volume of restaurants. As commonly noted, you can see sandwich boards in front of the many restaurants advertising their daily specials and from a minute walk down the Damrak, the street facing Central Station, there are some neon lights saying "pizza".



If you delver further into the city, you can find the Damstraat, the street on Dam Square, also peppered with eateries. Further down again towards Leidseplen, the Leidsekruisstraat and Leidsetraat have their good share of restaurants too. It is necessary to note however that the streets mentioned earlier are located in some of the city's most touristy areas. So, if you wish to steer clear of such commercial centers, you have the chance to visit the Jordaan as some of the city's coolest restaurants are found there.



In case you prefer to eat out in a restaurant beyond your budget during your tour, there are also some fast food outlets all over Amsterdam where you can get pizzas, chips or kebabs. However, just be careful when asking for mayonnaise on your French fries for they will be completely drowned.

Amsterdam Live Music Hotspots

Amsterdam is not only well-known throughout the world for their unique way of accepting pornography, soft drugs and prostitution, but also for their music and entertainment. There is actually a number of Amsterdam live music and entertainment centers today; all of them cater to the personal needs of every customer. Now, if you want to know them by name, by location or by service, then this is the right page for you to consider.



Below is a list of the most acclaimed Amsterdam live music hot spots worthy of visit:



Paradiso



Paradiso has long been considered by many as the great place to go if you want to dance the night away or to catch a live act. Actually, this place used to be a church and is not a great club. It features great dance nights where you can see a lot of great performers, although in a much smaller venue. Outside of Amsterdam live music, Paradiso hosts a number of different multimedia events.



Jazz Cafee Alto



Do you love jazz? If so, then the Jazz Cafee Alto is the ultimate place to go for Amsterdam live music. This center is actually the oldest Jazz Cafees in the great planned city of Amsterdam, and for many, this is probably the best among the bests. Just like Paradiso, this Amsterdam live music hot spot is not too large, but very popular. As a place for Amsterdam live music, Jazz Cafee Alto hosts great live jam sessions every week. Hans Dulfer and band of PAtric Sedoc are typically live here. And, perhaps what is nice about this venue is that there is no entrance fee, so you just go there and check their live music out.



Boom Chicago



As commonly noted, Boom Chicago is an Amsterdam institution that performs all over the world. They are acclaimed for their comedy shows with a mixture of good writing, quick thinking and high production values. What's more, this center for Amsterdam live music creates tailored performances for corporate events as well as special events. And, if not in Boom Chicago itself, the band is often present at the 300-seat Leidseplein Theater where they perform almost every night. If you really want to enjoy their music and jokes, then come early and enjoy their music while enjoying with shaken cocktails.



Bimhuis



Here is another great Amsterdam live music center for jazz junkies - the Bimhuis. This spot has long been considered by many as the greatest jazz house in town. It caters live performances regularly, and there is no dress code here. Just come as you are and feel like any jazz lover.



Kashmir Lounge



Although a local coffee shop, Kashmir Lounge had drawn hundreds of tourists and locals alike. Many have discovered this Amsterdam live music hot spot and come back to this place for its laid back atmosphere, full bar and large seating spaces. This is known as another great place to visit for Amsterdam live music as Kashmir Lounge provides a DJ every night from 9pm until closing. Every Sunday, the party starts at 4pm with a DJ and free snacks. The accepted dress code here is casual.

Amsterdam Hotels

Called by many as Holland, the city of Amsterdam is the most visited center in the Netherlands. Recent statistics have shown that more than 3.5 million tourists are coming to visit Amsterdam per year. This popularity stemmed from its being a city of tolerance and diversity with all the advantages of a big city, be it culture, entertainment, international restaurants, good transport, and great hotels.



Speaking of hotels, many of the Amsterdam hotels offer the best accommodation, dining and entertainment. Many of the Amsterdam hotels offers discounts for those who wish to spend their holidays in the city. They usually feature up to 75 percent discount in their standard rates. However, it is important to note that Amsterdam is a busy place during weekends, especially during the high season. Thus, it is best that you book your Amsterdam hotel well in advance.



Here is a short list of the most preferred hotels in Amsterdam.



Lloyd Hotel Amsterdam - This hub currently has the most media coverage of all the Amsterdam hotels. It is very well situated, being nearer to the center of the city, with direct public transport connections. The place also has an easy access from the ring-road and from the rooms, lovely views over the fashionable Docklands areas are to be had.



In addition, Lloyd Hotel Amsterdam has parking facilities of its own in a parking garage. It also has restaurants, a bar, a soundproof music room, a library and even a "corner" shop. It offers 116 rooms, ranging from one to five stars, and it is these rooms which offer a different experience to its visitors. What's more, the rooms in this Amsterdam hotel are beautifully finished with the most exciting Dutch designs in the interior of the rooms. All guests can also enjoy a free high speed internet access, other than satellite television with a unique selection of channels.



Piet Hein Hotel Amsterdam - Unlike Lloyd Hotel, the hotel Piet Hein offers you a pleasant nautical atmosphere. It is situated at the Vondelpark in the heart of Amsterdam, only steps away from the Van Gogh museum, Rijksmuseum, the Modern Art museum, and the lively Leidseplein with casino. As you may have noticed, this Amsterdam hotel is actually located at a beautiful spot in the Museum Quarter. You can also enjoy and relax at the open air concerts in the summer, as the Concertgebouw is just within walking distance from this Amsterdam hotel.



The Quentin Hotel Amsterdam - Located in the core of Amsterdam nightlife, The Quentin is known for her unique atmosphere. It hosts throughout the year a number of the city's young music bands on a regular basis. It is also five minutes walk away from the beautiful Musuemplein, the home of the Rijksmuseum, with the most important collection of Dutch old masters, sculptures, prints and antique furniture. The Quentin Amsterdam hotel is also steps away from the Van Gogh Museum that hosts shows with more than 200 of the artist prime works as well as contemporary artists.



The colorful Flowers Market, as well as the Waterlooplein flea market are all within a walking distance and can be easily reached from the hotel.