Travel

Amsterdam Leidseplein, canals, streets, parks, Netherlands

Amsterdam's Leidseplein is the main square that we will be having a close look at in the program. We'll also drop in on the biggest park in the city for a little peaceful tranquility. Leidseplein is such a very special place with all of these outdoor tables surrounded by bars and restaurants, with that tramline running right through it. It's especially busy in the evening with cinemas, discos, theaters and a casino located nearby. You also find two very famous rock 'n' roll nightclubs the Milky Way and Paradiso. The streets that wrap around the square keep going for several blocks, extending that festive atmosphere with more bars and restaurants. Leidsestraat is the main street running alongside Leidseplein and extends further into the heart of the city. Starting at the big canals, then moving on to Leidseplein and to that park. It's a cross-section slice of Amsterdam for you. Canals are the heart and arteries of the city. The perfect setting for waterside cafés and recreational boating. The tram system is another network tying the city together and making it so easy to get around town. Okay, let's pull up a chair, get a beer and drop anchor at the Leidseplein the most popular central gathering place in the city. This Vondelpark is less than 300 meters away from Leidseplein so you can easily walk over here in a couple of minutes, and yet many visitors don't even know it's there because they're so busy at Leidseplein and all of those fascinating streets. There's an information booth here where you can talk to the local expert and learn something about the park. Now you are in the Vondelpark. Vondelpark was opened in 1865. Vondel was a poet in the 17th century. There are many statues and many benches where you can sit and enjoy the place, and looking for beautiful people. That's very nice in the park, yes. While most visitors come to Amsterdam for the excitement of the city, it's nice to get away into a more peaceful and relaxing atmosphere for a change of pace. Of course, Amsterdam is world-famous for its bicycle culture, with nearly 60 percent of the local population over the age of 12 riding a bicycle every day. The streets are designed to give priority to bicycles, with nearly 800 kilometers of cycle paths and bike lanes in the city. Take a look at the wonderful diversity of people on the bicycles. It's all ages, and different kinds of income levels, with 900,000 bicycles in the city. Nearly everybody rides a bike. http://tourvideos.com/