About Amsterdam

The capital of the Netherlands is easy to reach from Hotel Akersloot by car of public transport and therefore it is the ideal day trip. This metropole is very versatile!

A beautiful historic city with lots of monuments and enless cultural possibilities. The canals with houseboats, wonderful canal houses and cosy bars and restaurant give this city its unique character.

Amsterdam knows a lot of famous spots such as the Wallen, the most famous red light districht, the cosy Albert Cuyp market, the green Vondelparc, the zoo Artis and the exclusive shopping street P.C. Hooftstraat. A visit to the Rijksmuseum, with a great collection of pieces from famous Dutch paintors is definetely worth it.

Shopping in Amsterdam
With everything from multi-storey department stores and exclusive boutiques to antiques and contemporary Dutch design, Amsterdam inspires even the most discerning shopper.

The two main shopping streets in Amsterdam's city centre are the Kalverstraat and the Leidsestraat. Of the two, the Leidsestraat has the more exclusive shops. The Kalverstraat is home to all the shops you would expect to find in a large European city.

Located in the heart of the city's historic canal district, this area of nine narrow streets called the Negen Straatjes was constructed during the 17th century. The Nine Streets intersect the main canals between the Leidsestraat and the Jordaan district, and are dotted with great restaurants, cafés,art galleries, jewellers, boutiques andvintage stores. With an exceptional array of styles, trends and prices, this area is truly a shopper's paradise.

Antiques and art
Following the construction of theRijksmuseumin 1900, the Spiegelkwartier emerged as Amsterdam's centre for antiques and art. More than 70 antique shops and galleries in this area boast impressive collections of paintings, ceramics, glass, jewellery, furniture, tribal and Asian collectibles. Whether centuries old or completely modern, you're bound to find something here that strikes your fancy.

Opening hours shops
Shops in Amsterdam are open every day of the week, but hours vary. Opening times may differ slightly per shop and district, but here are some general guidelines:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 09:00 - 18:00
Thursday: 09:00 - 21:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00
Sunday: 12:00 - 17:00.

About Alkmaar

Alkmaar is a versatile city located at 10 minutes from the hotel. It is known as the cheese city of the Netherlands!

Alkmaar is perfect for a day trip. It has got history, culture and a lot of shops. Something you can not miss is the famous cheese market that is held every Friday from April until September.

In spring and summer lots of events are organised in the city

Alkmaar is a versatile city located at only 10 minutes from the hotel. It is world famous as the cheese city but it has got a lot more to offer! It is also located close to the coast.

Shopping, drinks or a museum?
A day of shopping?Alkmaar is one of the 3 best shopping cities of the Netherlands. Besides some large department store it also offers lots of small boutiques and special stores.

For food lovers the city also has got a lot to offer with its many restaurants. It offers a wide range of restaurant varying from Japanese to French and from grand cafe to luxurious restaurant.

Alkmaar also offer lots of history and culture. It has got theatres, cinemas and museums. The Dutch cheese museum, the Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar, the Beer museum and the Beatles museum. The stedelijk museum is recently renovated and has started an impressive exhibition 'The golden century of Alkmaar'.

Hiking between the monuments
Alkmaar is historic, with more than 1000 monuments. Come and enjoy a hiking tour through the city. A route is available at the Tourist Information Office. The route takes you past the most beautiful places of Alkmaar. For children a treasure hunt is set out.

Art and Culture in Haarlem

Haarlem has always been known as the city of art and culture and it still is!

The stages of Haarlem: Stadsschouwburg Haarlem, Philharmonie, Toneelschuur en Patronaat offers lots of variety in drama, dance, movies and music.

In the Frans Hals museum you will find art from the golden century with pieces from famous Dutch paintors such as, Frans Hals, Jacob van Ruisdael and Pieter Saenredam. In 2013 Haarlem celebrates the 100th anniversary of the museum. In the Teylers Museum, the first and eldest museum of the Netherlands (1784),you will travel back to the 18th century. This museum has been put on to the UNESCO list in 2011. The Dolhuys gives visitors an insight in the history of the psyciatry.

But there is more: The Hallen Haarlem is a museam for modern art and the ABC centre of Architecture is for those who are interested in architecture. For art lovers the city also offers a lot of galeries.

Schiphol

Our hotel is centrally located, close by the international airport Schiphol Amsterdam and easy to reach by car of public transport.

Vanaf het panoramadek op Schiphol heeft een een fantastisch uitzicht over de verschillende vliegtuigen. Voor een bezoek aan de luchthaven kunt u onze shuttlebus gebruiken. In combinatie met een bezoekje aan Amsterdam is dit een geweldig uitje voor de kinderen.

Cheese museum

Around the world Alkmaar is known as thé cheese city.

The cheese market of Alkmaar is a tradition since 1593. Every friday morning from April until September you are welcomed to enjoy this event from 10.00 until 12.00 hours.

Situated and the Waag square, in the centre of Alkmaar, you will find the historic Waag Building. In this historic buidling the Dutch cheese museum is situated. This museum shows the making of dairy through the ages and gives an idea of the life on the countryside.

In its collection it has got: historic articles of use, movies and pictures and paintings. For children this museum is also a lot of fun, with a special treasure hunt they can get to know themuseum.

About Haarlem

The car free, momumental centre has got lots of shops, with boutiques , antiques shops and other special shops. In the large shopping streets you will find the famous department stores. This versatility has given Haarlem the title of 'Best shopping city of the Netherlands'.

Haarlem is one of the most beautiful old cities of the Netherlands. Is is a cosy city with ca. 150.000 inhabitants. From far you can see the tower of the Sint Bavo church.

Haarlem is situated alongside the river het Spaarne and has got a monumental centre with lots of highlights such as the Frans Hals Museum and Teylers Museum.

In the centre you will find a great variety of bars and restaurants. Besides large department stores you can also find small and special boutiques.

Shopping in Haarlem
For shopping lovers, Haarlem is like heaven on earth. The city was rewarded the 'Best shopping city of the Netherlands'. It has got some famous shopping streets with large department store and also some small streets with boutiques and special stores.

Art and Culture
Haarlem has always been known as a city with lots of art and culture, and it still is! The theatres offer a wide range of shows with dance, music, drama and movies.
In the Frans Hals Museum you can find a lot of art from the golden century. In the Teylers Museum, the first and eldest museum of the Netherlands (1784),you will travel back to the 18th century. This museum has been put on to the UNESCO list in 2011. The Dolhuys gives visitors an insight in the history of the psyciatry. For art lovers the city also offers a lot of galeries.

Art and culture in Amsterdam

What makes Amsterdam so popular.
Could it be the canals, the rich history of the city, the culture, the restaurants and bars, the shops or the wonderful parcs? In the liberal Amsterdam race, religion or sexual orientation do not matter.

Must sees!
Famous museum such as thehet Rijksmuseum,Anne Frankhuis andHermitage Amsterdam; outspoken districts as the cosy Jordaan, the diverse centre and the posh Oud-Zuid. What to do? Take a boat trip on the canals, discover the city by bicycle or enjoy a sunny terrace. The city offers endless possibilities.

City parcs
Start the day like the locals. Buy some fresh products at the biological Noordermarktin theJordaan, go shopping in the9 straatjesand enjoy lunch in one of the many restaurants. Ready for a break? Relax in the grass of one of the city parcs. The most famous is theVondelpark;the place to be for joggers, sun lovers, sports men, skaters and artists.TheOosterparkis very populer among families, who come and enjoy picknicks. Childern can swim in the public pool.

Festivals
Amsterdam organizes a lot of festivals, especially in summer there is always a festival to visit!. For example:thetheaterfestival De Parade; the world famousQueensday; dance-eventSensation; and theGay Pride.