Amsterdam Canal House Self Catering Apartments

Noted for its canals and bridges, Amsterdam, in North Holland, is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, and one of the major tourist destinations in the Netherlands. One of the most unique things about Amsterdam are the many 17th century buildings, or canal houses which line the 4 major canals and offer comfortable accommodations to the weary traveler.

These canal houses, or merchant houses, were usually built as residences for wealthy citizens. Even though these heritage houses have been modernized inside during and since the 18th century, most of them still retain their old charm on the exterior. Today, the visitor to Amsterdam, can experience the city as a local, by staying in one of the many self catering apartments, that are found in these historic homes.

Imagine being able to enjoy sensational views of the canal from your home, and then step out of your door and stroll just a few paces to the famous Jordaan district of Amsterdam with its cafés, restaurants and hundreds of quaint boutiques for you to explore. One such place is called the Bosch apartment. This one is actually an entire canal house with four full floors and an outdoor patio area. The house has two bedrooms and will accommodation four people, which makes it very affordable if shared by two couples or a family.

Another is The Nostalgic Apartment, charmingly reminiscent of days gone by and located on the Runstraat, one of the famous “Nine Little Streets” well known for color and character, brimming with specialty shops, boutiques, cafés and restaurants, all contributing to a lively nightlife.

Located in the Herengracht Canal House, is another holiday apartment called The Van Gogh. This lovely apartment features many unique amenities including a window seat overlooking the canal, a large modern open shower, and a spacious airy living room with two sleep sofas. The best part is that you will be within walking distance to the multitude of museums and galleries, which make Amsterdam a history and art lover’s dream. View masterpieces at the world famous Rifksmuseum, which houses the world’s largest collection of paintings by Dutch masters such as Rembrandt or visit the Van Gogh Museum or the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, or Nemo, a fascinating science museum. Also pay a visit to the Anne Frank House, where Anne Frank and seven other Jews spent two years in hiding, as related in her famous diary.

The Rembrandt, is in a gorgeous, historic canal house built in 1650 in one of the most picturesque locations in Amsterdam.
Formerly the home of the Amsterdam Society for Historic Restoration, it is located on the famous Herengracht Canal. A leisurely stroll will take you to Dam Square and many museums, as well as the well known Jordaan district.
The Rembrandt occupies the top three floors of the canal house and has three bedrooms with charming built-in cabinetry.

So consider choosing a self catering canal apartment during your stay in the historic city of Amsterdam. Advantages are many especially if compared to hotel accommodations. Most canal apartments can accommodate at least 4 people so it gives you the opportunity to share expenses with family and friends. It also allows you to choose to stay home and eat in, after a long, wonderful day of sight seeing. Imagine staying in a historic canal house in your own comfortable home away from home. You will never forget your Amsterdam vacation!

If you have stayed in a canal house in Amsterdam, we would love to hear your experiences so please leave a comment.

Bed and Breakfast for Your Next Vacation

Everyone has heard the term Bed and Breakfast, but how many people know the origin of this increasingly popular form of accommodation? In actual fact this practice has existed in some form or another since the beginning of man, when monasteries used to offer rooms to weary travellers.

In Europe prior to the 20th century, country travellers would often spend the night in a private home rather than stay in an inn or hotel. Since there was still a class distinction in those days, it was protocal that bed and breakfast accommodations were only offered to someone with the same social rank. For example a doctor, would stay with a doctor or pharmacist, and a nobleman with other local gentry.

North America also has a history of bed and breakfast, dating to the time of the early settlers, when pioneers sought a safe refuge as they travelled across the country. In the Great Depression it was common for people to open their homes to traveller as a means to make some extra money. In Australia, bed and breakfast is often synonomous with the the term "farm stay", where travellers can actually rent a room in a house located on a working farm.

Today bed and breakfast is offered around the world and often the guest rooms are located in older historic homes which have been renovated and decorated with antique furniture.

In England and other European countries bed and breakfasts are often in converted farm houses, in the countryside. Read Converted Farmhouse Holiday Rental in France.

Bed and Breakfast offers a safe, pleasant, low cost stay and is fast becoming one of the most popular choices for vacation accommodations throughout the world. Those who prefer to stay in a bed and breakfast instead of a hotel, are often attracted by the recreational, cultural or historical amenities of the area, which in many cases may be "off the beaten path" away from the city hotels.

Imagine if you will. Upon arriving at your destination, you are greeted warmly by the owner and treated almost like an old friend. You are immediately helped from your car and brought indoors to meet your hosts and tour their home.
No looking all over town to have breakfast, because your hosts have prepared a beautifully presented and sumptuous breakfast for you and your family.

Travellers who choose bed and breakfast for their vacation accommodations say that they have met and made so many friends and acquaintances during their wonderful stays at bed and breakfast inns worldwide.

It is becoming the best way to holiday for thousands of tourists, and is growing in popularity by leaps and bounds.

Bed and Breakfast Worldwide