Get your Skates on for Some Winter Fun

If you’re looking for a short break this winter how about Amsterdam? If you take the car ferry to Franceyou can drive down through Belgium and into Holland. Look on the map and you’ll see it’s really not that far.

Belgian chocolates to name but one! The important thing is to ensure you leave enough room in the car. Of course when you take a car ferrythere are no baggage restrictions so you can buy as much as you like.

So, what about ice skating? The places to head for are Museumplein, Leidseplein,Westergasfabriek,Thorbeckeplein, which is near Rembrandtplein and just down from Dam Square, Beursplein. You’ll be able to hire your skates at a typical cost of €5 and enjoy some Dutch delicacies such as poffertjes, delicious mini pancakes. There’s no entrance charge at most of these rinks.

The ice rink at Museumplein is open from December through March and is located at a great spot on Museum Square next to the Rijksmuseum. There’s no charge and it truly is a wonderful sight, especially in the evening when it’s illuminated with Christmas lights. There’s a caféfor drinks and snacks, try the and hot chocolate with whipped cream,and of course the Rijksmuseum should definitely be part of your day out in this lovely, fun and vibrant city. There are some great works of art on display here from artists such as Rembrandt and Vincent Van Gogh. The museum has undergone massive refurbishment which took 10 years to complete, reopening in April 2013.

Another rink can be found at Leidseplein, which is central to a large number of restaurants and cafés close to the Stadsschouwburg theatre. Again, you can hire your skates here, the rink being open from 10.00am to 11.00pm every day. There’s an entrance fee of €2.50 and skate hire costs €5. Apart from the lovely Dutch pancakes there are stalls selling Oliebollen, which are doughnut balls, waffles and braadworst, the equivalent of the English hotdog.

The Jaap Eden Baan rink is open from October through March but is used by serious skaters so you’ll find more speed skaters here. Jaap Eden Ijsbaan was a Dutch world ice skating champion.

Finally, Amsterdam is a city surrounded by canals, and in the winter when they freeze over the locals will literally get their skates on and take to the canals. Even if you don’t get to do this yourself it’s a magical sight brought to life by the sound of classical music. Small kiosks sell liqueurs and winter warming food and drinks.

So, for a great winter break find a cheap ferry to Franceand drive from the car ferryterminal at Calais down to this lovely city.