Amsterdam

The Stedelijk Museum is set to re-open its doors to the public in Spring 2010. Extensive renovation work is being carried out to increase the space for the collection housed in this must-see museum for contemporary art and design. The Museumplein venue is

The old centre of Amsterdam was formed by rings of canals that were separated by mostly 17th Century residences of wealthy businessmen who made their money in the Dutch Golden Age. Tours are offered to people wishing to experience the architecture, interiors, and gardens of these unique and magnificent canal houses. From neo-Louis XVI ballrooms to 18th Century garden rooms; this site is a unique opportunity for architecture students whilst in Amsterdam.

Close to the Oosterdock, the Architecture Centre Amsterdam is a unique building, containing information and exhibits on other unique, historical and watershed buildings built and inspired by far-flung locations.

Designed by government architect C.H. Peters, the Central Post Office is built in a mixture of neo-Gothic and neo-renaissance styles. The Dutch Post Office moved out of the building in 1987 and after large scale renovations and engineering work, it reopened in 1992 as the Magna Plaza shopping mall. With a brick exterior that contrasts rich profiled frames of windows and doors, and a central hall with two floors of galleries, this monumental building is a towering example of neo-styles ? an excellent study site for architecture students whilst in Amsterdam.

The Rijksmuseum is a Dutch national museum in Amsterdam, located on the Museumplein. Although founded in 1800, the Rijksmuseum moved to its current building after a competition for its design was held in 1863. No design was deemed good enough. Then in 1876 a second competition was held and was won by Pierre Cuypers who came second in the original competition. A combination of gothic and renaissance elements complements references to Dutch art history inside and out. This architectural mish-mash of styles is truly unique, beautiful and is a must-see for any student studying architecture in Amsterdam.

Situated along the picturesque Singel canal, the bloemenmarkt attracts horticulturalists from all over the world. The stunning array of dried flowers, bouquets, bulbs, bonsai, fresh flowers and gardening equipment give an indication of why it is so popular. Set amongst moored barges, and open from 8am to 5.30pm, this honey pot for all things green gives the perfect opportunity for students to experience and enjoy one of the most unique locations for studying horticulture.

The Stadsschouwburg is Amsterdam's municipal theatre - an impressive baroque building. Generally contemporary national and international theatre, dance and music productions are staged here. As well as admiring the impressive baroque style architecture, students can also go on guided tours through the Stadsschouwburg while in Amsterdam. The tour encompasses the architecture, history and rooms within the building.

Jacob Otten's masterpiece of Dutch classicism Felix Meritis was built as a physical representation of, and a space for, people to experience the Dutch Enlightenment. With colossal Corinthian pilasters and an oval concert hall renowned for its acoustics, this recently resorted building also offers architecture students the opportunity to experience a building that offers such a rich cultural, political and social past.

Due to its highly regarded acoustics, the Concertgebouw is considered one of the finest concert halls in the world. Designed by Adolf Leonard van Gendt the Concertgebouw's style was inspired by the Neue Gewandhaus in Leipzig. After 5 years of construction, the hall opened in 1888. With the Great Hall that seats over 2000 people, this truly impressive feat of architecture and acoustics makes it a worthwhile visit for any architecture students in Amsterdam.

With urban migration at a high at the end of second industrial revolution in late 19th Century Holland, more urban space was needed. After some minor changes, the Amsterdam City Council passed architect Hendrik Berlage's plans, entitled 'Plan Zuid' in 1917. Seen by many as the father of modern Dutch Architecture, his plans marked a stark contrast to the other neighbourhoods nearby. Berlage's plan envisioned wide stately streets with smaller side streets, a lot of squares and open spaces and even more greenery. Privately owned houses were a thing of the past, since his plan envisioned large housing blocks ? of which many were designed by another renowned architect Michel de Klerk in an art-deco style. Perfect for architecture students and urban planners, this unique slice of Amsterdam is a must-see.

Originally designed as a commodities exchange by Hendrick Petrus Berlage, this watershed building in Dutch architecture sparked the beginning of the modernist movement in the Netherlands. Berlage designed the building with the mantra of 'rejecting the styles of the past' and this red brick building is a pertinent study site for any architecture student in Amsterdam.

Designed by the prodigy of the Amsterdam School movement Michel de Klerk, Het Schip is located in the Amsterdam district of Spaarndammerbuurt. One of the few of de Klerk's designs actually built, the building was designed in 1919 and contains 102 homes for the working class, a small meeting hall and a post office which, as of 2001, is the museum of the Amsterdam School. This highly unusual and unique monument to expressionist architecture is a great study site for students in Amsterdam.

The Concrete Village in Amsterdam's east district is one of the finest examples of functionalism, influenced by the Amsterdam School style. Built between 1923 and 1925, it was an experiment in the use of concrete to create low-cost housing after the price of bricks rose rapidly after world war one. Ten different systems of concrete were used and the urban plan, implemented by January Gratama was based on the garden city idea. Its unusual format and aesthetic make it a must see for architecture students in Amsterdam.

Opened in 1973, the Van Gogh Museum houses the largest collection of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings in the world. Designed by Gerrit Rietveld, it was opened in 1973 and the exhibition wing was designed by Kisho Kurokawa which was completed in 1999. Rietveld was one of the principal members of the De Stijl art movement and designed the Van Gogh museum back in 1934 when he had broken from the De Stijl movement and associated himself with the Nieuwe Bouwen style of architecture. This building offers architecture students a perfect example of one of the schools of Dutch modernism.

The Netherlands Media Art Institute has set the goal for itself of promoting the wide development, application, distribution of, and reflection on new technologies in the visual arts. The Institute supports media art in three core areas: presentation, research and conservation, and through its facilities provides extensive services for artists and art institutions. The Institute has also developed structural educational programs for its three core areas. These offer a varied selection of activities for different target audiences, such as the general public, secondary schools, professional art education and specialists (artists, art historians and curators). The programs consist of workshops, expert meetings, awards, lectures, activities on the internet and internships.

The house where Rembrandt lived between 1639 and 1658 is now a museum offering guided tours and the opportunity for art students to study the life and works of one of the most famous painters in history. The collection as it now stands provides an almost complete overview of Rembrandt's graphic work with 260 of the 290 etchings he made on show. Accompanying this are Rembrandt paintings, and other works by his students and teachers. The house has been restored to replicate how it would have been when Rembrandt lived there and offers students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the life and works of one of the most important artists of the Dutch Golden Age.

The Stedelijk Museum is set to re-open its doors to the public in Spring 2010. Extensive renovation work is being carried out to increase the space for the collection housed in this must-see museum for contemporary art and design. The Museumplein venue is closed for renovation works - including the building of a new wing called 'the bathtub' -, scheduled to end in December 2009. Until October 2008, the Stedelijk had been temporarily relocated to a former postal building just east of the Central Station. Now, an initiative called Stedelijk Goes to Town is ongoing: the museum is organising exhibitions, projects, workshops and other activities throughout Amsterdam. Also, some temporary exhibitions are held in the new wing of the Van Gogh Museum.

The Rijksmuseum, a Dutch national museum in Amsterdam, located on the Museumplein, is dedicated to arts, crafts, and history. Founded in 1800, the Rijksmuseum features some of the most celebrated art in the Netherlands; it has a large collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, including Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer, and Rembrandt. The museum also houses a substantial collection of Asian art.

With the Netherlands producing around 70% of all the world's flowers, and with Aalsameer as arguably the world's biggest flower auction, this is a great study site for business students to see such an important auction take place. A visit before 9 am is recommended to see the auction at its best, with a gallery six metres above the auction floor offering students a birds eye view of how the whole auction process works.

The Amsterdam Stock Exchange is considered the oldest stock exchange in the world. Established in 1602, it was merged with the Brussels Stock Exchange and the Paris Bourse to create Euronext on 22nd September 2000. The Amsterdam stock exchange is now part of the 5th largest exchange on the planet, and is perfect for business and economics students to learn about the hustle and bustle world of finance. They can attend lectures on options and equities at Euronext and students can also observe the option exchange from the balcony and see how the stock exchange works.

Grolsch is one of the Netherlands oldest businesses dating back to 1615. The brewery tour gives business students the opportunity to learn from Grolsch's combination of old-fashioned skill with new innovative techniques in the production process from the raw material, right up to the finished product. The tour includes complimentary tea and coffee, a short film about Grolsch and a guided tour around the brewery which includes the mouth-watering prospect of a tasting at the end.

Located in Amsterdam, the Heineken Experience is a historic brewery that now educates the public and students on the process of production and marketing of the Heineken brand. Perfect for business students, this study site offers everything from the history of the business, product exploration and sampling, to participatory interactive exhibits which employ the latest high-tech mutli-media technology for the Playstation generation. In addition to the guided tour there can be the opportunity to hear from a member of the Heineken staff on how it markets its product.

Established in 1653, the Royal Delftware Factory is an excellent study site for business students who wish to learn more about the manufacturing process of one of the longest running products in Holland. Guided tours of the factory show the process of the hand-painted Delftware in production, an audiovisual presentation, a painting demonstration, and a visit to the museum. Located in the historic town of Delft, this factory offers an informative educational experience for students who want to learn more about the manufacturing and marketing processes of successful products.

Founded in 1946, the Film museum is the only cinematography museum in the Netherlands, holding an internationally renowned collection of more than 30,000 films. Offering educational projects, the film museum also holds around 1,900 periodicals and 30,000 books. This unique and well organised study site will move to a new location over the river in Amsterdam sometime in 2011, and will still offer media and film students an invaluable opportunity to explore a rich heritage of Dutch, European and American cinema.

With a goal to promote the development, application, reflection and distribution of new technology in the visual arts, the Netherlands Media Art Institute offers a fascinating and truly unique opportunity for film and media students. Supporting media art in the three core areas of presentation, research, and conservation, the institute also offers educational programmes and services for artists and art institutes.

The Historical Museum showcases Amsterdam's 800 year existence, from the Middle Ages to the present time. Exhibitions include paintings, models, archaeological findings, photographs, an environmentally friendly vehicle from the 1960's, and a real Jordan cafe. The museum is engaging and illuminating, doing justice to Amsterdam's rich history in an informative, creative and quirky way.

Camp Westerbork, established in 1942 for the temporary holding of Dutch Jews and others, became a halfway house for those prisoners who were to be killed by the Nazis. Now with a museum incorporated, the camp offers students the opportunity to learn about the persecution of Jews and others through original photographs, documents, drawings, paintings, images, maps, and original artefacts from Westerbork itself.

Recently reopened after a seven-year renovation, the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam is dedicated to preserving and displaying items pertinent to Jewish history, culture and religion, in the Netherlands and worldwide. This award-winning museum includes some 11,000 art, ceremonial, and historical objects which are displayed in a form inspired by the interior of the old synagogue in which the museum sits. This study site offers history students the chance to learn what it was to be a Jew in the Netherlands and immerse themselves in the historical and cultural aspects of Judaism.

In 1942, up to 80,000 of Amsterdam's Jewish population assembled in this grand theatre before being transported to camp Westerbork. The theatre has since become a monument to the 104,000 Dutch Jews who were exterminated. A war memorial since 1962, the Hollandse Schouwburg includes a wealth of exhibitions, videos and interactive educational opportunities for students.

The Anne Frank House, located on the Prinsengracht in Amsterdam, is a museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank who hid from Nazi persecution with her family and others in secret rooms throughout the back of the house. Opened in 1960, the museum is restored to how it would have been during Anne Frank's two year and one month encampment in the house. Attracting over a million visitors a year, the museum offers students the chance to learn about the experiences of Anne Frank during World War Two.

Completed in 1996, the Amsterdam Arena was built at a cost of 140 million pounds. Including the Ajax Museum, this study site is an excellent opportunity for hospitality and catering students to observe one of the most modern, large venues used for sports and music events. The best way to do this is by using a guide who can take you on an extensive tour of the stadium.

For over 150 years this historic farm has been producing the intrinsically Dutch products Gouda cheese and clogs. The world famous Gouda cheese is still made using traditional methods and the company also still make traditional Dutch clogs carved from blocks of wood. Perfect for catering and hospitality students, this study site gives a unique insight into the production of these items, and the opportunity to sample the cheese.

The city of Amersfoort has been brewing beer since the 13th Century. A relative newcomer to the town, the Drie Ringen brewery opened on 21st December 1989 and has built an excellent reputation and commercial enterprise. The brewery offers guided tours which explain the entire production process of the beer. This is perfect for hospitality and catering students who want to learn about the manufacturing, history and marketing of a successful brewery house. There is then the opportunity for students to partake in a question and answer session with the staff at the brewery at the end of the tour.

Opened in 1952, Efteling is one of the world's oldest theme parks. Originally based on a fairytale, it has now evolved into a theme-park on the scale of Disneyland, and has won the award for Best Amusement Park in the World. Perfect for hospitality and catering students study, the park appeals to both young and old with its cultural, romantic and nostalgic themes alongside its wide variety of amusement rides.

Not a working auction since 1973, this unique piece of history is the perfect study site for hospitality and catering students. The tour begins in the museum where students are given a small talk on how the vegetable auction was conducted when it first began. Students can also take part in a re-enactment of the auctions, where they learn how it was conducted in the past. A boat trip can also be taken to see the remaining islands and visit the sites of the historic market gardens.

Since its creation in 1930 by Minoru Shirota, Yakult has been the market leader in probiotic drinks. The European Headquarters are in the Netherlands and the factory there was designed with visiting groups in mind. This study site offers a great opportunity for hospitality and catering students to see the production process up front and in depth. Entertaining thousands of visitors per year, the Yakult factory is the ideal place for students to visit whilst in the Netherlands.

Taking over 3 million people per year, the Amsterdam Canal Cruises are an elegant and unique way to soak up Amsterdam's cultural traditions. The cruise passes along some of the city's most beautiful spots; meandering through the old city you pass elegant merchant's mansions, old churches, and warehouses steeped in history from Holland's Golden Age. This is a great study experience for travel and tourism students who will be able to learn and enjoy one of the truly original tourism transport options in Holland.

The Duinrell Amusement, caravan and camping park is built on the estate of Count Zuylen van Nijevelt. It has been critically acclaimed for its amusement park with the Tikibad swimming pool which has the longest waterslide in the Netherlands. The park caters for all ages, with attractions including rides such as Waterspin, Aqua Swing and the Mad Mill. This study site is an excellent opportunity for travel and tourism students who wish to learn more from this unique multi-faceted caravan, camping and amusement park.

This is the Netherlands branch of the world famous wax work museum. From Barack Obama to Doutzen Kroes, this Dutch version of the original is an excellent example of a long-running and highly successful tourist site that is a must-see for travel and tourism students whilst in Holland.