Amsterdam

Out & about in Amsterdam: the Amsterdam Light Festival 2012. From 7 December to 20 January.

2 December 2012

The Amsterdam Light Festival 2012

I LOVE all the lights during the December month. So I’m always very excited when the Amsterdam Light Festival 2012 is on again. I live very close to the bridge in the picture. It looks so beautiful and festive! This year from December 7th until January 20th the whole city is lightened spectacular again with art pieces of several artist. The festival has four major festivities you read all about on iannsterdam.

The program:

1)Amsterdam light festival 2012: Boulevard of Lights:
In the Boulevard of Lights the Amstel and it’s surrounding buildings gets a transformation and turns into a beautiful light show. Between the Munt and the Amstel Hotel you’ll experience something unique. Between December 7th and January 20th from 17.00-22.00.

2) Amsterdam light festival 2012: Illuminade:
The Illuminade is a walking tour from one hour passing by twenty light sculptures in the historical centre of Amsterdam between the Amstel river and the Scheepvaartmuseum. Join for the Illuminade between December 14th and December 30th form 17.00-22.00 hours.

3) Amsterdam light festival 2012: Christmas Canal Parade:
The Christmas Canal Parade is a magical boat parade on December 15th. Starting at 18.30 the canal parade takes 45 minutes. The route is: Westerdok, Prinsengracht, Amstel, Nieuwe Herengracht, Scheepvaartmuseum, Oosterdok. Check out the website for the estimated times of arrival at the different locations.

4) Amsterdam light festival 2012: Socialight.
Socialight contains of different smaller events organised by people living in Amsterdam. This is one event that caught my attention: the Light My Ride tour on December 22nd. It start at the Albert Heijn at Museumplein at 18.30 hours and you can join the ride on your skateboard, roller skates, skeelers or pimped bicycle. Fun, right?

Amsterdam light festival 2012:

Location: several locations in Amsterdam
Date: December 7th until January 20th
Website: amsterdamlightfestival.com
Entrance fee: FREE entrance (yeah!)

Let me know what you think is the most beautiful light sculpture or building during Amsterdam light festival 2012!
Photo credit: Amsterdam Light Festival  

Amsterdam Bucketlist
THINGS TO DO:
Canal Cruise by day or in the evening
A bike tour through Amsterdam OR Rent a bike by yourself
The best view over Amsterdam from the A’DAM Lookout
Visit Artis Royal Zoo
FAVOURITE MUSEUMS:
Rijksmuseum with the Dutch masters
Van Gogh Museum, a staple in Amsterdam
Stedelijk Museum for modern art lovers
MOCO Museum for street art
Photography museum FOAM
SEASONAL:
Amsterdam Light Festival (during winter months)
Cruise like a local with your own boat (great with good weather!)
ONE OF A KIND:
Discover the Instagrammable experience WONDR
Red Light District tour
Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn

| TIP: Buy an I amsterdam City Card. Save money on entrance fees to museums and attractions, public transport and profit from discounts on everything from restaurants to concerts. You can also skip some lines to make the most of your time in Amsterdam! You can buy a card for 24 hours up to 120 hours. Check the prices here >>

Our favourite hotels:
AFFORDABLE // €
Generator Hostel: the best poshtel of the city located in a park.
The Student Hotel: budget proof in trendy East.
Het Volkshotel: affordable and with a cool rooftop bar.
☾ CitizenM: all you need is that XL bed (location near Amstel is great).
☾ Motel One: budget design hotel with locations at
COMFORTABLE // €€
Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
Sir Adam: with the coolest view over Amsterdam.
☾ Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
☾ Park Plaza Vondelpark: located next to Vondelpark and beautifully renovated.
Hotel Dwars: small scale around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
Pillows Anna van den Vondel: great hotel close to Vondelpark.
Hotel Mercier: new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city.
The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals.
Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel in Amsterdam West.
Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
QO Amsterdam: eco design hotel with a great skybar.
TOP LUXURY // €€€
☾ Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
☾ L’Europe: this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
☾ Conservatorium Hotel: located in one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
☾ W Amsterdam: with great restaurants and a rooftop bar with swimming pool.

More hotspots in Amsterdam

Let’s get social

I really hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam! On my Instagram account @yourlbb you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.

Follow @yourlbb on Instagram

| PS: Traveling to Amsterdam with kids? My other website Travelkids.co & @travelkids.co is dedicated to family friendly travel. Check it out here >>

With love,
Anne 

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Anne de Buck

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