by Roo Sadegi
Amsterdam may not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a holiday with your kids, but visitors to this enchanting Dutch city will tell you that it is teeming with activities for children. Not only does Amsterdam expose children to the heart of the Netherlands, but it also offers many interactive pursuits that create an exciting hands-on experience.
A Trip for Every Day
Give the kids a warm introduction to the city with a bit of exploration by land and by sea, or rather, by canal. Take a cruise to see the sights along the winding canals or rent a canal bike and pedal along with the family. When it's time for lunch, head over to the city's famous Kinderkookkafé, where children are in charge of the kitchen. Children learn to cook and serve guests, whipping up delicious sarnies, soups, and puddings. After a tasty meal, the whole family can relax in nearby Vondelpark. The park's scenic trails are ideal for hiking or cycling, while the summer days are filled with free performances at the Open Air Theatre.
Amsterdam Museums
The local museums have attractions for every member of the family. At the Rijksmusem, adults can view masterpieces by famous Dutch artists while children examine the brilliant collection of 17th century dollhouses. For an afternoon of amusement and education, spend the day examining the cultural exhibits at the Tropenmuseum or visit the historical Anne Frank House.
Kid-Friendly Fun
Children with adventurous spirits will enjoy the interactive NEMO science museum. Housed in a building shaped like a ship, the centre presents hands-on exhibits that allow kids to experiment with science and technology. Rainy days won't ruin your holiday. Pass the time at Tun Fun, a massive indoor playground where kids can let loose and play their favorite sports, create fun crafts, and even dance.
In the summer time, go to Amsterdam's Artis Zoo where there are more than 700 animal species, botanical gardens, and a geological museum. For kids who are serious animal-lovers, families should also visit the petting area of the goat farm at Ridammerhoeve. When the evenings draw near, end the day at the city's unique shops, including Pinokkio, a store dedicated to charming wooden toys.
The Amsterdam hotels or the Tourism Board can give eager holidaymakers other suggestions about great local spots for entertainment, dining, and shopping. The hotels in Amsterdam are beautiful, but don't spend too much time in your room. Give the kids a taste of the city life and they'll be begging for a second trip.
About the Author
Roo Sadegi is a travel writer based in London's East End, although he spends much of his time travelling around Europe's travel hotspots.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
How Long Does It Take To Get a Passport?
by Alison Kroulek
When you apply for a passport, it is important that you do it as far in advance as possible. After all, you don't want to still be waiting on it to show up in the mail when it's time to leave, do you? Waiting until the last minute to submit your passport application can greatly increase your stress level, and if you don't have it when you need to leave, you could end up losing hundreds of dollars in fees for having to change your flight or rebook your hotel.
The Department of State lists its current passport processing times on its web site. You can check them here. Usually, it takes about 6 weeks to process an application for a passport if you request regular processing. The government's expedited processing option costs an additional $60 and takes about 3 weeks, door-to-door, assuming you have the application overnighted to the passport processing facility and that you also include an additional $14.96 for overnight delivery from the facility to your house. However, you should double-check the Department of State's web site, as passport processing times get longer during periods of increased demand.
But what do you do if 3 weeks won't cut it? If you are leaving in 2 weeks or less, you can make an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency office. These offices can issue same day passports to travelers who have an itinerary showing that they will be leaving the country in the next 14 days.
Unfortunately, for many people this is not a viable option. There are only 18 of these offices located in major cities across the country, and they tend to have limited office hours, similar to those of a bank. So, if you work during the day, you will have to get additional time off. Depending on where you live, you may have to drive for hours or even take a plane to reach a passport office that can issue same day passports.
So, for many people, it is easier and worth the extra expense to use a private passport expediting company. An expediting company takes your passport application and delivers it to the US Department of State for immediate processing, and then sends back to you as quickly as possible.
About the Author
Alison Kroulek is a freelance writer with a focus on the travel industry.
When you apply for a passport, it is important that you do it as far in advance as possible. After all, you don't want to still be waiting on it to show up in the mail when it's time to leave, do you? Waiting until the last minute to submit your passport application can greatly increase your stress level, and if you don't have it when you need to leave, you could end up losing hundreds of dollars in fees for having to change your flight or rebook your hotel.
The Department of State lists its current passport processing times on its web site. You can check them here. Usually, it takes about 6 weeks to process an application for a passport if you request regular processing. The government's expedited processing option costs an additional $60 and takes about 3 weeks, door-to-door, assuming you have the application overnighted to the passport processing facility and that you also include an additional $14.96 for overnight delivery from the facility to your house. However, you should double-check the Department of State's web site, as passport processing times get longer during periods of increased demand.
But what do you do if 3 weeks won't cut it? If you are leaving in 2 weeks or less, you can make an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency office. These offices can issue same day passports to travelers who have an itinerary showing that they will be leaving the country in the next 14 days.
Unfortunately, for many people this is not a viable option. There are only 18 of these offices located in major cities across the country, and they tend to have limited office hours, similar to those of a bank. So, if you work during the day, you will have to get additional time off. Depending on where you live, you may have to drive for hours or even take a plane to reach a passport office that can issue same day passports.
So, for many people, it is easier and worth the extra expense to use a private passport expediting company. An expediting company takes your passport application and delivers it to the US Department of State for immediate processing, and then sends back to you as quickly as possible.
About the Author
Alison Kroulek is a freelance writer with a focus on the travel industry.
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