Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 1/8/07
The Rijksmuseum is easy to get after stepping off the train and crossing to your left to the busline to catch a bus displaying its destination overhead. If not, just ask because all bus drivers speaking English as well as a few other languages, such as French and German. Maybe even Spanish. Who knows? But definitely English.
At the museum you can use a digital camera without flash. If someone asks, tell them just that and you won't have any problems, except trying to fit one of the big spectacular paintings, such as Rembrandt's 'Night Watch' into the panoramic setting.
Over the past few years, the Rijksmuseum has been undergoing a facelift. But don't let that discourage you, as there are many floors to see, and they're all sectioned off according to period and country.
Many Dutch artists are featured at this state museum, such as Vermeer, Rembrandt, Mondriaan, Vangogh, DeWit, etc. Also are French artists such as Gauguin, Monet, Renoir, Magrit, Cezanne, etc.
As in most state museums, artists from several other countries are featured here as well. So you won't leave feeling disappointed. And if you didn't get enough in the Rijksmuseum, there's always the lovely Vangogh museum around the corner and worth the price as well.
Upon leaving the museum, walk up the sidewalk toward the kiosks and enjoy a delectable warm waffel with hot cherries and whipped cream - very tasty!
In the summer months, I'd suggest you take the boat bus that drops you on and off at several interesting points, such as the Anne Frankenhuis, Flower & Flea Markets, various museums, and in walking distance to the Red Light district. The boats also bring you back to your destination starting point. So those of you who tend to get lost in the canals can easily navigate your way back :).