Amsterdam - Culture and Sports

Offering a range of traditional entertainment, Europe's largest conference complex, the Amsterdam Conference Center, is also offers space for hold business meetings and conferences.

Bowling Center Knijn in Amsterdam offers public bowling lanes and a restaurant.

"Canal bikes" are two-four person pedallos in which you can explore Amsterdam's canals on your own. Four possible routes are described in a leaflet you get given when you hire your "bike". It also tells you the "rules of the road" that have to be observed once you're part of the traffic like any other vessel!

Leidseplein (between Marriott Hotel and Hotel Americain) Stadhouderskade (between Rijksmuseum and Heineken Brouwerij) Prinsengracht at the Westerkerk (near Anne Frank Huis) Keizersgracht (corner of Leidsestraat) You can return your boat to the landing stage of your choice.

There are miniature golf courses in the Amstelpark, the Amsterdamse Bos and the Sloterpark

In Amsterdam's principal shopping streets can be found both exclusive shops and department stores of international standing. Favorite shopping areas are pedestrian zones like Kalverstraat.

Between the Amsterdam grachten (canals) there are a variety of small shops and boutiques selling an extraordinary range of goods. They include a number of highly specialized shops. Amsterdam has more than a dozen markets, including the flea market in Waterlooplein and the floating flower market in the Singel.

Other shopping facilities are offered by the city's second-hand bookshops, shops for collectors and shops selling craft articles of various kinds.

During the winter months it is sometimes possible to skate on the canals in Amsterdam. This does not happen every year but some years the canals freeze enough to allow for skating.