An Unforgettable Experience Awaits
Amsterdam is packed full of educational activities that cover a range of subject and learning objectives. Students will love the short hop over to experience a new city and soak up a different culture away from the classroom.
Trip Highlights
Dutch masters at the Rijksmuseum
Hands-on activities at the NEMO Science Centre
The world’s largest collection of Van Gogh paintings
Amsterdam ArenA – home of AFC Ajax
Recommended excursions
Canal Cruise Amsterdam
A cruise through Amsterdam’s canals is a pretty and peaceful way to see some of the city’s most beautiful spots. Gliding through the old centre, the view encompasses elegant merchants’ mansions, carillon-crowned churches and warehouses with their rich history from Holland’s Golden Age.
Tip: There are 65 miles of canals that meander through the city.
Van Gogh Museum
The largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world is housed here, along with the works of his contemporaries, Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. A visit here helps students understand the artistic context in which his works were created and the influence they had upon others.
Tip: The permanent collection includes 200 paintings, 500 drawings and more than 700 letters.
Rijksmuseum
The Netherlands’ largest museum houses a fantastic collection of Dutch masters from Rembrandt to Vermeer and Frans Hals. Students can trace the developments and continuities of artistic styles and techniques. Reopened in April 2013 after major renovations, the collection also encompasses objects from Netherlands’ cultural history and Asian art.
Anne Frank House, Amsterdam
The building where Anne Frank hid from Nazi persecution sits on the Prinsengracht canal. As well as the preservation of the hiding place and an exhibition on the life and times of Anne Frank, the museum acts as an exhibition space to highlight all forms of persecution and discrimination Photo © Konrad Glogowski.
Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art
This spacious museum shows modern and contemporary art and design from early 20th century up to the 21st century. It reopened in 2012 after renovations and features artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Karel Appel, Andy Warhol, Willem de Kooning and Gilbert and George.
Kröller Müller Museum
The Kröller-Müller Museum approximately two hours from Amsterdam in the De Hoge Veluwe National Park is renowned for its large collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh. The museum is also home to impressive works by George Seurat, Pablo Picasso, Fernand Leger, Piet Mondrian and many other great painters.
Madurodam
This miniature park is home to a range of perfect 1:25 scale model replicas of famous Dutch castles, public buildings, and large industrial projects. Students can learn the stories behind the buildings and interact with exhibits, loading containers on a cargo ship in the port of Rotterdam, or operating the Oosterscheldekering storm surge barrier.
Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is the Netherlands in a nutshell: a town of traditional Dutch crafts and architecture, with six windmills, a wooden shoe workshop, a cheese farm and more. Some think it’s an open-air museum, but actually, Zaanse Schans is simply a town full of extraordinarily well preserved architecture and traditions. It is both a fun and informative day out.
This is Holland – Amsterdam
This new educational attraction will allow groups to take a virtual flight experience above Holland’s beautiful landscapes using the latest I-ride technology. Specialised vehicles suspended above the ground move with the film to offer an exhilarating experience of flying. A pre-flight edutainment presentation explains how Holland was created from sea and swamp.
Mathematic Scavenger Hunt
Discover the hidden mathematics in one of Amsterdam’s city squares, Westermarkt. Students will explore the outside of a church from the 1600s through a fun scavenger hunt as they unlock mathematical facts about Amsterdam’s history. Mathematics covered includes ratios, averaging, Roman numerals, order of operations and can be adjusted to suit students level. Most suitable for KS3 and KS4.
The Hague
Seat of the Dutch government and home of many International organisations, The Hague is considered the second capital of the United Nations. At Scheveningen you can visit the Sea Life Centre and the Omniversum Imax film centre. Close to The Hague discover the Netherlands in miniature at Madurodam.
Clara Maria Cheese Farm and Clog Factory
The Clara Maria Cheese Farm and Clog Factory is located southwest of Amsterdam in the polder. A guided tour allows students to see Gouda cheese being made in the converted barn using the milk from the farm and traditional processes. Groups enjoy a cheese tasting and a chance to see Dutch wooden clogs being made using antique machinery. An on-site souvenir shop has a variety of Dutch products available
A’DAM Lookout
Enjoy a 360º degree view of Amsterdam and the surrounding area from the rooftop and 20th floor of the A’dam tower. A lift with sound and light effects will transport you in 20 seconds to the indoor Lookout on the 20th floor where visitors can enjoy the panoramic views and discover more about the history and culture of Amsterdam through interactive screens. Take the stairs to the roof for more views of the historic city, the port, airport and the polder landscape.
Amsterdam ArenA Tour
The Amsterdam ArenA was officially opened in 1996 as the new home for Ajax, Amsterdam’s world-renowned football team, and is the first football stadium in Europe with a retractable roof. The Amsterdam ArenA offers guided ‘World of Ajax’ tours that include the press room, mixed zone, VIP areas, and dressing rooms. The guided tour lasts about 60 minutes and in English and Dutch.
NEMO Science Centre
NEMO is the largest science centre in the Netherlands. Discover five floors full of exciting things to experience where everything is connected to science and technology. After a visit to NEMO, you will know why bridges are so strong, what you will look like in 30 years, why you look so much like your parents, how to purify water, how lightning and satellites work, and much more.
Typical accommodation
Meininger Hotel Amsterdam City West ★★★
Why groups like it:
- Excellent public transport links to central Amsterdam
- Modern purpose built hostel accommodation
- Close to nearby major attractions
- Located by Sloterdijk railway station
Facilities
- 24 hour reception
- Multi-bedded rooms for 4-8 students all with private facilities and flat screen TV
- Free Wi-Fi
A&O Hostel Amsterdam
Why groups like it:
- Excellent public transport links to central Amsterdam
- Multi-bedded rooms for students with private facilities
- Dedicated teacher lounge with free tea and coffee, Wi-Fi, local phone and a printer
Facilities:
- Rooms feature private bathroom faciliites
- Free Wi-Fi access
- 24-hour customer service desk
Itinerary suggestion
1 Flight to Amsterdam
2 Transfer to your accommodation
3 Evening meal
1 Breakfast
2 Visit the Nemo Science Centre before enjoying a canal cruise
3 Van Gogh Museum
4 Evening meal
1 Breakfast
2 Explore the Rijksmuseum
3 Visit to Anne Frank’s House
4 Evening meal
1 Breakfast
2 Flight time permitting, tour the Ajax Stadium
3 Return flight to the UK
Learning outcomes
Subject focus
Students can:
- Experience learning outside the classroom in another country
- Gain a deeper understanding of modern European history, World War II and the Holocaust at Anne Frank’s House
- Discover science at The Nemo Science Centre Amsterdam
- Understand the Netherland’s colonial history and historic trade links
- Examine the geography of the region and the constant battle to keep out the North Sea
- Build confidence and learn to value the skills and techniques needed for personal and team success
- Discover, explore and have fun with fellow students and teachers
Student outcomes
Students will have had an opportunity to:
- Visit a foreign country and experience another language and culture
- Gain independence and self-confidence
- Strengthen existing friendships and make new friends
- Learn more about history, art, geography and science
- Understand personal organisation, co-operating and working with others in a variety of environments
- Identify the Netherland’s place in modern European history
- Further develop their personal organisational skills
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Good service, lots of communication prior to the trip, adapted itinerary to suit the group
Cramlington Learning Village
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