Welcome to Fred.\ an exciting new travel brand which provides holidays for the discerning traveller seeking an unforgettable holiday experience.

Fred.\ offers the best of European holidays and will tailor- make your holiday experiences to your personal requirement and budget.

Christmas Market eBrochure
  • Amsterdam is described as the 'Venice of the North'

    Amsterdam is described as the 'Venice of the North'

  • Amsterdam's world famous canals

    Amsterdam's world famous canals

  • Tulips and Windmills

    Tulips and Windmills

  • Every year more than 7 million flower bulbs are planted in the park

    Every year more than 7 million flower bulbs are planted in the park

  • Holland, famous for Edam and Gouda cheeses

    Holland, famous for Edam and Gouda cheeses

  • Traditional Dutch winter image, ice skating in the fields

    Traditional Dutch winter image, ice skating in the fields

City Breaks » Amsterdam City Breaks

The Amsterdam city breaks are some of our most popular city breaks, steeped in tradition combined with a quirky, creatively open minded culture that epitomizes this unique city. Amsterdam's history can be seen throughout the town, from street corners to local bakeries, visitors can see glimpses into the past of this glorious city. The city's gothic architecture is embodied in the Old Church, Oude Kerk, which is also the oldest wooden building in the city built in 1425.

In the summertime Amsterdam is the place to be for festival lovers, with events such as the Holland festival, the Roots Music Festival and the colourful Gay Pride parade as well as live music playing along the 17th century canals which in July 2010 were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Although home to Europe's most famous red light district, Amsterdam has much more to offer visitors. Museums and art galleries line the city's streets - the majority located at Museum Square. The Van Gough museum exhibits many of the artist's best-known works (such as the sunflowers) in a historic open setting allowing visitors to browse the extensive collection of paintings and exhibitions. The Rijksmuseum displays pieces from Rembrandt and that of his pupils, making Amsterdam the perfect destination for any art lover.

Amsterdam City Break

A visit to Amsterdam is not complete without experiencing the shopping in this city. The more upscale shops are found in and around the Vondelpark. The Vondelpark is Amsterdam's most popular park, a hive of activity and culture, visitors flock to the park for various live summer events and activities. Kalverstraat, in the centre, is the most popular high street in Amsterdam and is popular with those looking for a cosmopolitan Amsterdam city break. To combine shopping with sightseeing, visit the shops that line the canals within the Grachtengordel. Amsterdam is also host to many open-air markets for example the Albert Cuypmarkt.

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In Amsterdam, you'll find everything from international fashion labels, books, arts and antiques, to local specialities, such as tulip bulbs, cumin cheese and stoneware bottles of jenever (Dutch gin).

Markets

There is an interesting flea market around the City Hall and Opera. The busy, cosmopolitan food and clothes market is in Albert Cuypstraat. The colourful floating flower market bloemenmarkt on the Singel is not to be missed. On Saturdays, you'll find the organic food boerenmarkt (farmers market) and the vogelmarkt (bird market) in Noordermarkt.

Shopping centres

The Dam Square offers Bijenkorf, the premier department store in Amsterdam, which sells a good range of clothing, accessories, cosmetics and household items, and also Magna Plaza, an exclusive shopping centre in a fairy-tale, neo-gothic building.
The luxurious shopping centre De Kalvertoren and the upscale The Maison de Bonneterie - the Harrods of Amsterdam - are both located on Kalverstraat. There you can find top quality men's and women's clothing and fine household goods.

d'Vijff Vlieghen

d'Vijff Vlieghen (The Five Flies) is popular with both tourists and locals. Set in a series of period rooms and spread over five ancient, rambling, 17th-century canal houses, the dark wooden panelling, crisp white linens and antique furnishings of the interiors create a formal yet intimate setting. Typically experimental dishes include spring onion soup laced with berry-flavoured Dutch gin or red perch with sauerkraut, with tangy plum compote for dessert.

Rain

This bar/restaurant/club complex is a breath of fresh air on touristy Rembrandtplein. The bouncers and dark facade are a bit off-putting, but it is worth the effort of getting inside to enjoy a funky, visually impressive space. The menu covers three different types of cuisine (Asian, Continental and Mediterranean) and carries each off impressively well.

Christophe

This restaurant fully deserves its Michelin star for the blending of French style and East Asian influences to great. The result is exotic flavour combinations, such as cod and merguez sausage, with preserved Cevennes onions in a reduction of red wine and vinegar. The culinary creations are served with flair in a chic, contemporary canal-side restaurant. Reservations are essential. Only open for dinner.

Amsterdam has plenty to see including the wonderful 17th-century city centre and the canals, which give Amsterdam the famous face it portrays to the world. There are a large number of art museums, brown cafes and squares which are very popular with tourists. Among the more notorious Amsterdam highlights are the coffee shops and the Red Light District.

If you would like to make a booking or have any questions regarding on that you have already made please contact us on:

0207 781 1009

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