To define with a few adjectives the city of Amsterdam is truly an unprecedented feat: an urban agglomeration picturesque, evocative, romantic, exciting, breathtaking and unique can only be mere attempts to try to describe one of the European capitals with the most magical atmosphere ever!
Its international airport, moreover, is a feather in its cap that only embellishes the whole thing, offering millions of tourists from all over the world the possibility of arriving in Amsterdam from any starting point.
Among them are many who hire a private jet, a travel methodology that allows flexibility, comfort, privacy and a range of extra services that enable wealthy tourists to optimize their time.
Given the quantity of attractions and places of interest in Amsterdam, it is essential to establish and plan an itinerary aimed at capillary visits to each of its special features.
In this article, we try to compile a list of the best sights in the Dutch capital, as well as some information on chartering a private jet.
Historical and geographical background on Amsterdam
Amsterdam is located in North Holland, an area crisscrossed by an endless amount of canals that flow into Lake IJ to which the Amstel River, the main river artery from which the canals that bathe the city actually rise, also flows. It is located 2 meters below sea level and is connected to the North Sea by a channel of the same name; however, the surrounding area is mostly flat as it is dotted with so-called polders, which are areas that were once wet by the sea but have subsequently been artificially dried. Exactly like most coastal cities, Amsterdam began as a tiny fishing village; as time went on, however, given its strategic location it began to play a crucial role in European trade, eventually joining the Hanseatic League in the mid-14th century and prevailing as the largest port in northern Europe. Shortly thereafter the Spanish inherited possession of Holland, causing the city to broaden its commercial horizons and allowing it to specialize in grain and arms trade especially with the Indies. However, due to several issues that arose during the years of Spanish rule, the city began to rebel and joined the insurgents in the conflict against Spain, which had recently united with Portugal; it was during this period that the Bank of Amsterdam arose in the wake of that of Venice. The 17th century was an incredibly prosperous period for Amsterdam as it became the center of the international gem and jewelry trade: several buildings that can still be visited today, such as the Town Hall on Dam Square and the Academy, were built during this era. In addition, the city joined the West India Company, which was in charge of transporting slaves to different continents. Corresponding to the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century, Amsterdam grew even more until today, when it is one of the most popular tourist destinations for tourists from all over the world because of the incredible charm it extrudes.
What to do and see in Amsterdam
Museum hubs and river cruises.
Amsterdam is world-renowned for its beautiful museum hubs located in the city's nerve center. Wealthy tourists, in fact, have the opportunity to stay in some of the most luxurious hotels in the heart of the Dutch capital so as to visit some of the most important museums, including the Van Gogh Museum, which houses several of the Dutch artist's masterpieces, the Rijskmuseum and Rembrandt's house, to name a few. Anyway, during the warm season, it happens very often that each of them can host temporary and exclusive exhibitions to which VIP tourists can have access. One cannot forget the romantic river cruises that can be taken on Amsterdam's many canals, just like the possibility of hiring a private boat to view the city from a sensational perspective.
Shopping in Amsterdam
Amsterdam's elegance and charm can also be seen in its shopping streets and neighborhoods that offer wealthy tourists the opportunity to indulge in the purchase of fine jewelry, jewelry and clothing. One of the best known is the Hofstraat, a full 700 meters of a boulevard where multiple high-fashion boutiques rise, ranging from Calvin Klein to Gucci, via Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Armani and Bulgari. This artery is also marked by numerous stores where to buy exclusive souvenirs that will be able to remind the visiting tourist of Amsterdam's beauty.
Amsterdam's most important and glamorous events
The western end of the city, in the Van Baerlestraatm district, is home to several buildings used for the cultural events that the Dutch capital holds each year. In the Concertgebouw concert hall, for example, theatrical performances and classical music concerts are held even during daylight hours, events that wealthy tourists cannot miss; not only that, in November the RAI Fair attracts a large number of owners of yachts and various boats thanks to the METS Trade Show, a kermis where international and national exhibitors belonging to the marine engineering sector meet. This is an opportunity to take a closer look at the newest technologies implanted on the most powerful yachts ever made, allowing enthusiasts to get an idea of what they could add to their private boat in terms of command, navigation, and safety of technological devices.
The top hotels in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a large cosmopolitan city that allows tourists visiting it to stay in some of the most luxurious accommodations in the area such as the Hotel Ambassade, a luxurious hotel decorated with artwork and consisting of a bar, private spa and gourmet restaurant. Also worth mentioning is the Park Plaza Victoria, which has the most elegant and luxurious atmosphere with the highest technology amenities within the individual suites. In addition to this, the Hotel Pulitzer, an upscale property that offers spacious suites, a lovely garden and several extras to ensure a stay in line with the needs of wealthy tourists, also deserves honorable mention.
Climate and best time to visit Amsterdam
Given its location, Amsterdam enjoys a maritime climate with mild summers and fairly cold winters. Spring, or the period from March to May, is characterized by temperatures hovering around 15°C with highs of 18°C during the hottest hours; there is no shortage of sunny days, but they are also accompanied by rain and heavy rainfall. However, nature is beginning to bloom, and seeing the tulips coloring the city's green spaces is definitely an experience not to be missed. From June onward, the weather warms up with maximum temperatures that can reach as high as 30°C especially in August; during this period the days are very long and the several hours of daylight allow for better sightseeing in Amsterdam. The weather begins to cool down as early as September: temperatures return to below 20°C, leaves begin to fall from the trees coloring the parks with classic autumn hues, and rain falls more frequently. Temperatures drop below 10°C in winter, reaching near zero during January and February; snowy days may occur, but the proximity of the sea mitigates their frequency and the abundance with which snow falls. In light of the above, the best time to charter a private jet to Amsterdam is definitely late spring, a window of time dominated by pleasant weather and a high percentage of chance of incurring beautiful sunny days.
How and why to fly by private jet to Amsterdam
Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport (ICAO code EBAW) is one of the most important airports with the largest number of passengers passing through it in Europe. Its name comes from the blockhouse that was erected in the polder in the area where the airport currently stands; however, in 1916 it was equipped to become a military base, but it was not until 4 years later that the first scheduled flights began to be operated. A real distinguishing feature of the airport serving the Dutch capital is the presence of a branch office of the Rijksmuseum in which a number of totally free exhibitions are housed positioned immediately after passport control. There are more than 490,000 flights operated to date, with more than 63 million passengers using the stopover either to get to Amsterdam or for transoceanic flights: however, these include a large number of travelers who charter a private jet. For this category of tourists, a VIP Center and a Premium Club Lounge have been established in which they can rest or work, have meals thanks to the many eateries and bars present, and purchase products in the shopping area. As many as 6 runways are perfectly suitable for any type of private aircraft; however, it should be pointed out that the airspace over Amsterdam is bound by certain restrictions on night flights since from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. only silent aircraft may take off and land for a maximum of 34 takeoffs or landings per night. The transfer to the city takes an average of 25 minutes and can be made by luxury cabs, rental cars with professional drivers, and by limousines that can be booked well in advance.
How much does it cost to fly private to Amsterdam
Amsterdam Airport is easily reached by routes from major European cities, such as London, which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes away; renting a Light Jet involves a cost of about €6,000, while that of a Medium Jet and Large Jet rises to €14,000 and €18,000, respectively. Slightly higher prices if departing from Barcelona, from which a flight takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes; opting for a Light Jet costs 12,000€, for a Medium Jet about 21,000€ and for a Large Jet about 30,000€. Starting from Northern Europe, Amsterdam is connected to Helsinki by a flight of about 2 hours and 45 minutes; only a Light Jet and a Medium Jet are available at respective prices of about €13,000 and €25,000.
The best jet to fly to Amsterdam
For short-haul flights, the Cessna Citation CJ1 is a perfect light jet given its range of about 1500 km and top speed of about 700 km/h. Despite its small size, the interior cabin puts passengers at ease by providing them with a wealth of luxurious amenities. Somewhat more performance parameters are discernible in the Learjet 60/60XR, Medium Jet that expands the number of seats to 7 and the cruising speed to about 800 km/h. The range of more than 4,000 km makes it possible to travel great distances while serving a quality service. The Bombardier Challenger 604, on the other hand, is an ultra-long-range Large Jet capable of flying continuously for over 6000 km at a speed of about 850 km/h while guaranteeing great comfort thanks to reclining seats, sofa beds, and plenty of space even in the luggage compartment!
Most frequent flights to and from Amsterdam
Below of the most frequent connections to Amsterdam: