Erasmus Courses for Teachers in Amsterdam, Netherlands

About the Training Centre in Amsterdam

Our Cultural Activities

The following cultural activities are included in the price of each Erasmus course in Amsterdam:

• A guided tour of Amsterdam
• A half-day tour on Saturday in Amsterdam’s surroundings

Our guided walking tour

Get to know the highlights of Amsterdam’s city center with this tour that will help you orientate yourself better during the week. The tour begins at the Training Centre.

Our Saturday excursion

Participants can choose between the following options, usually held on the Saturday at the end of the 1-week course and on the first Saturday for 2-week courses:

The Van Gogh Museum

A Dutch art museum dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries in the Museum Square, close to the Stedelijk Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Concertgebouw. The museum contains the largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings and drawings in the world and its buildings were designed by Gerrit Rietveld and Kisho Kurokawa. In 2017, the museum had 2.3 million visitors and was the most-visited museum in the Netherlands, and the 23rd-most-visited art museum in the world.

The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

The Rijksmuseum is a Dutch national museum dedicated to arts and history in Amsterdam. It is located at the Museum Square in Amsterdam, close to the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, and the Concertgebouw. The current main building was designed by Pierre Cuypers and first opened in 1885. In 2013 and 2014, it was the most visited museum in the Netherlands with record numbers of 2.2 million and 2.47 million visitors. It is also the largest art museum in the country, with 8,000 objects of art and history on display, from their total collection of 1 million objects from the years 1200–2000, among which are some masterpieces by Rembrandt, Frans Hals, and Johannes Vermeer.

Amsterdam and Surroundings

Amsterdam is one of the greatest small cities in the world.  From its canals to its renowned museums and historical buildings, it is truly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

Found within the province of North-Holland, Amsterdam is colloquially referred to as the “Venice of the North”, attributed by the large number of canals that make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Originating as a small fishing village in the late 12^th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17^th Century.  A few of Amsterdam’s notable residents throughout history include painters Rembrandt and Van Gogh, the diarist Anne Frank and philosopher Baruch Spinoza. It is a city of tolerance and diversity, with all the advantages of a big city:  rich culture, great nightlife, international cuisine, etc. with little road traffic thanks to its extensive canals. Your next destination is never far away, but you can always rent a bike to get the authentic local experience.

Best Things to Do in Amsterdam

1) Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is a neighborhood in Zaandam.  It is best known for its collection of well-preserved historic windmills and houses.  From 1961 to 1974 old buildings from all over the Zaanstreek were relocated. It is around a 30-minute train ride from Amsterdam Central Train Station.

2) The Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is a Dutch national museum dedicated to Amsterdam’s art and history.  It has 8,000 objects on display, among which are some masterpieces by Rembrandt, Frans Hals, and Johannes Vermeer.

3) The Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is a Dutch art museum dedicated to the works of Vincent Van Gogh and his contemporaries in the Museum Square.  It opened on June the 2^nd, 1973. It contains the largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings and drawings in the world.

4) Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House is a biographical museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank.  During World War II, Anne Frank hid from Nazi persecution with her family in hidden rooms at the rear of the 17^th-century canal house.  She did not survive the war, but her wartime diary was published in 1947.

5) The Jewish Historical Museum

The Joods Historisch Museum (Jewish Historical Museum), part of the Jewish Cultural Quarter, is a museum in Amsterdam, dedicated to Jewish history, culture, and religion, both in the Netherlands and worldwide. It is the only museum in the Netherlands dedicated to Jewish history.

6) Zaandvort aan Zee

Together with the sea and the dunes, Zaandvort is an area full of beautiful nature where you can do water sports or just relax and unwind. You can get there in 30 minutes, taking a direct rail link from Amsterdam Central Station.

7) The National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum is a maritime museum in Amsterdam in the Netherlands.  It has been ranked as the 11^th most visited museum in the Netherlands.

8) The Amsterdam Museum

The Amsterdam Museum is a museum about the history of Amsterdam, located in the old city orphanage between Kalverstraat and Nieuewzijds Voorburgwal.  It exhibits items related to the history of Amsterdam, from the Middle Ages to the present time.

9) Johan Cruijff Arena (AJAX Stadium)

Step into the world of Champion AFC Ajax by visiting the Amsterdam Arena!  During a 1-hour guided tour, our enthusiastic guide will tell you all ins & outs of the stadium and football legend Ajax.

10) Heineken Experience

The Heineken Experience is a historic brewery and corporate visitor center for the internationally distributed Dutch pilsner, Heineken beer.