A Serious Trip through History
No visit to Amsterdam would be complete without going to the Anne Frank house, the hiding place where this teen wrote her world-famous diary, symbolizing Jewish suffering during World War II. I realized that even young children grasp the tragedy of the Holocaust when seven-year-old Austin asked, ''Mommy, where would we hide if this happened to us?'' To avoid a long wait outside the museum during the summer, plan a late dinner and make your visit after 6pm when the line is shorter.
Telephone: 020-556-7100
IN THE DUTCH COUNTRYSIDE
Miniature Magic Outside Amsterdam, families of all nationalities flock to the largest miniature city in the world: Madurodam. Windmills turn, ships sail, canal boats float between charming houses and modern trains traverse the city. With its over 1,000 models, a family can spend half a day seeing a cheese market, the queen's royal procession and a tiny woman sunbathing (topless!) on an Amsterdam rooftop garden.
Telephone: 703-55-3900
Holland's Version of Disneyland
Efteling Park, the charming Dutch version of Disneyland, is a not-to-be-missed, clean, non-commercialized amusement park. Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, lovable gnomes and other storybook characters are all here. Kids with nerves of steel can ride roller-coasters with passages that go both in the dark and upside down.
Telephone: 41-628-2000
