Amsterdam Noord NDSM

Just north of Amsterdam Centraal lies the former ship wharf area called NDSM now transformed into a kind of combined art and culture centre. There is so much to discover and if you are looking for a fancy hotel, why not spend the night on top of an old crane!?

• City: Amsterdam
• How to get there: Take the free ferry from outside Amsterdam Centraal Station to NDSM Wharf.
• Tip: After visiting all the art stuff why not take a stroll through Noorderpark along the Noordhollandsch Kanal and catch the metro 52 back to the city centre from Amsterdam Noord Station.
• Ticket: For the metro you can use the OV-chipkaart
• Transport information: GVB
• Location: NDSM wharf

New York Red Hook Dock

Many tips are probably out there if it comes to the city of cities, New York. So this article is just an idea for a scenic detour in Brooklyn with a wonderful view from Red Hook Dock towards the Statue of Liberty at the end. After crossing one of the most iconic sites in New York, the Brooklyn Bridge, there is a park with the same name, overlooking the East River and Manhattan. Along this park there are various piers that have been transformed into public playgrounds and picnic areas and are well worth exploring.

• City: New York
• How to get there: Get the subway line 4, 5 or 6 to Brooklyn Bridge City Hall Station and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge towards Brooklyn. From there just follow the East River via Brooklyn Bridge Park. Alternatively take the subway line A or C to Hight Street Station in Brooklyn. From Brooklyn Bridge Park follow the signage towards Red Hook. After a short stretch along the very busy Columbia Street you are following the Van Brunt Street with some nice local shops and restaurants until you reach an old warehouse that holds now Fairway Market. On the opposite site of the building you get a perfect view of the Statue of Liberty and have a litte waterfront park to enjoy.
• Tip: You could also cycle this whole stretch from City Hall in Manhattan to Red Hook in Brooklyn as this is mostly off street with dedicated cycle lanes. After having lunch at the fantastic Fairway Market you can use the IKEA ferry service from IKEA Dock to get back to Manhattan.
• Ticket: You can use your MetroCard on the subway but need an extra ticket (available on board) for the ferry service. If you purchase something at IKEA the ferry trip is free of charge.
• Transport information: IKEA Ferry Service, Metropolitan Transportation Authority
• Location: Red Hook Dock

Sydney Parramatta Park

Parramatta, a westerly suburb of Sydney, is easily accessible by train or by a nice ferry ride. Although it takes something over 1 hour to get there via the scenic waterway, it has a nice town centre with some good cafes and restaurants. Arriving by ferry gives you the opportunity to continue along the Parramatta River on foot until you reach Parramatta Park. The park is home to a world heritage site: Australia’s oldest public building, the Old Government House.

• City: Sydney
• How to get there: Take a ferry from Circular Quay Station to Parramatta Wharf. From here just follow the river on foot, it’s about a 30 min. walk to Parramatta Park.
• Tip: After observing hundreds of flying foxes from Buttons Bridge, continue to walk towards Westmead Station and take a train back to central Sydney.
• Ticket: You can use the Opal Card (top up) on the ferry and train services.
• Transport information: Transport for NSW
• Location: Parramatta Park