The scene between gates E and F at Schiphol. (Photo by Grumbler)

Editor’s Note: Pete and Meredith just spent a long weekend in Amsterdam. This is the first of several posts from their recent journey.

Homeward bound

You know the scene, Cheapos. It was a bleary day in Amsterdam and we were a bit veklempt about bidding farewell to all the old school bicycles, chocolate with our morning coffee, and gorgeous canal views, but alas…it was time to return to New York.

A heavy fog loomed over the city causing airport delays. We were in a fog of our own, after multiple nights out on the town, days spent roaming the streets, and a less-than-friendly sleeping arrangement due to a hotel room that was directly under a construction site (but more on that later!).

Happy trails

So we were overjoyed to end up in the middle of gates E and F in the international departures terminal at Schiphol Airport where we could take our good ol’ time browsing the drawings and paintings of Dutch masters like van Dyck, Rembrandt, and Peter Paul Rubens.

Earlier, we had read and even blogged about the free art on display. We were also pretty well aware of the lay-out and comforts that Amsterdam’s well-known airport offers its drifters.

Private collection

We had the gallery to ourselves and spent about 30-minutes combing the exposition, feeling particularly smitten by the watercolors. All in all, a terrific idea. Free art while you wait to take-off. When we finally settled into our seats on a KLM Royal Dutch flight we felt properly cultured, and even watched half of Wall-e in Dutch. (Did somebody say roboten?)

Need to know…

The exhibit, comprised of about a dozen works of art, is sponsored by the Rijksmuseum and ING and focuses mainly on what the Dutch tend to refer to as their “Golden Age” of art, i.e. stuff produced during most of the 17th-century. Visit Schiphol’s Rijksmuseum site for opening and closing times, directions to the terminal, and more.

Popularity: 25% [?]

If you can pull your gaze from the winding canals and floating gondolas, you’ll find there’s plenty of art to see in Venice. Many of the Italian masters, including Titian, Tintoretto, and Giorgione, have artwork on display around the city.

While the biggest museums, such as the Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Ca’ d’Oro charge anywhere from €2.50 to €6.50 for admission, Venetian churches (many of which still hold daily mass) are treasure troves of free art.

Art history at the Chiesa di San Moise

The Chiesa di San Moise, in Venice’s San Marco neighborhood, is a particularly worthwhile example. Built in the 8th-Century, this church has had enough time to acquire extravagant baroque touches-and it shows! Highlights include:

• Facade: Outside, covering the facade, you’ll find a line-up of worthy cherubs and statues.
• Statues: Inside, San Moise is decked out with busts of Italian aristocrats, Tintoretto’s “La Lavanda dei Piedi,” and bronze angels.
• Alter: A depiction of Moses on Mount Sinai graces the altar.
• Organ: An 18th century-organ is occasionally opened for public recitals.

Not bad for one church!

Visiting the church

The Chiesa di San Moise is open daily from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The church is reachable by vaporetto stop San Marco del Giglio (Line 1). Check out the official site for more info. 

Also see: Our recommended budget hotels in Venice.

Popularity: 18% [?]

While visiting Munich, take a break from Wagner and the Biergarten by visiting the Frauenkirche, one of Bavaria’s most beloved Gothic structures. The Frauenkirche (”Cathedral of Our Lady”), a Catholic church located near the city’s Marienplatz square, sports twin domed towers and expansive vaulted ceilings. What’s more, admission is free!

Quick History

Munich’s Frauenkirche has been “in service” since 1488, although bombings during World War II destroyed much of its original facade. The interior boasts paintings spanning five centuries, along with the tomb of Emperor Ludwig IV of Bavaria and other items of interest. (For example, a mark on the church’s floor, known as the Teufelschritt, is said to be the devil’s footprint!)

Visiting the Frauenkirche

The cathedral is open daily, although visits are not permitted during services. (Take the advice of our friends at hidden europe magazine, however, and take part in a service!) The church offers guided tours starting at 2 PM every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Visitors can climb the towers for a great view, May through October.

For more information, check out the Munich Tourism Board’s official site and the section on the Frauenkirche (more detailed information is available on the site, in German). 

Popularity: 24% [?]