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ONLY BE AMSTERDAMMER
Only Be Amsterdammer
Amsterdam A-Z Part II
Kerk: It means ´church´ in Dutch. For example, Oude Kerk, the one in the middle of the Red Light District which I will explain later. The second half of the alphabet begins now. Leidseplein: A square full of restaurants, clubs, pubs and theatres, filled with jugglers, mimes and street artists that entertain the passers-by. Also, it´s a lively place and very popular. Market (Flower): At the Bloemenmarkt, they have been selling all kinds of flowers and plants for over 140 years. However, if there´s a flower that stands out above the rest that´s the tulip. It´s a curious place because it´s a floating market, which you can find on the quay of the Singel Canal. Nieuwe Kerk: This Gothic church is located on Dam Square and was built in the 15th century. It took 150 years for the construction to finish and this monument has hosted quite a few royal weddings and coronations since the beginning of the 19th century. Oude Kerk: Located in the middle of the Red Light District, this church is the oldest in the city (dating from 1306). It´s a Calvinist church and they say that it was the place that all sailors went to to confess when they arrived in Amsterdam after sleeping with a prostitute. That way, they killed two birds with one stone. Photo via mark.hogan Prostitution: The famous Red Light District is a district filled with one-room cabins with red lights where there´s a prostitute that will charge you 50 euros for a 15-minute service. Anything else and they will charge you extra. Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands and the girls pay taxes and...
Amsterdam A-Z. Part I
Amstel: If we think of Amsterdam we think about the canals, which reminisce of Venice but slightly larger, since they are almost 50 miles in length and some one thousand bridges cross then. The main water source is the river Amstel and an anecdote is that the bank vaults from the National Bank are located under it for security reasons. Bicycles: The most popular form of transport, most Amsterdammers use the bicycle as their preferred way of getting around, with the city filled with bicycle lanes everywhere you go. Be careful when you cross the road because the bicycles will be coming from left and right. However, it´s a great way to stay fit and a quick way to get to places, so if you want the real experience rent a bicycle and visit the city on two wheels. Photo via Matt Spurr Coffee Shops: It´s normal to find the curious coffee shops all over the city. These are places where people go to smoke marihuana and have a coffee. Alcohol is not usually sold and you can´t smoke tobacco on its own there. There are dozens of types of marihuana and hashish that you can buy by the gram or the joints already rolled. If you don´t smoke, you can also buy the famous space cakes. One of the oldest and most famous coffee shops is the Bulldog, although it has many others of the same chain. Dam: Dam Square is the starting point for guided tours, more specifically the 77-feet tall obelisk. There you can find the first dam of the Amstel river and the obelisk was built as tribute to...
Sinterklaas 2013 – Amsterdam
St. Nicholas, typically associated to Christmas, will be the star of a great festival celebrated on the 17th of November 2013 in the Netherlands. This is not just a regular celebration; it is a rooted Dutch tradition that never fails to mesmerize locals and visitors. In anticipation of St. Nicholas’ arrival, streets, houses and shops all over the country are decorated with images of the venerable red-dressed old man with the white beard. Although it is not very clear why Sinterklaas lives in Spain, every year during mid-November he arrives by boat to Amsterdam along with his assistants the Zwarte Pieten (the black Peters). Wearing elegant medieval clothes, Sinterklaas and his assistants navigate the beautiful waters of the Amstel River, while waiving at families that enjoy his colorful parade from the riverbanks. The cheerful boat-parade ends at noon at Amsterdam’s Maritime Museum (Scheepvaartmuseum), where Santa and his assistants are welcomed by the city Mayor. Photo: Sander van der Wel At half past Twelve Sinterklaas gets on Americo, his beautiful white horse, and heads towards the famous Dam square in a joyful parade led by his beloved assistants, who throw millions of candies to the happy crowds that enjoy this show full of music and dances. At Dam Square, you’ll find thousands of families craning their necks to get a glimpse of Sinterklaas’ arrival. Multiple acrobat shows and, of course, the Zwarte Pieten, who wouldn’t spot throwing candies until everyone get a piece, liven up this beautiful event. Starting on the 17th of November and until the 6th of December, Santa and his loyal assistants get down the chimneys to...
Queen’s Day in Amsterdam
The arrival of the 30th of April becomes a huge event in the Netherlands, especially in Amsterdam. The Dutch celebrate their national day and their queen´s birthday in an atmosphere where festive cheer and fun gather more than 700,000 people. This year is especially unique since Queen Beatrice is abdicating her throne after the festival, after 33 years in it. Therefore it will be the last ´Queen´s Day´. From 2014, it will be the turn of her son and successor, King William, so this year´s Queen´s Day is expected to be especially emotive and multitudinous as a farewell to the outgoing Queen. The night before There´s so much will to party in the Dutch capital that the activities begin the night before Queen´s Day. From 7pm onwards, the parties start arising around the city and last until daylight. In the streets, in the bars… you´ll find entertainment everywhere! The markets If there´s something that Dutch people are passionate about, that´s commerce and this day is proof of that. From the early hours of the morning, the streets fill with stalls that sell anything and everything. Children and adults offer things that they want to get rid of (toys, books, clothes) in a jovial atmosphere, since the most important thing here is to socialise and have a good time, so everything is sold at symbolic prices. Try and bring cash since it´s a great chance to find some bargains. The Jordaan district This district is the most popular one during the festival since, as well as the numerous market stalls, drinks stands and food stands that you can find, there...
The Best of Amsterdam
When it comes to having fun, many opt for Amsterdam, which might well be one of the most liberal cities in the entire European Union. As is well-known, prostitution and marijuana are absolutely legal in Amsterdam. For this reason, many tourists and travelers head to this city in search of action, partying and new experiences. If you´ve been to Amsterdam, you already know, of course, that you should avoid places like the touristy cafes that are found in the busiest squares where loud tourists flock at the end of the night. If you are actually interested in discovering the best of Amsterdam, you’ll have to leave behind the famous “coffee shops” and English pubs and search a bit further on. Amsterdam has great terraces that are very close to the canals and bars with delicious cocktails. The food you´ll find in these alternative venues will also be surprisingly good. Figuraten Bar This charming cafe is very popular on the west side of the city. It is located in a very nice neighborhood close to downtown and the famous Vondelpark. During the week, you´ll find students and the occasional celebrity in this typical local bar. On Sundays nights, you can enjoy delicious toasted sandwiches. And you can enjoy live music just about every day. Hiding in Plain Sight Just a few canals away from Amsterdam’s red light district, you´ll find the perfect place to have the most delicious cocktails. Hiding in Plain Sight is a small bar that is somewhat hidden from the sight of the average passerby. The atmosphere of this unique cafe will transport you back to...
Unique Experiences in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is much more than coffee shops and canals, this Dutch city (which is as cosmopolitan as they come) offers visitors countless options to do just about anything. Check out the nightlife in the Jordaan Quarter, visit the beaches around Amsterdam, play all sorts of sports, drink beer in a number of fun bars, skate at night, or you can even stay overnight in a boat. The possibilities are endless when you travel to this beautiful, cold city. Nightlife in the Jordaan Quarter The Jordaan is a meeting spot for the young and not so young. If you’re traveling to Amsterdam, here are some pubs you’ll want to visit: Struik (160 Rozengracht street), Café Thijssen (107 Brouwersgrach), Brandstof (341 Marnixstraat), Café Lowietje (2 Goudsbloemdwarsstraat) and Café ´t Smalle (12 Egelantiersgracht). You can have a great time in any one of these but ideally you’ll visit each of them. Why not create your own pub crawl by going from pub to pub and trying a beer in each venue. Skating around the clock Skating in Amsterdam is always nice and it’s an activity that´s fun for both young and old. And its even more fun is you can do it on the frozen canals in winter. This city’s tradition of skating on the canals goes back to the seventh century. And it’s very idyllic to experience when it is actually cold enough to make it possible. The Dutch also enjoy skating in the summer months (although they do it on the asphalt), and they have a “Friday Night Skate”, which is a race that starts in Vondelpark. Dutch...
Amsterdam for Lovers
The capital of the Netherlands is yearly visited by over 4 million travellers from all over the world. Visitors come to this beautiful and exciting city to experience its rich history, great museums, characteristis canals, and of course the famous Red Light District and numerous “cozy” coffee shops. Amsterdam offers the perfect romantic scenery when roaming along the canals with your loved one. The city just has this welcoming, warm and magical athmosphere that every visitor will feel. Let us reveal some more of that romance the city has to offer. Here is a, by locals carefully selected list of romantic places in the warm heart of the city. Only for Lovers. Canal Cruise Surrounded by water, the best thing to do is take a cruise through the canals of Amsterdam. This is a great way to have a look at the charming city from a whole other point of view. Recommended specially when the sun has gone down. It is also possible to rent a private boat just for the two of you. Explore by tandem For active couples it is a great idea to explore the cities treasures by bike. Rent a tandem to bike around together as a team. Bring a long a picnic basket and a picnic in the Vondelpark. Vondelpark This park was voted by locals as the most romantic spots in Amsterdam. Almost a quarter of the cities residents had a special moment in their life they think of when crossing the Vondelpark. Also an excellent place to relax on a blanket and have a romantic picnic. Nomads...
Shopping in Amsterdam
From the posh south of the city, the market Albert Cuyp market to the trendy center of the city, Amsterdam will meet the needs of every resident or visitor´s shopping desires.
