Amsterdam, Netherlands
There is such a wonderful feeling of hospitality and comfort in Amsterdam. People gaily riding their bikes along the streets, small cafes and cozy shops line the canals. Although you are in a big city it feels like a small town. There is an ease to life here.
Amsterdam next to Vienna has been one of our most expensive cities thus far. We chose to stay in a shared Airbnb with a nice couple that has been renting out their second bedroom for the past 3 1/2 years. It had a rooftop terrace which is rare to find in the city and perfect for our week of sunny days. We were one of the last guests they will have because they recently sold it, and they too are about to go on a year travel adventure traveling to Central and South America starting in October.
Our first day we arrived to a cold and rainy city, but by the end of the day there were blue skies. Hot, sunny, clear weather seems to be rare here so when the sun was out so were all the locals and tourists alike, which meant look out for bikers! Most everyone bikes in the city 1. Because parking is the worst 2. Gas is crazy expensive and 3. It is extremely easy to get around the city via bike. Parents were picking up their kids from school and putting them in the front cart of their bike, #cutestthingever! Although an Amsterdam highlight is to bike around the city you really want to know the rules of the road before you jump on into the mix. Our boat tour guide recommended renting a bright colored bike that says "I am a tourist" so that people know to watch out for you.
We enjoyed the morning walks to the park to get in a little exercise, which normally included a bagel and a cappuccino on the walk home. We were also able to experience the tourist highlights including the Vincent Van Gogh Museum, Rijks Museum, Heineken Museum, Reypenaer Cheese Factory, "Coffee Shops"(you may know what I am referring to), chocolate tasting, boat tours, and lots of bars to watch the World Cup matches.
The Vincent Van Gogh museum was the best museum thus far on the trip. We were able to understand his life story and dive deeper into his paintings understanding where he was at that point in his life. During his life his works didn't earn him much fame, but posthumously he became world renowned for his contemporary style and influenced painters for many generations. The Rijks Museum was the second best museum we have been to thus far on the trip. Although it can take about 4-6 hours to get through we enjoyed walking through the amazing building seeing incredible Dutch artwork and artifacts.
The Heinkein museum was very interactive, but for the most part everyone was racing to the end to get the two free beers .. including us!
Of course Amsterdam is known for a few more things than just Heineken. For a long time prostitution was big in Amsterdam because it had one of the largest ports leading lonely sailors to meet young ladies. Today prostitution is legal. The government figured if you know it is going to continue why not regulate it. Today in the red light district you can walk around the windows and see and choose from many women.
The second policy that Amsterdam is known for is the legalization of soft drugs in a limited and controlled manor. The Dutch drug policy is directed by an idea that every human can decide for themselves the matters of their own health. You can go into a coffee shop and legally buy weed, magic mushrooms, salvia and peyote. This may sound strange to most, but the country does not have an issue with substance abuse, crime is very low, and prisons are being converted into alternative housing due to the small amount of criminals!
Fun fact: No, the canals do not get cold enough to ice skate as a main transportation in the winter. That only happens on rare occasions every few years and is more for recreation.
Amsterdam next to Vienna has been one of our most expensive cities thus far. We chose to stay in a shared Airbnb with a nice couple that has been renting out their second bedroom for the past 3 1/2 years. It had a rooftop terrace which is rare to find in the city and perfect for our week of sunny days. We were one of the last guests they will have because they recently sold it, and they too are about to go on a year travel adventure traveling to Central and South America starting in October.
Our first day we arrived to a cold and rainy city, but by the end of the day there were blue skies. Hot, sunny, clear weather seems to be rare here so when the sun was out so were all the locals and tourists alike, which meant look out for bikers! Most everyone bikes in the city 1. Because parking is the worst 2. Gas is crazy expensive and 3. It is extremely easy to get around the city via bike. Parents were picking up their kids from school and putting them in the front cart of their bike, #cutestthingever! Although an Amsterdam highlight is to bike around the city you really want to know the rules of the road before you jump on into the mix. Our boat tour guide recommended renting a bright colored bike that says "I am a tourist" so that people know to watch out for you.
We enjoyed the morning walks to the park to get in a little exercise, which normally included a bagel and a cappuccino on the walk home. We were also able to experience the tourist highlights including the Vincent Van Gogh Museum, Rijks Museum, Heineken Museum, Reypenaer Cheese Factory, "Coffee Shops"(you may know what I am referring to), chocolate tasting, boat tours, and lots of bars to watch the World Cup matches.
The Vincent Van Gogh museum was the best museum thus far on the trip. We were able to understand his life story and dive deeper into his paintings understanding where he was at that point in his life. During his life his works didn't earn him much fame, but posthumously he became world renowned for his contemporary style and influenced painters for many generations. The Rijks Museum was the second best museum we have been to thus far on the trip. Although it can take about 4-6 hours to get through we enjoyed walking through the amazing building seeing incredible Dutch artwork and artifacts.
The Heinkein museum was very interactive, but for the most part everyone was racing to the end to get the two free beers .. including us!
Of course Amsterdam is known for a few more things than just Heineken. For a long time prostitution was big in Amsterdam because it had one of the largest ports leading lonely sailors to meet young ladies. Today prostitution is legal. The government figured if you know it is going to continue why not regulate it. Today in the red light district you can walk around the windows and see and choose from many women.
The second policy that Amsterdam is known for is the legalization of soft drugs in a limited and controlled manor. The Dutch drug policy is directed by an idea that every human can decide for themselves the matters of their own health. You can go into a coffee shop and legally buy weed, magic mushrooms, salvia and peyote. This may sound strange to most, but the country does not have an issue with substance abuse, crime is very low, and prisons are being converted into alternative housing due to the small amount of criminals!
Fun fact: No, the canals do not get cold enough to ice skate as a main transportation in the winter. That only happens on rare occasions every few years and is more for recreation.
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