Travel||Amsterdam
JANUARY IN AMSTERDAM
If smoking isn't really your thing you can also try one of the shops local delicacies- A Hash Cake, or a Cannabis Brownie. This is usually the options most first time Cannabis trier's go for as they don't put as much in and it isn't as strong as if you were to smoke it.
(Obviously this is just a rough guide and I am in no way condoning the use of Drugs, but thought I would put the information out there for anyone who wants to know more about Amsterdam's culture.- You can find out all about Amsterdam's drug policy and laws by clicking here).
3. The Red Light District
Another one of Amsterdam's hidden delights (for some)... the capitals most famous Red Light District- and some may even say one of the most famous Red Light District in the world.
There are 3 main areas in the Red Light District which are Singelgebied, Ruysdaelkade and De Wallen which is the oldest and notably the largest area of the 3. The layout of the district roughly contains 300 1 bedroom cabins which are rented by prostitutes who usually stand in front of glass windows or doors to promote themselves and their services to the onlooking public.
The district is also home to multiple sex shops, sex theatres and peep shows and 2 museums- the Sex Museum and the Cannabis Museum. You can also find more coffee shops scattered around the district.
So there we have just a few ideas of places and attractions in Amsterdam to visit on our trip. If you have any more great recommendations please leave a comment and let me know!
Hotels....
There are thousands of hotels to choose from in Amsterdam and knowing exactly where to stay is always a struggle. We opted for the city centre as this is where most of the attractions are located and where all the good transport links are.
This is one hotel we have in mind.
Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam
Found through the website Lastminute.com We decided we wanted to stay near to the railway stations just in case we fancied taking an adventure elsewhere for the day. I found this to be one of the most upmarket (its a 4 star), yet cheap hotels the centre of Amsterdam has to offer. At just £100.00 a night for superior Queen room, you can expect clean modern double rooms fitted with luxurious showers and bath suits, big flat screen TV's offering an array of cable TV, Movies and Music. An indoor Swimming Pool, Sauna and a Salon are also some facilities the guests can use free of charge. The hotel also has 3 places to dine and drink and has a great drinks bar serving cocktails and wine.
So there we have it! My little guide to Amsterdam. Really excited to book this trip now and cannot wait to explore the city. If anyone has any more great suggestions of places to go or things to do, or even any good tourist tips please feel free to leave a little comment in the box below :)
See you all next time for some more great city guides.
OK so whilst I have been away from the computer (sorry once again!) Me and my SO have been busy planning some trips away. We have narrowed it down to Amsterdam- this month! Italy- for the summer and if we are lucky enough to have any holiday left from work a few days break away in the South of France.
One place which was high on both our list's was Amsterdam, so this is where we are heading first.
Below are just a few things I cannot wait to visit and try out when we arrive.
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| Source: Amsterdam:. |
Amsterdam is the capital and most populated city of the Netherlands. It is mostly known for its drug culture and its liberal views towards Sex- it has one of the most famous red light districts in the world, millions of tourists come and visit every year. As well as this it also holds a lot of museums, including Amsterdam Museum, The Anne Frank House and The Van Gough Museum. Amsterdam also attracts many visitors due to its historical culture and beautiful landscapes- it boasts more than one hundred kilometres of canals. It is one of Europe's most talked about countries especially amongst the 18-30 age group and we can't wait to find out why!
There is a wide variety of activities and things to see in Amsterdam (815 according to the trip advisor website) and here are just a few things I have put on my bucket list for when I visit.
1. The Jordaan
Okay so not really an attraction as such (more of a neighbourhood) but still very famous amongst tourists, mainly known for its Modern Art galleries. The Jordaan is originally known for housing the working class, but now it is an expensive part of Amsterdam home to lots of Restaurants and speciality shops as well as Markets. One of the most famous things that people come to visit here is the Ann Frank House- now a museum which was once the hiding place where Ann Frank wrote her memoirs during the Second World War and is located on the edge of the Jordan.
2. Amsterdam's Coffee Shops
As mentioned earlier Amsterdam is known for a few things one being its attitude towards Drugs. It is legal in the Netherlands to smoke Cannabis,which is considered a soft drug in this country. Amsterdam has roughly around 200 Coffee shops to choose from all which can be found here. Although you are allowed to smoke in these shops, the law states that you have to over 18- and carry ID with you. It is also forbidden to smoke on the streets and if found with large quantities of drugs, expect to be prosecuted.
Amsterdam Coffee Shops are usually easy to spot and you can tell which ones are legal and above board. Just look out for the Green and White sticker in the window. All Coffee Shops will have them.
Okay so not really an attraction as such (more of a neighbourhood) but still very famous amongst tourists, mainly known for its Modern Art galleries. The Jordaan is originally known for housing the working class, but now it is an expensive part of Amsterdam home to lots of Restaurants and speciality shops as well as Markets. One of the most famous things that people come to visit here is the Ann Frank House- now a museum which was once the hiding place where Ann Frank wrote her memoirs during the Second World War and is located on the edge of the Jordan.
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| Photo Source: Etsy.com (Canal) |
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| Photo Source: flickr.com (Front of Ann Frank House Museum) |
As mentioned earlier Amsterdam is known for a few things one being its attitude towards Drugs. It is legal in the Netherlands to smoke Cannabis,which is considered a soft drug in this country. Amsterdam has roughly around 200 Coffee shops to choose from all which can be found here. Although you are allowed to smoke in these shops, the law states that you have to over 18- and carry ID with you. It is also forbidden to smoke on the streets and if found with large quantities of drugs, expect to be prosecuted.
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| Photo Source: Pinterest (BABA Coffee Shop) |
If smoking isn't really your thing you can also try one of the shops local delicacies- A Hash Cake, or a Cannabis Brownie. This is usually the options most first time Cannabis trier's go for as they don't put as much in and it isn't as strong as if you were to smoke it.
(Obviously this is just a rough guide and I am in no way condoning the use of Drugs, but thought I would put the information out there for anyone who wants to know more about Amsterdam's culture.- You can find out all about Amsterdam's drug policy and laws by clicking here).
3. The Red Light District
Another one of Amsterdam's hidden delights (for some)... the capitals most famous Red Light District- and some may even say one of the most famous Red Light District in the world.
 |
| Photo Source: flickr.com |
The district is also home to multiple sex shops, sex theatres and peep shows and 2 museums- the Sex Museum and the Cannabis Museum. You can also find more coffee shops scattered around the district.
So there we have just a few ideas of places and attractions in Amsterdam to visit on our trip. If you have any more great recommendations please leave a comment and let me know!
Hotels....
There are thousands of hotels to choose from in Amsterdam and knowing exactly where to stay is always a struggle. We opted for the city centre as this is where most of the attractions are located and where all the good transport links are.
This is one hotel we have in mind.
Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam
Found through the website Lastminute.com We decided we wanted to stay near to the railway stations just in case we fancied taking an adventure elsewhere for the day. I found this to be one of the most upmarket (its a 4 star), yet cheap hotels the centre of Amsterdam has to offer. At just £100.00 a night for superior Queen room, you can expect clean modern double rooms fitted with luxurious showers and bath suits, big flat screen TV's offering an array of cable TV, Movies and Music. An indoor Swimming Pool, Sauna and a Salon are also some facilities the guests can use free of charge. The hotel also has 3 places to dine and drink and has a great drinks bar serving cocktails and wine.
So there we have it! My little guide to Amsterdam. Really excited to book this trip now and cannot wait to explore the city. If anyone has any more great suggestions of places to go or things to do, or even any good tourist tips please feel free to leave a little comment in the box below :)
See you all next time for some more great city guides.
