Amsterdam, a tourist’s delight

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Amsterdam, fun for all ages.

When most people think of Amsterdam, it is often coffee shops and the red light district that spring to mind. But there is so much more to the Dutch sea port that makes it a great destination for a fun weekend. Perhaps one of the best reasons for a short trip to Amsterdam is the city’s size: small enough to easily navigate on foot and get a good feel for the place before you leave.

Things to do:

Renting a bike is a must, cycling is the preferred mode of transportation for the locals, whether to run errands or to cruise the streets around the city’s canals. At first the city may seem a bit difficult to navigate, so visitors would be well advised to carry a map on them. The locals are friendly, speak excellent English and are happy to point tourists in the right direction. Bikes are cheap to rent and companies such as “Mac Bike” have bikes for hire at a number of convenient locations around the city. 

A canal tour is an alternative way to see the sights and take in the beautiful scenery. Many tours leave Amsterdam’s Centraal Station and hop-on, hop-off Canal Bus Days Passes are available. On board commentary feeds passengers with interesting information about Amsterdam. 

Sights to see:

A good starting point is Dam Square, located in the heart of Amsterdam and well worth a visit. Once the hangout of the city’s hippie population, it boasts attractive architectural features, as well as a number of excellent local restaurants within walking distance. 

Other attractions include the world-famous Van Gogh Museum for art lovers and the Anne Frank house which tells of the horrors of World War II. Anyone looking for a good place to grab a beer will be in good company at the Wynand Fockink Bar; both Churchill and Chagall were patrons here and visitors to this tiny place, with the amusing name, will feel as if they’re living history. 

Places to Eat:

If you are looking for somewhere to eat in the Dutch capital, look no further then Café Stevens. This small, but charming, restaurant serves the typical Dutch dish of bitterballen, which is a combination of meat and potatoes that are breaded and deep fried into little balls. Enjoy your bitterballen with a nice glass of wine at this charming little café.  

Evening Entertainment:

The Wagg is a great place to sit down for a casual drink in the world famous red light district. This striking building dates back to 1488 and used to be the place where cargo ships would weigh in upon arrival to the city. The bottom floor of the weigh station has been converted into a bar. Sit down and enjoy a refreshing local beer, such as Heineken or Amstel, while talking in the sights.

 If you want to see some live music while in town, check out Paradiso. This church turned concert hall has a very inviting and intimate atmosphere with great acoustics. Grab a beer, find a dancing partner and enjoy some wonderful music.