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Amsterdam Holidays

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Image courtesy of Terrence Medici
Image courtesy of Terrence Medici
Image courtesy of Terrence Medici
Image courtesy of Terrence Medici
Image courtesy of Terrence Medici
Image courtesy of Terrence Medici
Image courtesy of Terrence Medici
Image courtesy of Terrence Medici
Image courtesy of Terrence Medici
Image courtesy of Terrence Medici

Setting the Scene

There are two, almost diametrically opposed personalities to Amsterdam, but they live harmoniously in the same body. On the one hand there is the staunchly conservative and traditional Dutch values that espouse all the finer pleasures of life - art and culture, performing and fine arts, museums and theatres. Then there is the bawdy, ribald and liberal side, that not only tolerates but encourages the baser pleasures of the flesh - the infamous Red Light District full of bars and strips clubs, prostitution and live sex shows, and not forgetting the ubiquitous cafes, where the selection of marijuana varieties far outnumbers coffee blends.All this set in a city that is just stunningly beautiful, and if you choose to steer clear of the Red Light District, extremely family-friendly. Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and home to a population of around 1.2 million people in the metro area, but interestingly it is the Hague that is the seat of government. Amsterdam's city centre (Centrum) is the oldest and most visited part of the city and is quite compact, making it easy to get around by foot or bike. It is laid out in a semicircular design within the Canal District, with its focal point the Amsterdam 'Centraal Station'. It is in the this area you'll find De Wallen, where the infamous Red Light District is.Further out but still within the Centrum is the Canal District, which has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is the upmarket part of town, with five canals radiating concentrically out from the Old Town. It is here and in the town centre that's you'll see the Amsterdam recognisable from postcards - narrow cobbled streets, tall gabled houses, long narrow canal boats and people strolling along tree lined canals, or sipping coffee in one of the many cafes. South of the Centrum district is the Museum Quarter, where cheaper accommodation can be found. The regions to the north, west and east are the more suburban areas of Amsterdam.

A Brief History

The earliest records of settlement in Amsterdam are from the late 12th century when it was established as a small fishing village, but it wasn't until the late 13th century that the name Amsterdam was first used, to indicate the area where the Amstel River had been dammed by the local inhabitants. In the early 14th century, Amsterdam was recognised as a city and became an important trading and religious centre, prospering for the next two hundred years. In the 16th century, the Dutch rebelled against Spanish rule because of religious persecution and increased taxes, subsequently defeating Spain in the Dutch War of Independence. The Dutch Republic was recognised as a separate nation in 1648 and its renowned tolerance of different religions attracted people from the surrounding regions to settle in Amsterdam. Amsterdam was the powerhouse of European trading in the 17th century and became the wealthiest city in the world, sending trading ships all over the globe. The city's population was struck down several times by plague during this century, but such was the attraction of living in the city and strength of the economy that the number of inhabitants increased four-fold to around 200,000 by the end of the 1600s.The next two hundred years were not so kind to Amsterdam, whose economy was badly affected by several wars. The Netherlands became part of the French Empire after its defeat by Napoleon's armies and Amsterdam's influence in world trade was greatly diminished.The 19th century brought with it independence from France and the creation of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, which oversaw several major canals projects to connect Amsterdam to both the Rhine River and North Sea trading routes. This brought about a renewed vigour to the economy and Amsterdam again flourished, with much construction throughout the city and many new neighbourhoods created.World War Two was devastating to Amsterdam, with more than 100,000 Dutch Jews deported and the local population having to resort to subsistence lifestyles. The post war years brought a slow recovery to the city but it was many years before Amsterdam's neglected suburbs were rebuilt. Towards the later decades of the 20th century, Amsterdam was virtually restored to its former glory, however the process is still continuing to this day.

Things to see and do

Amsterdam is filled with small cobbled streets, charming architecture, beautiful canals, countless museums and, for those seeking it, shameless adult entertainment. A visit to this gorgeous city will tick off every box for a great European holiday.Enjoying the outdoors is easy and a 'must do' while you're in Amsterdam is a canal tour, where you'll get a wonderful view of the incredible architecture lining the banks of the canal. In the old part of the city there are very few parks, but outside of the canal district they do become more plentiful. The Artis Zoo and Botanical Gardens can be found in the Plantage district and are a great outing for young and old. There are three beaches in Amsterdam - Strand Zuid, Strand West and Blijburg, but as the weather is usually quite mild, all but the hardiest visitors may find it too cold, except during mid-summer.For a great taste of history there are several houses that have survived from the medieval period in the Old Centre, so a trip along Zeedijk Street and Begijnhof Street is well worth it.There are an incredible amount of museums in Amsterdam ranging from fine and modern art, history, archaeology and religion, through to marijuana and pornography museums. Places to visit in the Old Centre include the Hash, Marijuana and Hemp Museum, Rembrandt House where the Dutch painter Rembrandt Harmeszoon van Rijn lived for twenty years, the 'Sexmuseum' (the largest of its kind in the Netherlands), and the Amsterdam Historisch Museum. Anne Frank's House is in the Canal District, and the Verzetsmuseum in the Plantage District showcases Amsterdam as it was during Nazi occupation.Amsterdam has many open air markets throughout the city which tend to specialise in products including food, clothing, flowers, haberdashery, fruit and vegetables, but there are equally as many general traders. You name it, it's bound to be on sale somewhere in Amsterdam.For some purely adult entertainment the Red Light District is located within De Wallen in the Old Centre, and with a history dating back to the fourteenth century is possibly the most famous of all Amsterdam's attractions. The district is full of bars, nightclubs, adult shops and brothels, with the most famous being the rows of small, glass-fronted bedrooms that face the street, from where ladies of the night are on display to passers-by. The neighbourhood really kicks off around 11pm, when the streets are full of people and there is an almost festive atmosphere that continues until around 2 a.m. or 3 a.m, when most of the shops and businesses close. The district is also well worth visiting during the day to see some of the oldest and prettiest parts of the city, with narrow cobbled streets and distinctive 14th century architecture.

Local Flavours

Another well known attraction is the famous Amsterdam 'Coffeeshops' (one word). Here it is possible to buy and smoke marijuana and hashish, with many varieties to choose from. Check out the menu or talk to the people serving behind the counter if you're not familiar. They know all the varieties and can recommend which is best suited to your desires. If you're unaccustomed, ask for the weakest variety. Coffeeshops are no longer permitted to sell alcohol, so if you're after a drink look for a regular cafe instead.

Getting Around

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the main airport for flights into Amsterdam and is located about 15 km (9 miles) southwest of the city. The best way to get into the city from the airport is by train which is reasonably priced and takes around twenty minutes. The train station is located under the main terminal and tickets can be purchased from ticket machines or over the counter (which attracts a surcharge). Trains run day and night, with peak hours serviced by up to five trains an hour, while early morning services between 1a.m. and 5 a.m. run hourly. It's generally not advisable to take a taxi as the fare to the city will likely be around fifty Euros. Shuttle buses also run from the airport to many destinations within Amsterdam and though more expensive than trains, they can be more convenient if you're travelling with a lot of luggage.The main train terminal in Amsterdam is the Amsterdam Centraal Station, which is situated in the heart of the Old Centre and is convenient to the downtown area. There are also several other stations located throughout the city. Direct international train services run to Brussels which then connect with other European destinations. The trip to Brussels takes between two and a half and three hours. Amsterdam is very flat and picturesque as well as being quite compact, so the best way to get around is by bike or on foot. There are many bike rental shops around town and rates start from about ten Euros a day. It's advisable to take out insurance and to carry at least one lock as bike theft in some areas is rife and a bike left unattended will disappear faster than you'd imagine.Public transport in Amsterdam is primarily via tram in the central area and the metro into neighbourhoods further out. All trams and metros have maps which are very easy to follow. To travel on Amsterdam's public transport, it's necessary to buy GVB OV-chipkaart, which is an electronic ticket containing a chip that you swipe when entering and exiting a tram or metro. OV-chipkaarts can be purchased at Schiphol Airport and Centraal Station, as well as many stores and hotels and GVB stands, and can be validated for a number of hours, days or longer, depending on your stay.If you're travelling outside the city, trains are usually the best form of transport. It's not advisable to drive a car anywhere in the Amsterdam city centre and unless you plan to visit distant, hard to reach destinations outside the city, public transport is far easier. There are several car hire companies in Amsterdam but their selection is smaller than in other major cities.

Weather

The climate in Amsterdam is known as 'oceanic climate' which means the weather is influenced greatly by the nearby North Sea. Winters are generally cool with daytime highs averaging around 6°C (43°F) with lows around 1°C (34°F). Summer temperatures range from 23°C (73°F) in the day down to 13°C (55°F) at night. Heavy rain is uncommon in Amsterdam but overcast days are common, with drizzle or light rain occurring on average every second day, but this usually happens at night.So, dress for the temperature and have a rain jacket or umbrella handy to deal with the weather.

Good to Know

Do not take photos of the people in the Red Light District as it is considered disrespectful to do so and may result in a damaged camera - or worse.Take care when walking on footpaths as they might also be bike paths. These are coloured red/purple, but sometimes this can be easily missed as the paint fades over time. Keep an eye out and if you're cursed at by cyclists, there's a good chance you're walking on a bike path.If you're unfamiliar with the effects of marijuana or hash and want to try some from one of the Coffeeshops, be sure to ask the advice of the people serving there. They know the strength and effects of the different varieties and can advise you of what is appropriate.Give yourself plenty of time to clear customs and security at the airport as security is very strict, especially for people attempting to take samples of marijuana or hash out of the country. Remember the consumption of soft drugs is tolerated but not legal, and attempting to export any can be met with severe penalties.If cycling, ensure you have a lock for your bike as Amsterdam has the highest level of bike theft in the world. Also, cheap bikes for sale tend to be already stolen, so if it seems to good to be true, it's likely hot!

Staying here

There are hundreds of choices for accommodation in Amsterdam but it's highly recommended that you book in advance. Occupancy rates can run very high, especially in peak periods, so if you haven't pre-booked finding accommodation can be difficult.Most of the budget accommodation is found in the Old Centre district in the form of hostels, but there are also many reasonably priced hotels here. Cheap hostels can also be found in the Red Light District. These budget options usually don't have lifts and instead have very steep staircases, so carrying luggage upstairs can be tricky.More up-market hotels can be found in the Canal Ring and Jordaan neighbourhoods. These can range in price from reasonable to very expensive, depending on the season, the location and the services available.

Amsterdam Holidays

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