Amsterdam You're Welcome

It's easy to see Amsterdam as one big village crossed by canals and footbridges, colorful flower markets, and bike paths, but that's only until you visit its art galleries, see the best of Dutch design, and experience its extravagant nightlife, when you conclude that this is in fact a big world-class city. While the first images it brings to mind may be the sex and drugs of its famous red light district, this is also the city of elegant canalside architecture, relaxed cafes, and a live-and-let-live attitude to pretty much anything. So take advantage of that and in between visiting its art treasures, dedicate most of your time to simply hanging out and absorbing the city's vibrant, welcoming spirit. 

1. A walk or a cruise down the Grachtengordel Canals.
2. The Dutch Golden Age treasures of the Rijksmuseum.
3. The masterpieces in the Van Gogh Museum.
4. Stedelijk Museum's contemporary art.
5. The famous Anne Frank House.
6. The notorious RED LIGHT DISTRICT.
7. A stop in DAM SQUARE.
8. The Torch Gallery's exhibitions.
9. Sitting with a drink in LEIDESPLEIN.
10. Browsing through ALBERT CUYPMARKET and BLOEMENMARK.
    

Look for the hotel or hostel that best matches your budget, type of trip or personality. Here you can guarantee a room but you do NOT pay anything at the time of booking. Payments are only made at the hotel and there are no booking fees. Most hotels allow cancellations with no penalty if done up to 24 or 48 hours in advance. You'll see that information at the time of booking and again in the confirmation email. 

A café is Amsterdam often means a pub and cannabis, and not just a coffee shop or a place to go for brunch. For dinner, fresh local ingredients create international dishes at stylishly designed restaurants which often share walls with the city's top bars and clubs. In between checking out those fashionable hotspots you'll find other cheaper, simpler ethnic restaurants (from Indonesian to Turkish) where the food is often just as memorable.

Amsterdam offers a myriad of shops, boutiques, and markets for every personality and budget. All the well known chain stores, from H&M to Zara are found down Kalverstraat, the longest and most popular shopping street in the city. For a number of luxury and designer labels within steps from each other, head to PC Hooftstraat. Named after a 16th century poet, dramatist, and historian, this street is lined with fine boutiques, although locals prefer the original shops spread throughout the Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) shopping district. Be sure to not miss the Albert Cuypmarkt which claims to be Europe's longest street market. And if you're in the city on a Saturday, Noordermarkt is the popular farmer's market for organic food and bric-a-brac. On Mondays, head to the Waterlooplein flea market, where the city's young and trendy go for second hand clothing, old books, and pretty much anything. 

 

 

The Hague, Netherlands

The Hague is the residence of the Queen, the seat of the Dutch government and the “judicial capital of the world”, as known in the political groups. Its architecture combines buildings from medieval times with modern constructions and is definitely worth observing. There is a lot to do in this various urban center, from strolling through the mesmerizing parks to taking a bike down to Scheveningen, a busy seaside resort filled with boardwalk cafes and close to the dunes (spring and summer recommended!)

 

 

Groningen, Netherlands

Groningen is known throughout The Netherlands for its 50 000 students, its rich History life and culture. As in almost all Holland cities, visiting can be elegantly achieved by walking or renting a bike. A few landmarks include the Groninger Museum of contemporary art, the Synagogue, the Tobacco Museum and many, many more.

Leiden, Netherlands

Leiden is located in South Holland, 20 kilometers away from Hague and 40 from Amsterdam. It is  the perfect scenic place for a canal boat ride on the Old Rhine. Leiden is Rembrandt’s birthplace and a university town since 1575.  Leiden is one of the most important museum cities in the Netherlands, so if you are interested in culture, be sure to check out some of the schedules before traveling there. Strolling the town’s historic center could turn out to be a highly educational experience.

 

Delft, Netherlands

Delft is a small picturesque town in the South of The Netherlands, famous for its association with the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange - Nassau. It  is said to be one of the best-preserved, “historic” towns in the country. If you’re ever in Delft, be sure to contemplate its  charming canals, peaceful walkways, the Oude Kerk, (Old Church), Nieuwe Kerk (with the tomb of William of Orange), the Stedelijk Museum Het Prinsenof that has an impressive collection of Dutch decorative arts and last but not least the Vermeer Trail (named like this after the famous painter).