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. 

 

 

Lisbon, The first capital of the global village

Lisbon is reawakening. The words "new" and "cool" haven't really been associated with this city since the 16th century when it ruled over the world's first global empire, extending from Brazil to India. Vasco da Gama's expedition to the East brought it cultures and a touch of the exotic that Europe had never seen before -- spices (cinnamon, pepper, ginger), foods (potatoes, pineapples, tea) and animals such as the elephant and rhinoceros that paraded by the city's waterfront. When the glory days of trade and discovery were over, Lisbon fell victim to one of the most destructive earthquakes ever recorded, and remained dormant ever since. The kiss that awoke the "princess by the Tagus" came during Expo 98, the last world fair of the 20th century. The Expo site became a new neighborhood with futuristic architecture, riverfront warehouses were converted into clubs and restaurants, its narrow cobbled lanes were invaded by caipirinha-holding young crowds enjoying a typically-warm night out, new boutique hotels and contemporary-design hostels opened in renovated old buildings, and an energized artistic scene brought it a renewed sense of confidence. 

 But what hasn't changed are the breathtaking views from its hills which arguably make Lisbon Europe's most scenic capital. Add its trademark mosaic pavements, dilapidated pastel-colored or tile-covered buildings, iconic turn-of-the-century trams, melancholic Fado music, and you also have one of the world's most soulful cities. In fact, Lisbon's unpolished appearance actually provides a seductive atmosphere all of its own, and prevents it from ever being just another bland old city.

 

1. Jeronimos Monastery's cloisters and Vasco da Gama tomb.
2. Belem Tower and views of the Tagus River from its loggia.
3. Gulbenkian Museum's art and gardens.
4. Berardo Museum's modern art.
5. Oceanarium and surrounding PARQUE DAS NAÇÕES architecture.
6. ST. GEORGE'S CASTLE and nearby views over medieval ALFAMA.
7. BAIRRO ALTO bar-hop and clubbing by the river.
8. Treasures from the Age of Discovery and European masterpieces at the Ancient Art Museum.
9. A late-afternoon drink or snack at a riverfront cafe or restaurant, or at the docks warehouses under 25 DE ABRIL BRIDGE.
10. A daytrip to the palaces of SINTRA.

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.  

Dinner time in Lisbon is always after 8PM and often after 9 or 10PM on weekends. Eating out is quite cheap when compared to other Western European capitals, and a wide range of restaurants are clustered in the Bairro Alto neighborhood. Tourist-friendly options with local and international cuisine are found in the pedestrian Rua das Portas de Santo Antão downtown, and by the marina Docas de Santo Amaro with tables outside with wonderful views.

Check if the international luxury brands have any special offerings in their Lisbon shops down Avenida da Liberdade and Rua Garrett. Go for something different at the trendy and funky boutiques with retro and urban wear in Rua do Norte, and look for the sophisticated independent shops down Rua Dom Pedro V in the Principe Real neighborhood. Finally, find some extraordinary old shops filled with charm in Chiado and get some design ideas in Santos.