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The Saturday City: Amsterdam

May 10, 2008

The capital of The Netherlands, Amsterdam, is famous for its coffee shops, red lights, and canals, but it offers a lot more than that. Founded in 1275 supposedly by two fisherman and their dog, the city became he seat of the House of Orange, the royal family that still rules the country today. During the centuries, the city grew in importance and wealth as Dutch colonies were set up around the world and companies like the Dutch East India Company (VOC) began transferring wealth to the city. Amsterdam was the focal point of trade and as the prosperity of the VOC grew so did the fortunes of the city. The city also became a major financial center, opening the first stock exchange in late the 17th century. (For tulips!)

My first trip to Amsterdam was in 2006. I was there to relax from my trip around Europe. I had seen enough churches and needed a rest. While enjoying the coffee shops, I realized there was much, much more to this city. Lured in by these shops, I stayed for the locals and charm.

Most people stay in the Amsterdam only a few days, experiencing the major attractions, a coffee shop, and a canal tour. Within days I realized this was a place that offered much more than that, and 6 weeks later, I was still there. I had fallen in love. The city, the locals, the atmosphere. It was all there. Amsterdam was more than red lights, smoke, and canals.

I just came back from there and the city is as wonderful as ever. Visually, the city is stunning. Old brick buildings are lined by tiny cobble stone streets and alleys. Separating these streets are tree lined canals that slice through the city. Wandering around the streets as they zig zag their way through the city, you feel as though you’ve stepped back into 1700 and somewhere around the next corner, you’ll see members of the Dutch East India Company.

Besides being a visual marvel, the city also offers a lot of activities. The Dutch love to bike. The streets, the city, the country, are all meant to be biked. Renting a bike and seeing the city the Dutch way is a great work out and a great way to get out of the tourist center and visit the suburbs like jordaan and oost to see where the locals live.

If museums are your thing, the city is awash with them. There’s the Van Gogh museum where you can hundreds of Van Gogh paintings, including the famous sunflowers, as well as see paintings from other impressionist painters. Then their is the Rejksmuseum where you can see Rembrandt’s famous Nightwatch painting. (You can even see Rembrandt’s house.) There’s the Amsterdam History Museum, the Sex museum, the Hemp Museum, and the Jewish History Museum. In Amsterdam, whatever you fancy, there’s a museum for it.

Then there’s Vondalpark, the enormous park, in the southern part of the city. During the summer, the Dutch come out of hiding and populate the park for a picnic or soccer game or just some relaxation. Vondalpark too busy? Well, there’s quite a few other major parks spread out through the city. You’ll find what you are looking for.

Besides cultural and beauty, there is of course the well deserved reputation as a party city. If all you want to do is visit coffee shops, party, and see the red lights, the city has that too. The city has a vibrant party and club scene thanks in part to fun loving locals and single minded young tourists (especially the British weekend warriors).

Whatever you desire, Amsterdam has it. It’s an exciting city and its all under the backdrop of canals, brick houses, trees, and bikes. No journey through Europe is complete without a stop through the city. There you’ll find everything you want with friendly (and English speaking) locals willing to show you around.

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Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Saturday City, Weekly Photo

Comments

3 Responses to “The Saturday City: Amsterdam”

Anonymous on May 11th, 2008 12:49 am

I love Amsterdam! Great review…spot on.
jenny on May 13th, 2008 9:00 am

i am so gonna put Amsterdam on my list of places to visit.
Vagabond Sean on May 16th, 2008 7:17 pm

Amsterdam is my second home, first being Boston. Nice to find another Beantown Junkie that like to travel the world.

I have had the same experience of being ‘trapped’ in Amsterdam. It has so many similarities to Boston, but without the nasty attitude we are all accustomed to in Boston.

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Vagabond Sean
TalesOfAVagabond.com