http://RealAdventures.com/vacations/188953_articles-netherlands-other.htm Check out some of the recently updated travel & vacation listings on RealAdventures. Be inspired, go explore! en-us Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:55:10 GMT Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:55:10 GMT http://RealAdventures.com http://RealAdventures.com/vacations/188953_articles-netherlands-other.htm 100 100 http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1200889_Experience-Amsterdam http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1200889_Experience-Amsterdam Articles Netherlands Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:09:29 Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is a laidback city with both traditional and modern sightseeing adventures. -
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is a laidback city with both traditional and modern sightseeing adventures.


Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is a laidback city with both traditional and modern sightseeing adventures. The combination of history and the newer, more alternative, lifestyle ensures that visitors are a melting pot of people from all walks of life. Amsterdam is busy city with loads of street activity.

The city centre is the main tourist area with Damrak, a wide avenue, which runs from Centraal Station to Dam Square. The latter originally gave Amsterdam its name. Amsterdam is a city with plenty to do, many attractions and a thriving entertainment scene.

The districts, towns and villages surrounding Amsterdam are steeped in history and offer wonderful landscapes with many an old windmill a photographers or artists paradise!

Amsterdam's relaxed attitude and tolerance of a number of things which you would not find elsewhere make it an unusual European city. For instance, on open display in the city youll find pornography and hashish cafs. This city is home to one of the most lurid red light districts in Europe and its relaxed stance on drugs has given it the reputation of being the worlds cannabis capital. This easygoing lifestyle has drawn people from all over the world to live here and immigrants now make up over 30% of its population.

The traditional history of Amsterdam still exists though and the architecture, medieval churches, museums and galleries that are all around the city are a favourite with tourists and locals alike. It is a haven for the arts with Rembrandt being its favourite son.

Located on the estuary of the river Ij, Amsterdam is only 20 kilometres from the coast of the North Sea. The Netherlands is renowned for its lowlands and canals, many of which wind their way through the city centre and provide ideal scenery for a lovely holiday aboard a boat or barge.

Details & Reservations: Experience Amsterdam
RealAdventures | Netherlands Articles

]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1156174_An-Amsterdam-Adventure http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1156174_An-Amsterdam-Adventure Articles Netherlands Tue, 14 Oct 2008 02:10:32 After several months away from home, I was finally on my way! After a six hour flight I stopped for a brief layover in Amsterdam. I had about five hours, and an insatiable desire to experience my first European city so I tried not to waste time. -
After several months away from home, I was finally on my way! After a six hour flight I stopped for a brief layover in Amsterdam. I had about five hours, and an insatiable desire to experience my first European city so I tried not to waste time.


After several months away from home, I was finally on my way! After a six hour flight I stopped for a brief layover in Amsterdam. I had about five hours, and an insatiable desire to experience my first European city so I tried not to waste time. After landing at Schiphol Airport, I passed through immigration then found my way to the train station, the quickest route I knew about to get to the city center, and I was off to the Central Station. The train stopped at a few other stations first, I had to ask my fellow passengers whether the first station we were approaching was the Central Station or not because I couldnt read the station signs. The people were very helpful and spoke excellent English, luckily for me. When I finally arrived at the Central Station, I was told that my stop was next, and I got off of the train. It was still dark, and I was in need of caffeine and so began my lightning tour of Amsterdam at a coffee shop. I entered and found a vacant table then removed my backpack and set my camera down. As I did so, a number of people entered the establishment and the proprietor asked them for identification. After being satisfied that everyone was of age he set a white wooden box on the counter. I got in line. The box opened to reveal small plastic bags clipped to the inside of the box. On the top of the right side of the box I saw a label that read $12.00 on the top left there was a label reading $25.00. In each bag was a small amount of marijuana. I ordered a cappuccino. After drinking my cappuccino and noticing that daylight was beginning to illuminate the city so I put my pack on, picked up my camera and set off into the city in search of unknown.

Just outside the coffee shop I encountered a man who offered me help, he asked if I was alright, or if I needed something. I told him that I was looking for interesting sights to photograph, and he directed me to the canals. As I walked away, another man told me that the information would cost $10.00. Since it wasnt the man who had assisted me, I kept walking.

I walked through the neighborhoods near the Old Church, finding incredible views everywhere I looked. The canals were fascinating and, as I was informed by a pair of Dutch soldiers I had passed several hours with in the Kuwait City airport once provided transportation routes for boats carrying goods which were stored in the tall houses nearby. During my visit, boats were moored in the canals, but they looked like mostly pleasure and tour boats. As I was walking the streets near the canals I met a man named Glenn who offered to show me better places to take photos. He showed me the way past the Queens Palace and explained that although Amsterdam was the Capital city of The Netherlands, the business of governing the country was conducted at The Hague, and that the Queen did not actually reside at the palace.

In my wanderings, I happened across an open air market located in front of the Waag, where vendors were setting up their products in preparation for the days business. The Waag itself, originally constructed in 1488, now housed a restaurant called Caf in de Waag

I was running short on time so I made my way back to the Central Station and on to the airport where I continued my journey home with a resolve to return and explore the beautiful city further, and the rest of Europe in its turn.

Details & Reservations: An Amsterdam Adventure
RealAdventures | Netherlands Articles

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