Amsterdam - Europe Like You've Never Seen it Before

 Amsterdam is a city like no other, steeped in culture and a cultural mix unseen anywhere in Europe. Apparently, Amsterdam has the largest concentration of museums when compared to any other city in the world. With its stunning Canal views, charming and cheap coffee shops, a tongue-in-cheek sex tourism business and European charm, this is one of those destinations that the Wish Traveler recommends that you go to at least once in your lifetime. Let’s examine a couple of things about this multicultural city that makes it a hit as far as European travel holidays are concerned. 

Getting to Amsterdam

You can book direct flights to Amsterdam from the US by using carriers such as Lufthansa and Delta  Airlines. The Amsterdam Airport is known as Schipol International Airport, and it usually takes 7 hours if you catch a flight from New York’s JFK Airport. Expect to pay around $1200 for a round trip ticket. This figure is a rough estimate, so please check with your local tour operator for exact fare prices.

Getting Around

Picture courtesy geotypico.com

The Amsterdam weather is cool enough for you to walk around lightly dressed, but this depends on the time of year. If you’re looking for that great warm weather and longer days, you’d be better off visiting Amsterdam anywhere between April and September. At the same time, if you’re looking for great bargains all round in terms of cheap airfare, hotel and food prices, then pack up your bags and head on down to this fabulous European city between late October and early March. 

Here’s a couple of places that you should check out while here:

The Anne Frank Museum

Picture courtesy thegirlfromtheghetto.wordpress.com

This is a place that tells the story of Ann Frank, a Jewish girl who escaped persecution from the Nazis during World War II. She hid with her family in a cramped house and religiously kept a diary that spoke of her thoughts of what it meant to be a girl blossoming with the passage of time, and what she thought about the invasion and persecution happening around her. She is one brave girl, and I'm hoping that this this museum will leave you with many questions about what you’ve done to give back to the environment you live in. 

Picture courtesy public.fotki.com

The Vincent Van Gogh Museum

The museum is a loving tribute of the 19^th century artist and painter who captured the art world and transcended many boundaries, helping people understand abstract art. Some of the masterpieces you can find here include The Sunflowers, The Bedroom in Arles and the Potato Eaters. If you want to visit this architectural marvel of a museum, early mornings are the best time given the crowds that throng the museum later on in the day.

The Best in Amsterdam Hotels 

Some great choices include Hotel Okura and Hotel Pulitzer . The former is located next to the canals, offering magical views of verdant gardens. Rooms start at 224 Euros, and has a hotel boat that takes visitors down Amsterdam’s canals to savor the beauty of this section of the city.

Picture courtesy intlenglish.info

If you’re feeling adventurous, check out the Red Light District, where women of different nationalities gesture at you from their lit windows, promising a night of excitement and unbridled passion, courtesy of the booming and legalized sex business. This is an adults-only section of the city, so if you are planning a family vacation, then this probably isn’t the best place to take your kids.

 

However, the many coffee shops situated along the canals are great places to unwind while drinking authentic European beer and taking in the sights, smells and sounds of one of Europe’s old and enchanting cities.

The Wish Traveler hopes you have an amazing time in Amsterdam!