Amsterdam - a city for all seasons and reasons
Written: Oct 08 '09 (Updated Oct 12 '09)
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Pros: Easily accessible from the US and other parts of the world. A compact city!
Cons: Accommodations are expensive, but you could stay in the surrounding areas for less!
The Bottom Line: Amsterdam: truly the city for all seasons! Whatever the weather you will surely find many things to do and enjoy. A compact city, you will be able walk around it.
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| reginafug's Full Review: Amsterdam |
Picturesque Amsterdam, famous for its canals, culture, museums, decadent nightlife, and the list goes on! One thing is certain, Amsterdam is one of the most diverse and exciting cities on the continent. In my opinion, what makes Amsterdam interesting is the diversity of its citizens, freedom, open-minded attitudes, beautiful architecture, and of course, history!
Historical Amsterdam
The history of Amsterdam began in the 13th century when it is said that two fishermen and their dog, landed on the shores of the River Amstel. Amsterdam became one of the wealthiest cities in the world, and in the 17th century, the Flying Dutchmen (Dutch ships) sailed to Indonesia, Brazil, and Africa, from whence they acquired massive riches. This period also brought Rembrandt, the construction of canals, and the world's first stock exchange!
Most recently, the psychodelic era of the hippie generation in the 1960's put Amsterdam back on the "fame" radar for reasons other than culture and amazing architecture. Amsterdam became the city of tolerance for soft drugs and the sex industry (Red Light District), and I need not say anything more, as the reader knows exactly what what this "fame" is all about!
Today, visit Amsterdam because it has so much to offer!
Amsterdam is extremely tiny compared to other major cities in Europe, so tiny that one can walk from north to south in less than 45 minutes and from east to west in even less time. Why is that possible? Thanks to its "crescent" shape and unique semi-circular canals, the city is easily walked about just by crossing the many canal bridges.
What's the weather like?
To tell the truth, the weather in Amsterdam is strange. I have been fortunate to visit this remarkable city in all seasons, and while the seasons are quite distinct, the weather constantly changes.
Winter: The funny thing is that even the cold winters are interspersed with gorgeous days when the mornings are drenched in sunshine and one sees the locals immediately peeling off layers of clothing which are kept in handy tote bags, and restaurants quickly bring out tables to the sidewalks, and everyone sits out there basking in the sun! As soon as the sun is covered by clouds and the temperatures drop, those layers of clothes quickly come back on, and the tables quickly go back inside!
If you have never given a thought to visiting Amsterdam in winter, know that when snow falls the canals are even more beautiful, giving it a surreal "black and white photograph" atmosphere. The Dutch make the best of any weather, but the winter is truly an enjoyable time of year in this fascinating city.
Then, there is Christmas, a time for lights and decorations, which truly give the city a magnificent mood! Christmas shopping is so much fun here, especially at Bijenkorf, Amsterdam's most elegant department store located in Dam Square, or the small shops found outside the main tourist areas, catering to the die-hard Christmas fans.
A few years back, purely by chance, we arrived in the center of Amsterdam the day Saint Nicholas arrived to Amsterdam. This was and still is an amazing event, which, as you can imagine, brings hoards of people to the center of the city. It's a parade like no other, and St. Nicholas arrives by ship, and upon landing, he rides on a white horse through the city center; followed by his helpers, and at least ten marching bands and hundreds of festive marchers. This parade (first came to be in 1932) usually takes place the third week in November, very similar to the NYC's Thanksgiving, and the parades kicks off the Christmas shopping season; it is a televised event, etc! The Christmas season is perhaps the best time to visit if you have children; children and Christmas go hand-in hand in Amsterdam. The holiday was made for kids.
Spring: a lovely time of year to visit, and the time to appreciate Holland's most famous flower (although not a Dutch original), the tulip, seen in every garden, private or public. Unfortunately, drizzling rain is ever present, but with a raincoat and umbrella handy, you can still enjoy the beauty of spring in this beautiful city. The soft colors of spring seen in every tender shoot and flower, permeates the city with a softness not seen any other time of year.
Summer: Amsterdammers truly embrace the warm weather, and any excuse or opportunity to enjoy the outdoors is never missed. Summer can be stifling, not so much by very high temperatures, as it seldom gets past 90F, but mostly because humidity is high and the odors that emanate from the canals can sometimes be very unpleasant.
However, if visiting in the summer, make an effort to ignore those unpleasantries and enjoy the city. Also, do take advantage of the many open-air theaters and gardens, outdoor concerts (classical and contemporary music), but also know that summer brings the crowds to Amsterdam.
Fall: Early autumn is perhaps the best time to visit Amsterdam, in my opinion, as the days tend to be sunny, the air crisp and dry, and the skies brilliant blue. Late autumn, however, brings back the drizzling rain and lower temperatures.
Amsterdam's Key Districts
When walking around Amsterdam, it's hard to get away from the history that surrounds the city: make the most of it by pounding the pavement, and stopping to marvel at the beauty of a building's gable, a canal, a shop, the options are unlimited!
1. Dam Square
As the name suggests, this is a dam, and it was the first dam built in 1270, and it served as the first connection between the settlements on each side of the River Amstel. Today, Dam Square is the place where everyone meets, a place for free concerts, the place to go for New Year's eve, in fact, it's the place to just hang out!
Surrounding Dam Square one finds the National War Monument (a memorial for the victims of WWII), the Royal Palace, the 15th century Gothic Nieuwe Kerk (the new church), and the Madame Tussaud's Museum.
2. Leidseplein (Leiden Square)
This is the fun (clean fun) nightlife area of the city illuminated by neon lights, and where restaurants, cafes, theaters, and clubs pulse with energy. Here you will see street musicians, jugglers, fire-eaters, and other oddities that make Leiden Square a lively place until the wee hours, especially in summer. There is a beautiful, ancient-looking carrousel, that is fun for the young and old!
During the winter months a fun skating rink is operational, and of course, the Christmas market cannot be missed. The best Dutch Apple pie paired with a great cappuccino is in order at the Café Americain (part of the Eden American Hotel)!
3. Museumplein (Museum Square)
Perhaps the city's most beautiful section; the architecture of the buildings is truly visually rewarding, but as the name suggests, this is where you find the bulk of Amsterdam's world-renowned museums, such as the Van Gogh Museum, The Rijksmuseum, and of course, a girl's dream come true, diamond factories galore! Even if you don't buy anything, it's fun to look at the displays... go ahead... window drool!
4. Rembrandtplein (Rembrandt Square)
Another famous area of the city that is replete with cafes, bars, and bright lights at night. However, the area is most famous for a past resident, painter Rembrandt, who lived here.
In this district, you will find the house painter Rembrandt purchased in 1639. The three-story house is now a museum and this is where he lived and painted. Sadly, all of his belongings were sold to pay his debtors when he went bankrupt, so there isn't much in the house that truly belonged to him. There are no paintings here, except for the etchings (and you learn about the process of making etchings) which are found on the third floor. Although there are no Rembrandt paintings here, it is truly worthwhile to visit Rembrandthuis to learn about the master.
My Tips for an Enjoyable Visit
The Venice of the North, as Amsterdam is often referred to, is a collection of amazing sights, sounds, and yes, even smells. Because of sensory overload (there is too much to see and do), it is sometimes easy to miss the fact that Amsterdam is aesthetically beautiful, and if you are in a rush to visit all the key museums and such, you will miss out on some beautiful external sights. I suggest spending at least three full days in Amsterdam to appreciate the city's highlights.
1. Appreciate the beauty of Amsterdam's Canals
Walk about the canals (grachts). The city's unique crescent layout makes it easy to navigate on foot. The three main canals are Prinsengracht, Herengracht, and Keizersgracht. A stroll along these canals is highly recommended, especially when the weather is pleasant. Strolling is a marvelous way to take in the sights of the city, visit one of the many cafes along the way and sip a beverage, or have a meal.
2. Amsterdam's Unique Houses
The beauty of Amsterdam's canal houses is probably one of the most endearing features of the city. Some of these houses, built along side the canals, were the homes of wealthy citizens, and the most beautiful examples are found along the canals mentioned above (#1). Others houses are more modest dwellings, still, not without charming features.
The Dutch canal-house architecture is characterized by narrow and tall facades, often crowned by an intricate gable top. There is a vast range of these gables, and I cannot tire of photographing these amazing homes. If you want to capture the feeling of staying in a beautiful (but narrow) canal home, book a room at the Hotel Pulitzer on Prinsengracht.
3. Cruising the canals
However, if your feet hurt, or you really want to learn more about the famous canals, then take a guided canal tour offered by many companies in the city. Perhaps clichéd, but in my opinion, there is no better way to see Amsterdam than by boat. A day tour is essential to appreciate the city's unique architecture, and a night cruise is fun, because you can appreciate the city lights and perhaps enjoy a sumptuous meal onboard (if you book such a cruise).
4. Photographic Opportunities
Amsterdam is a photographer's dream come true, simply because there is so much going on, amazing architecture, color of lights, and bicycles... how many bicycles can you photograph? You will be surprised!
Essential Information:
Language:
Dutch is the official language, of course, and almost everyone speaks fluent English. Amsterdammers are fiercely proud of being bilingual or even tri-lingual, unlike my American compatriots, I'm sorry to say, but that's another topic!
Airport:
Amsterdam's Schiphol airport in less than 20 minutes by train from Amsterdam's Centraal Station. Schiphol is the fourth largest airport in Europe and the tenth largest in the world. In my opinion, this is one of the most user-friendly airports; it is modern and offers many conveniences not found in other airports.
Money:
The mighty Euro rules and the US dollar is only accepted at the Money Changers. Though many hotels will take USD, they'll rip you off on the exchange. ATM machines are everywhere, so no need to lose money on the exchange.
"I Amsterdam Card" (Tourist Card): A very useful tool purchased in 24-hour increments and it allows access to public transportation, free entrance or discounts to museums, restaurants, and some shops. The best option is the 72 hours card, which sells for € 53. The card is sold practically everywhere, to include smoke/newspaper stands found throughout the city.
No Smoking!
The "No Smoking" rule is strictly enforced in all public places (bars, restaurants, museums), etc., and while this may be inconvenient for some, for us non-smokers, it is such a relief! Now, I can taste and smell my food, rather smell and taste someone's cigarette smoke.
Transportation:
Getting around the city is so easy (though walking is cheaper) via trams, trains, horse drawn taxis, bicycle taxis, and of course, you can rent a bicycle on just about every corner.
Conclusion:
Amsterdam certainly is a city for all seasons and reasons! A visit should not be rushed but enjoyed. It doesn't really matter what time of year you visit, and whatever the weather, there will be something going on, something to amaze you, and most certainly something to photograph!
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Friends
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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