There are actually more canals in Amsterdam (165) than Venice (150). The canals are part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
A number of these canals have been painted by famous artists like Claude Monet.
There are over a thousand bridges in Amsterdam.
Along the canals are narrow homes and buildings no more than five stories high. The 17th century began a taxing system whereby a house was taxed on its width. It was cheaper to have a narrower house. One house we saw was but a tad over six feet—Singel 7.
Kathie and I visited Amsterdam in June of 2019. There is an intense energy, a vibrant society in this famous European city of 800,000. Walking around from one alley to another gives you a superb perspective on how 177 different nationalists can live together.
We came across many restaurants and shops. There is a mall close to the train station called “Magna.” We came across this interesting photo:
Staying in Amsterdam can be expensive. We decided to stay in an Airbnb apartment. If you go on-line there are hundreds of apartments. Book early to get your favorite one.
It was only $150 a night compared to a $400 hotel room. We were given detailed instructions by the friendly owner. There were a number of beverages left for us in the refrigerator. Being early June, there was no need for AC—a fan also helped move the air. There were a few quirks about our apartment like the 20 or so very narrow steps up to the “1st Floor.” Also, the bathroom was down “the hall” while the shower was next to the kitchen. The price, though, was exceptional.
Close by our apartment, was Amsterdam’s “Foodhallen.” An old train depot was converted to shops, businesses and is filled with food vendors.
It was at the Foodhallen that Kathie and I were introduced to “Padron” peppers. From the northwest of Spain, these bright green peppers are absolutely delicious—mostly sweet. Of course, there is an occasional one which is “hot” as we found out in Copenhagen.
We had an option to stay in one of the 2500 houseboats along the canals.
There are three times as many bicycles in Amsterdam than there are cars—and more bikes than people.
You have to be extremely careful walking in Amsterdam and not stray in the “bicycle lane.” By hurting a bicyclist, you can actually be sued and there are some very fast bicyclists too.
Talking to a tour guide, this woman has owned four bikes. Three have been stolen. She now rides a real “cheap one.”
And when you think you have mastered how to maneuver around the bicyclists, this guy comes along.
You can get to Amsterdam anywhere from Europe, and a direct flight from the USA. The Amsterdam’s airport—Schiphol—is well connected to Amsterdam’s famous train station.
The Amsterdam train station is regarded as one of the best architecturally designed places. There are multiple business inside. On the opposite side is where you can catch the free ferries and the local buses to outlying communities.
The only negative we found is they “charge” for using the toilets. In this case .80 cents.
From the train station, there is a well-thought-out metro system connecting to 39 different areas of the city. We purchased tickets beforehand for multiple days. You just have to make sure to slide your ticket against the machine to validate the ride.
We took a three-hour train from Bruges, Belgium to arrive in Amsterdam. Bruges, too, has beautiful canals—but not as many.
You can describe Amsterdam as being “liberated.” However, this freedom is controlled. For example, cannabis is only sold in “Coffee shops.” Smoking in restaurants and cafés are prohibited.
The famous “Red Light District” where women and men offer their “services” is in a designated area. Taking pictures is prohibited and I, the guru of pictures, did not take a single one in this area!
Recently in the summer of 2020, the “De Wallen” district–also called the Red Light District–has been hit hard due to Covid19. The intimate contacts are no longer. Authorities are even looking to move this activity outside the city! We will see…
Two months before leaving home, you should go on-line and get your Anne Frank House tickets.
You can select your time and date. If you go in the summer without a ticket, there is a good chance you may not get it.
Going to the Anne Frank House is a “must activity.” I was there in 1985 when not many people were around. I decided not to go. It would be 34 years before I ever got back to Amsterdam.
The canal house, where Anne lived with her family and four other people, was written about in her famous diary. They lived in isolation for 761 days. It does provide a perspective for us while we are “hibernating” from Covid-19. They could never go outside like we can.
A Dutch informer ratted them out and they all were sent to Nazi concentration camps. Anne never came back, but her father did. The diary was found and was published in 1947. Besides having to wait in a very long line as you wind through the house, which is the only “bad” point about the tour, you cannot take pictures inside the house!
In 1959 the story of Anne Frank was made into a movie which won three Oscars. I did “sneak” this pic of an Oscar awarded to Shelley Winters for “Best Supporting Actress.” Actually, the pic was taken from a room adjacent to the Frank’s House–I don’t feel too guilty.
Down the street and around the corner is one of our favorite restaurants, “Black and Blue.” We went there for lunch—twice. Delicious hamburgers, roasted vegetables and salads.
On-line we made reservations to see the famous Vincent van Gogh Museum. It’s better if you can get an early entry time, as this museum does fill up with people.
We were able to see some famous paintings without having to look over someone’s shoulder. The two pictures below of me were taken in the main foyer where large “projection” pictures were shown:
Once again, pictures are not allowed in the museum.
Supported by a benevolent brother, Vincent van Gogh was considered to be “a failure and a madman.” He did over 2000 pieces of artwork, 860 were oil paintings. He did 39 self-portraits–why? He could not afford a model, so he drew himself. What is believed to be “depression,” he shot himself in 1890.
In 2008 we visited the famous Impressionist Museum of Musee d”Orsay in Paris. Outside the museum were a number of banners with a famous portrait of Claude Monet. I said to Kathie, “Let’s find Monet’s portrait!” For the next hour we go from one floor to another looking for Monet’s illusive portrait. Finally, I get enough courage up to ask at the desk. There were three good looking docents. I asked them politely “where is the Claude Monet portrait located?” They looked at me in bewilderment. One kindly says, “We don’t have a Monet portrait. But, we do have a Vincent van Gogh portrait on the fourth floor.”
In the café pictures are allowed. I found one of the best all-time chocolate chip cookies. This chef knows how to make them: burnt! My only regret is that I only purchased one cookie.
Close by is the famous “Rijksmuseum.” It is the most visited museum in the Netherlands with more than two million visitors a year. An on-line ticket is the best, and you do not need to specify actual time.
The museum has over 8,000 objects. Obviously, Rembrandt is featured. Once again, you need to arrive early or late to see Rembrandt’s 1642 famous painting called “Night Watch.”
For whatever reason, I liked Jan Asselijn’s 1650 painting of the “Angry Swan.” It portrays a very upset swan, probably trying to protect her nest from a dog.
We would recommend the café at the Rijksmuseum. It was a pleasant time sitting and enjoying a cup of coffee. Taking time to relax and take in the sights and ambiance is important.
The Dutch Golden Age was in the 17th century when this small nation colonized around the world, i.e. New York for example. The oldest part of the city dates back to the 9th century. Amsterdam was known as a city by the early 1300’s.
There are three “X’s” on an Amsterdam flag. They are St. Andrew crosses—to honor a saint who died on one of these crosses. It does not signify the “Red Light District.”
Now the boat tours will tell you that the X’s represent “fire, floods and black plague”—all problems that affected Amsterdam. The X’s were also used on the coat of arms.
We found taking a cruise tour was one of our highlights visiting this famous city. We recommend for a larger canal boat the “LOVE” company. They not only take you in the canals but also in the large channel by the train station.
An intimate boat tour is with a smaller company. We found this company–Flagship—by Anne Frank’s home. Going into the smaller canals, under bridges, seeing homes that date back hundreds of years is to us–exciting.
We did learn where “Freddy Heineken” patronized—Hotel De L ‘Europe. Walking through this luxury hotel—don’t mind the doorman—is free. Having a beer at the bar—where the owner of Heineken patronized– is not—but the ambiance is entertaining, and you get peanuts and crackers.
In 1983 Freddy was kidnapped causing quite a sensation. He was finally released after his family paid $15 million dollars to his captors—who were eventually caught.
In the later afternoon, a piano man plays. Frank had just come back from a trip to Norway and could not stop talking about the great time he had. Frank is wonderful at the piano.
Through the boat tours we saw the “hooks” on many buildings used to hoist furniture up.
We thought the “Blue Angel” to be absolutely beautiful piece of artwork.
There are “FREE” ferries on backside of the train station. One of the ferries will take you to where “I Love Amsterdam” sign is located. It does make a wonderful picture. You just have to be patient.
Another free ferry takes one over to a neighborhood. Many of the homes are actually train “containers.” It provides low cost alternatives to young people.
On the way back we saw this interesting architecturally designed building. Looks like everyone got a view of the water!
As of 2019, there is an historic Russian submarine in one of the channels. The sub was built circa 1956. It was first purchased by Dutch submarine enthusiasts back in 1991. It does make an interesting picture.
Our first side trip, outside the city, was to a small village called Edam—famous for its cheese. The bus can be had from the top level of the backside of the train station.
We spent another morning going to a town called Haarlem (like NYC). It is only 15-minute ride and a good alternative area to stay.
In the center of town is the famous Cathedral of St. Bavo. It was in this church at the age of 10 that Mozart played the organ in 1766.
On Saturdays, there is an entertaining market by the Cathedral. Well worth seeing and buying items.
Our sojourn to Amsterdam was but five days. We could have easily done more. You just can’t see everything. We went by bus, #397, to fly-out of Schiphol airport:
Our future plans is someday come back to their famous “Tulip Festival” which is in late April.
