Category Archive: Netherlands

Things to Do and Avoid in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a lot to offer any globetrotter. Tulip fields, the Heineken experience, Anne Frank House, and the Red Light District are only a handful of activities that come to mind when I recall my 3-day trip to Amsterdam. Here’s how to get the most out of this colorful city:

5 MUST DO IN AMSTERDAM

1. Anne Frank House: This museum is the real former house of Anne Frank and her family during the years of Nazi occupation in Holland. You MUST book tickets well in advance because it is a small museum. They are strict about letting people in at the correct date/time. As soon as you know you’re going to Amsterdam, book these tickets. It is absolutely worth the 10 euros.
2. Red Light District: A red-light district is an area of a city with a concentration of prostitution, sex shops, and adult theaters. Not your thing? That’s okay. I would still recommend walking through the area at night just to see what it’s about because it’s eye-opening—no participation necessary. Although, if you’re traveling with kids, it certainly isn’t a PG experience.
3. Museum quarter: Amsterdam of some of the most famous artists in history, from Rembrandt and Van Gogh. Even if you’re not a history or art buff, you should explore the museum quarter and browse at least one museum/gallery to see great artworks of amazing artists.

CONSIDER AVOIDING:

1. Free cheese museum: Just a small room with a few cheese samples.  
2. Windmill Park: Far from the city and full of tourists.
3. Largest swing in Europe: Only 5 euros but ends up being an additional 20 to get there.
4. Free Walking Tour: I generally love these tours in all the cities I’ve been to, but we experienced a really disorganized group. Although, it could have just been the day/those tour guides.
5. Keukenhof Gardens: I still have mixed feelings about this, but if you’re looking for the expansive Dutch tulip fields you’ve seen pictures of then you won’t find them in Keukenhof Gardens or Amsterdam in general. Altogether, this ended up being a 40-euro venture and a large portion of our trip when it really didn’t measure up to expectations. Only go to the garden if you’re looking to spend at least a few hours in a place with lots of flowers in cool patterns/patches.

Something else to think about: the Heineken Experience. Although I was not able to fit this into my quick trip, I intend to do the Heineken Experience, a tour of the brewing facility, if I ever return to Amsterdam. Check it out if you’re a fan of the lager!

Overall, Amsterdam is an amiable city with activities for every type of personality. If any of the above sounds intriguing to you, visit Amsterdam for experiences you’ll never forget.

This is a guest post.

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7 Common Stereotypes about Dutch People

This article is written by Isabelle,  a culture expert of all thing Dutch. She hails from the tulip, Heineken, and cheese nation, a real Dutch. When she’s not busy with school, work and contemplate about what it’s like to be Dutch, she jumps on any adventures to places further East.

1. The Dutch are stoned all the time

This might be the most common stereotype about Dutch people, or at least something they are infamous for. However, the fact that soft drugs are more or less legalized in the Netherlands actually contributes to the lower numbers of addicts and users compared to the high percentage, almost twice as high, of soft drug users in the USA.