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People who have traveled here can probably all agree on one thing: The story
of Amsterdam is the tale of two cities -- one during the day, and a
radically different one at night. While the sun is up, the largest city in
Holland sits quietly on the Amstel River. You can rent a bicycle, visit the
Van Gogh or Anne Frank museums, or take a water taxi.
But when the sun goes down, the partying begins -- in the mega clubs, in
the infamous Red Light district, and in coffee shops where marijuana users
and curious tourists gather to hang out, talk politics and smoke. The plant
is semi-legal here.
Several areas of the city clearly illustrate the two worlds that rule
Amsterdam depending on the time of day. And they are all within a short cab
or tram ride of each other.
For example, Dam Square attracts daytime sightseers to its festivals,
open markets, concerts and other events. Several beautiful hotels are
mainstays there, in addition to the Royal Palace and the Magna Plaza
shopping mall.
Hotels Amsterdam
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 Ramada
Amsterdam City Centre ***
n the beating heart of Amsterdam, at walking distance from Central Station,
you find the Ramada Amsterdam City Centre, the ideal place to be for
business as well as leisure visits. The hotel offers 106 rooms with modern
facilities.
Museums, theatres and the famous Dam Square, as well as extensive shopping
streets are at the hotels doorstep. All public transportation is nearby. |
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Last Minute Hotels Amsterdam |
Walking along Damrak Street and several other side streets toward
Centraal Station, you'll find a shopper's bonanza of clothes, food and
souvenirs.
But as Dam Square darkens for the evening, the party people begin to pack
the Leidseplein neighborhood, beckoned by the call of house music blaring
from Club Paradiso, or hip-hop or funk at the Melkweg. These are two of the
most popular clubs in Europe, frequented by some of the best turntablists in
the world, so if you come, be ready to dance. Hundreds of restaurants and
bars fill the neighborhood; watching the beautiful people flirting with each
other is as entertaining as taking part.
The clubs don't shut down until 4 a.m. Make sure to get back to your
hotel in time to catch some sleep before your next daytime adventure.
While you're here, check out the various inexpensive ways to tour the
city. Don't worry about getting lost. Although Dutch is the official
language, most people in Amsterdam speak English and are happy to help you
with directions.
First there are the tramlines, which run in each direction from Centraal
Station, all the way to the outskirts of the city. They charge by distance,
but a ticket that costs $8 or $9 will go a long way.
Second, you'll notice half the people in the street are on bicycles. They
rent for $17 to $20 for a day.
Finally, Amsterdam has an elaborate canal system. For between $2 and
$9.50, you can use the canal bus or a water taxi to cruise the city while
taking in the picturesque canal house architecture.
Even if you had a late night, it's advisable to start your canal tour
early. There's a lot of ground to cover, and some places, like the Anne
Frank House, have a long line of people waiting to enter.
You might also want to jump out of the Canal Bus at Museumplein and start
walking. The Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk, and the Van Gogh Museum anchor the
area.
As evening falls, the Red Light district is literally lit up in soft, red
lights. Tourists here curiously venture into massage parlors, or flirt with
a wide variety of "hoertjes" -- prostitutes -- sitting in apartment windows.
The women are actually regulated by the government, and even have a
loosely organized union.
The canals and streets in the Red Light district are lined with sex shops
and live sex shows.
After a night of adventure, you might sleep through breakfast the next
morning and wake up with one thought on your mind: Food. Many regard Dutch
cuisine as bland, but there are some unique treats. Try the frites -- french
fries -- commonly dipped in mayonnaise. Frites shops are everywhere and it's
not unusual to catch about a dozen people standing in front of them chatting
and munching on fries or broodjes (sandwiches).
Several restaurants serve the popular Rijstafel, a smorgasbord rooted in
Indonesia's Dutch colonial heritage; mussels are served in most every
upscale eatery, and there are plenty of places to get a variety of thick
pannekoeken (Dutch pancakes). At fish stands, you can try haring or paling
-- pickled herring or eel.
By nighttime, it's party time again. That means hitting Leidseplein,
Rembrandtplein, or the other centers for evening revelry.
Many tourists hanging out in the bars, coffee shops and lounges will be
curious about marijuana use in the Netherlands.
Smoking marijuana is technically illegal here. Individuals are allowed to
possess several grams of marijuana or hashish for personal use; more can get
you arrested. It can be smoked in coffee shops, or at some bars, but it
cannot be used on the streets, sold from person to person, or taken out of
the country. Harder drugs are illegal and their sale or possession carries
stiff penalties. U.S. officials also have a tradition of taking a hard line
against Americans caught overseas on drug charges.
But you will find both experienced and experimental smokers in the
basements and second floors of the coffee shops here, along with heavy
discussions of world politics.
After a few days and nights sampling Amsterdam, it's time to head to
Schipol Airport for the trip home. That can be done by shuttle from your
hotel, or by train from Centraal Station.
Before you go through security, be sure to discard anything that might be
illegal back in the States.
And while you'll need to catch up on your sleep, your trip to Amsterdam
will certainly leave you with the urge to go back for more.
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