"Amsterdam, Where The Wind Blows..." Amsterdam by Goldenboy

Amsterdam Travel Guide: 12,426 reviews and 20,136 photos

Take a deep breath, and step out!

As you know… Amsterdam, the Netherlands' capital, is one of the world's best hangouts, a place where we can immerse ourself in history, in art, in the head of a beer or a self-rolled smokestack. Guess its gay capital also! Amsterdam combines a huge case of big city exuberance with small-town manageability; it doesn't take much more than chaining our bike to a bridge to feel like you've got a handle on the place. Its also a cosmopolitan cauldron which has been enticing migrants and nonconformists for decades. It's going on the number of expats trying to bike around like locals. Amsterdam seems to thrive on its funky mix, and there's very little of the tourist-fatigue which can take the happy edge off other LOB (lots of backpacks) cities. Perhaps this is because Amsterdam's quintessential Dutchness shines through: the 17th- and 18th-century architecture, the fleets of bicycles, the tree-lined canals and scattered parks all contribute to the mood of the city. As do the pavement-logs - Dutchies love their pooches and this is one of the squish 'n' squirm capitals of the world. What makes Amsterdam, and Netherlands close to me is there still a “Pasar Malam” (night market) occasionally, where I can talk to Surinamese in Javanese language. Think its makes me feels at home!

Too bad, I never enjoying Queen's Day, on 30 April, the day to be in Amsterdam – where there's a free market, street parties, live music and lots of beer. And I think Amsterdam is sooo rich with festival and parade…

Taste a new experience!

Shoes by dutchmen

The Netherlands has managed to combine liberal attitudes with one of the most orderly societies on earth, in a community that manages to be radical and sensible without being silly or staid. The Dutch aren't bogged in their clichés, even though bikes, dykes, windmills and blazing flower fields are pretty much the norm outside the major cities.

Forget about wilderness in the Netherlands. This is Europe's most densely populated country, but it feels like the most organised place in the world. The western hoop of cities including Amsterdam, the Hague and Rotterdam is one of the most densely populated conurbations on earth, and even out of this area it doesn't get exactly isolated. Towns often blur from one to the next, linked by highways and bicycle paths. Neat, flat, muddy fields and tame and pleasant woodlands act as buffers; there are even places where you can hear the twittering of birds above the constant traffic drone.

Be safe, be free! Its Amsterdam

Look out!

The Netherlands is easy to travel in and the locals are friendly and speak excellent English, but towns are still surrounded by canals and castle walls, the endlessly flat landscape which inspired the nation's early artists still stretches unbroken to the horizons, and the dykes still occasionally threaten to give way. Btw, Netherlands has a temperate maritime climate. Because the Netherlands is such a flat slab of a place, changes sweep through quickly when the wind starts to blow.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Rich on history, parade, arts
Cons:Too crowded
In a nutshell:Definitely free!

Last visit to Amsterdam: Oct 2004
Intro Updated Nov 19, 2004
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Comments (11)

irishgalmtl Oct 2, 2006 at 1:22 AM Report Abuse

Hi, Paul nice pg on Amsterdam Thank you for the tips...Donna :-)
globetrott Apr 30, 2006 at 10:50 AM Report Abuse

oh yes, cycling could be a great idea in Amsterdam !
jayhawk2000 May 22, 2005 at 8:11 AM Report Abuse

beautiful by night, isn't it??
ettenaj Feb 7, 2005 at 2:09 PM Report Abuse

So its not all windmills and tulips then???
Boniunia Jul 26, 2004 at 1:45 PM Report Abuse

LOL! I can't imagine either! But I can give a try! :)))))))) Welcome to Amsterdam Paul!
o00o Jun 17, 2004 at 12:42 PM Report Abuse

Finally i know you are hiding in the heaven........ still not preparing to Japan?
frenchlondon Oct 17, 2003 at 9:10 AM Report Abuse

Excellent page. Glad you like by Amsterdam by night page ;-)
dikkie_moi Sep 25, 2003 at 1:07 AM Report Abuse

Nice story about Amsterdam. Salam dr Rotterdam
ukirsari Apr 8, 2002 at 5:08 AM Report Abuse

Cool page!Tapi mentang-mentang di Belanda jadi serba oranye y
floss1 Apr 3, 2002 at 9:37 PM Report Abuse

Thanx for the info!!!