"Amsterdam: There is no other city like it" Amsterdam by davequ

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

Gravenstraat behind Nieuwkerk - Amsterdam

Welkom

Well, I'm near the end and I
....just ain't got the time . .

.....& I'm wasted and I...
can't find my way home.........
© Blind Faith

a short, high-level list...

Art; moody & genuine 17th-century architecture; atmosphere; peaceful canals; food, bicycles, history, chocolate; interesting conversation; shopping; lifestyles; trichomes; surprises:
Amsterdam has it all ....whatever you desire ...

Some of my Amsterdam faves:

The Rijksmuseum; The van Gogh; Dutch restaurants & cafes; cruisin' on a bike through the Vondelpark; Indonesian rice tables (rijstaffel); the brown cafes & peaceful canals; even the Red Light District;

If you can't find good times and fun in Amsterdam - good luck finding it anywhere.

If you are an Amsterdam veteran, for fun take a "virtual" walk at the link below:

In the opening picture above, (you are behind the New Church, facing west on Gravenstraat:)
If you know where you are:
If you want to keep walking...
click here:
Walking west on Gravenstraat towards Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal and into the Jordaan

Few cities look or feel like this

Vreedzaam kanaal, één van velen.

The way old Dutch architecture folds into canals and houseboats.

Despite what people say about the traffic (it is true) I think it is fun, peaceful and beautiful to walk, or even better, explore leisurely on a bicycle.
I stay off the main drags on my bike and instead cycle the canal routes like Prinsengracht.

With its narrow houses

Een smal huis in Jordaan.

One of the little houses west of Prinsengracht in the Jordaan I passed on a morning walk.

Hope you enjoy the pages, and say hi (doei) if you like.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Art; architecture, rijstafels, canals and bicycles
Cons:Hotels in centrum can be small, noisy & expensive; tolerance being challenged by prejudice and hatred; TOO many insensitive, singleminded drug & sex tourists are 'poisoning the well'
In a nutshell:I still like Amsterdam - one of the great European cities

Last visit to Amsterdam: Sep 2003
Intro Updated Nov 4, 2011
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Reviews (50)

Lekker! Babi Pangang © Copyright Tine Verheyden - Amsterdam

Louis / NoeHill Recommendation of the... Restaurants (9)

Just for fun I will occasionally share an Amsterdam restaurant recommendation from the venerable Louis Bryan @... more travel advice

Be picky Tourist Traps (2)

You can throw things if you want, but I think the canal cruises you get by Centraal station are a... more travel advice

Demonstrations on Dam Square - Amsterdam

Demonstrations on Dam Square Local Customs (1)

Seems there is always some type of demonstration originating from Dam Square. more travel advice

Rent a bike.... a must Transportation (3)

The first thing I will always do after I get off the train at Centraal, is walk to frederic on Brouwersgracht and rent a... more travel advice

Things to Do (16)
See All Westerkerk from the Terrace
Shopping (4)
See All Albert Heijn
What to Pack (1)
Paraplu
Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Day trip to Zandvoort

Travelogues (5)

1 - 4 of 5

Comments (33)

dutchgerry Jan 24, 2008 at 8:51 PM Report Abuse

I actually was born in a house you took a picture of in the Reestraat(nr 17) ; Nostalgia... I could tell you stories... Gerry
Glorija Jan 25, 2007 at 2:20 PM Report Abuse

Must admit u have some pretty nice pic on vt pages. Anyhow Amsterdam is surley a place wich I will visit soon. Enjoy, G
jo104 Aug 16, 2006 at 6:00 AM Report Abuse

I enjoyed your tips on Amsterdam its one of my favourite places
Nemorino Aug 2, 2006 at 2:10 PM Report Abuse

Highly evocative texts and photos! I think it's great that you got to meet Louis H. Bryan. And yours is the only Theda Bara quote that I have seen thus far on VT. I went to Amsterdam in May, rented a bike and had a fine time riding around.
ImkerVS Jun 4, 2006 at 8:10 PM Report Abuse

Dave, I enjoy your tips. They are as unique as Amsterdam.
Amelei May 20, 2006 at 4:05 AM Report Abuse

Loved amsterdam, or what i can remember of it. I like your pics, brings me back to those days of walking around in a haze of 'what the?'..... :-) Amelie
johngayton Jul 28, 2005 at 9:56 AM Report Abuse

I wholeheartedly agree with you about the Roode Leeuw, it is my personal favourite.
slabeaume Mar 24, 2005 at 7:42 PM Report Abuse

really neat walking tour. !
excitableone Mar 6, 2005 at 4:45 PM Report Abuse

excellent tips and a great read.makes me excited to go back,thanks for sharing.
maple_air Feb 18, 2005 at 11:27 AM Report Abuse

very helpful tips, thank you! i hope i'd be lucky to have a good weather as you've had when you were there, in 2 weeks time ;D