WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE FALL 2013

ut barely scratched surface. In addition to the major tier of museums,
there are countless others for travelers to experience, including
the Amsterdam Museum that chronicles the city’s evolution
and Joods Historisch Museum in the old Jewish quarter that
explores the history of Judaism in the country.
Prior to our visit, we ordered our tickets online for the Van Gogh
Museum and Anne Frank House. That was a good move since we
walked directly into both museums, past several hundred visitors
waiting in the rain to buy tickets. Another reason to get tickets in
advance is that both these venues tend to sell
out early.
Another good option is to buy a Holland Pass.
It includes a choice of up to seven free and
reduced entrance tickets for public transportation
and major attractions including the
Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, canal
cruises and the Heineken Experience - all
without waiting in line. (Unfortunately the
Anne Frank House is not included.) Holland
Passes are 30 and 65 euros and available online
at www.hollandpass.com.
Transportation
Think bicycles when you think Amsterdam;
they are the quintessential Dutch way of getting
from here to there. To the Dutch they
symbolize social freedom, but they are also
practical. High parking fees and gas prices
make driving a car in the city very expensive.
The close proximity of neighborhoods, flat
terrain and dedicated bike lanes make riding
a bike a no brainer. Even commuters keep a
bike locked on the sea of bike racks outside
train stations so they can pedal to work.
Warning! Although pedestrians are supposed
to have right of way, most bike riders ignore
that fine legal point and may run you down if
you get in their way. Never cross the street or
a bike path without looking … a sweet old lady
on a rusty two wheeler just may knock you
down.
You might want to take the offense and start
peddling around town. There are bike rental
places around Amsterdam, but the best way to
be introduced to the two wheel club is to take
a Yellow Bike tour. They have friendly experienced
guides who will lead groups of up to
eight all around the city. The guides show the
safe way to ride while sharing the fascinating
story of Amsterdam over the years.
Public transit is excellent with frequent rail, and bus service to
just about anywhere. There is a commuter information center
just outside the central train station where you can get maps, information
and tickets. The lines to the information folks may be
long, so it would behoove travelers to do their homework online
in advance to get schedules, ticket and destination information.
We took the train from Schiphol Airport to center city and to
then light rail trolley to our hotel without problem. Except for
lugging heavy suitcases on and off the rail cars, the passage wasn’t
too painful – even with jet lag setting in.
There are information booths, city employees, police and volunteers
scattered in and outside the station to help dazed new arrivals.
But don’t hesitate to ask a stranger, especially if they look like
they know where they are. Most everyone will speak English and, if
they aren’t lost themselves, will probably help out.
One other important detail: Make sure you have some local coins
for the restrooms at the station and in public venues. While you’re
in the airport, buy a candy bar or a newspaper
and ask the cashier for change. Then you’ll be
ready when you need it.
The Red Light District
I can’t say I’ve experienced anything like Amsterdam’s
notorious Red Light District. For
the adventurous and the open minded, it can
be enjoyable experience. It’s not necessarily
as erotic as it is exotic, a semi-sleazy street
celebration like one you might find in New Orleans
without the hurricane glasses attached
to falling down drunks. You’ll even find a museum
dedicated to the erotic here with lots of
images of folks doing what comes naturally –
mostly – as well as several of John Lennon’s
erotic lithographs.
Among all of these adult goings on is the Oude
Kerk, an ancient wooden chapel built in 1306. The oldest in the
city, it once had 38 altars each with its own guild-sponsored priest.
Saskia, Rembrandt’s wife, was buried here in 1642. Today the
church is mostly used as an art exhibition center.
Coffee Houses
If you’re looking for a good cup of java, Amsterdam’s coffee houses
may not be your cup of tea. The ones here are licensed to sell and
offer a comfortable and relatively safe place to partake of mariphoto
courtesy Yellow Bike Amsterdam
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