Amsterdam is Best Explored by Bicycle

Amsterdam was always on the bottom of my European “wish list.” Why would I go to a city know for legal marijuana smoking and prostitution, I thought. There’s nothing there for me. We scheduled two days in the city, just enough to soak up the sights and get out of there. As soon as we arrived and drove through the lively historic city center, I knew I was mistaken, I could easily spend a week there.

Although the city is quite large, there aren’t many skyscrapers, so it almost has a small town feel. Many residents zip around town on a bicycle, so rented some rusted out bikes of our own and decided to explore the city the way the locals do.

I had spent the summer reading “The Diary of Anne Frank” so the most important thing for me was to visit her home. The line to get into the museum goes down and around the block. Thank goodness I had purchased tickets online, as we were able to bypass hundreds of people in line. It unimaginable to think about what that young girl went through and thousands upon thousands like her. Bring tissue.

After leaving the Anne Frank House with heavy hearts, we decided to visit a very different museum, The Heineken Museum. Beware of bike riding after exploring this attraction as it comes with two free beers, they even have extra cold beer!

To find the Red Light District, you pretty much have to seek it out. After being mugged a few days earlier, we were wary about visiting this area at night, so we peddled over in the afternoon. After a quick walk up and down the road gawking at the women with our mouths wide open, we had seen enough. The women don’t care for female visitors to come stare at them like they are a freak show. A few of them acturally opened their windows to yell at us to leave the area.

After chatting with some business men, we found out that most locals feel that prostitution is a perfectly acceptable career choice for women and do not find it demeaning in any way. I guess we know what district they hang out in during the weekends.

The food in Amsterdam is some of the very best in all of Europe. From Pancakes for lunch, to French fries smothers in mayonnaise.

We ventured just outside of the city center to Jamie Oliver’s restaurant, Fifteeen. The food was not only fabulous, but the renowned chef gives disadvantaged adolescents the chance to gain professional training by working in his restaurant. How cool is that?

We did visit the cities’ famous “coffeeshop.” They are not for everyone but it was an experience and it was quite fun. Besides, it would be like going to Paris and not having a crepe, right?

Amsterdam has become one of my favorite cities. I’m dying to go back when the tulips are blooming.