Amsterdam

One Day in Giethoorn, the Dutch fairytale village without roads

April 19, 2022 by Karen Turner 14 Comments

You’ve probably seen photos online of the prettiest village in the Netherlands, Giethoorn. Visiting Giethoorn from Amsterdam is a doable day trip from Amsterdam if you’re patient enough to spend two hours getting there independently.

I personally preferred staying overnight at Giethoorn in the picturesque village, so you get to enjoy the sunset over the calm canals without the crowds… Keep reading for my tips for visiting Giethoorn, the Netherlands without a tour. I also include information on how to get to Giethoorn from Amsterdam!

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What to do in Amsterdam Noord, Amsterdam’s coolest borough

October 15, 2018 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

For some reason that I’m not sure, a lot of people that I know are nervous about visiting Amsterdam Noord. This part of Amsterdam is just across the water from the historic city center, so if you think that you’ve seen Amsterdam, take a ferry across to explore Amsterdam Noord. This post will be covering cool things to do in Amsterdam Noord, so be sure to rent a bike and follow my lead.

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Your insider guide to the Westelijke Eilanden, a hidden gem in Amsterdam

December 20, 2018 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

You’ve probably never heard of the Westelijke Eilanden, known as the Western Islands, in Amsterdam. These man-made islands just outside of the centre hold a gorgeous off the beaten path neighborhood that is absolutely stunning although it’s easy to miss if you don’t know where you’re going. I’ll be including my favorite secret spots in the Western Islands as well as some great bars/restaurants in the Western Islands not to miss!

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Tips for visiting the Moco Museum in Amsterdam (and seeing Banksy’s art)

January 25, 2019 by Leanne Claire 1 Comment

Our writer Leanne has braved the crowds at the Moco Museum in Amsterdam help you decide whether it’s worth a visit to see Banksy and other artists’ work within the permanent collection. She also includes tips for making the most of your Moco Museum visit in Amsterdam!

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Tourist Guide to Amsterdam: What you need to know before your first trip to Amsterdam by a local

March 14, 2018 by Karen Turner 36 Comments

Amsterdam is a city to RELAX in. I’m not talking about the abundant coffeeshops, but about the gezellig (cozy) atmosphere that you’ll find in this city.

Take your time to sit back to enjoy the passing bikes, unique architecture, and beautiful canals among the many things to do and delicious things to eat. I’m a proud Amsterdam resident and this is an ultimate guide to Amsterdam with all the questions that I feel like I’ve been asked most often.

Find out how many days to spend in Amsterdam, get advice on what are the “must-sees”, where to stay in Amsterdam, what to eat in Amsterdam, which museums to visit in Amsterdam (and skip!), what to do before you arrive in Amsterdam, how to get from the airport to the city…and more!

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Can Amsterdam be saved from overtourism? Thoughts on sustainable tourism in Amsterdam

July 26, 2018 by Karen Turner 4 Comments

As a former resident of Amsterdam, I’m concerned about overtourism in Amsterdam, which threatens the livability of Amsterdam as house prices skyrocket and many neighborhoods have become overtaken by tourists. Although the city of Amsterdam has enacted new legislation to limit the impacts of tourism, the numbers of tourists visiting the capital of the Netherlands isn’t slowing down.

A marketing campaign that began in 2016 by the Amsterdam Marketing still seeks to bring more tourists to other destinations in the Holland region, a goal shared by many tourists who hope to see the Netherlands beyond Amsterdam. However, in trying to bring tourists to other destinations, the campaign has rebranded nearby towns and attractions (that aren’t part of Amsterdam) as parts of Amsterdam. Does Amsterdam truly value sustainable tourism or does it only wish to push unwanted tourists beyond its city borders?

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Secrets of the Red Light District in Amsterdam: Etiquette and Hidden Gems of De Wallen

March 24, 2019 by Karen Turner 3 Comments

So many visitors are curious about the Red Light District in Amsterdam. A former resident of Amsterdam, I have quite a bit to say about the Red Light District (known as de Wallen), which is one of the most debated neighborhoods in Amsterdam. This post will include etiquette for visiting the Red Light District, the history of De Wallen, and hidden gems of De Wallen.

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Brouwerij ‘t IJ: Tips for visiting Amsterdam’s brewery next to a windmill

November 22, 2021 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

One of my favorite places to bring friends visiting Amsterdam is Brouwerij ‘t IJ. This iconic Amsterdam brewery next to a windmill is one of Amsterdam’s best destinations for craft beer, so if you love craft beer, keep reading my tips for visiting this famous Amsterdam craft brewery.

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20 things that you need to know before you travel in the Netherlands by a Dutch resident

February 29, 2020 by Karen Turner 3 Comments

I’m officially celebrating my arrival in the Netherlands over four years ago this week! As someone who’s visited the Netherlands as a tourist and is now trying to assimilate by becoming fluent in Dutch, I have some useful travel tips for traveling in the Netherlands for you all that I hope will make your trip to the Netherlands a little more easy. …

How to get from Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport by train step-by-step

February 21, 2019 by Karen Turner 2 Comments

If you’re visiting Amsterdam, you might be flying out of Schiphol Airport. I have taken the train between Amsterdam and Schiphol countless time and the train is the best way to get to Schiphol from Amsterdam. I include some tips with some photos and step-by-step instructions to make it easy to catch your flight!

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