Text and photos by Nina Sarmiento

Walking by the canals of Amsterdam

Ok I admit it. One of the reasons why I had to spend a weekend in this Dutch city was my curiousity over the (in famousred light district of Amsterdam. But traveling to Amsterdam proved that there’s more to it than “working girls” living in uh, glass houses.
 

Amsterdam is one hip, beautful city. It is cheaper and smaller than London, so it’s easy to explore (either by foot or by that ubiquitous bicycle] even if you only have a weekend to travel to Amsterdam. More importly, going to Amsterdam is a delight for this artsy-fartsy female traveler who considers it a treat to set foot in Van Gogh’s museum and Anne Frank’s house (trivia: Amsterdam is perhaps one of Europe’s most historic cities, home tonearly 7,000 well-preserved and protected houses and buildings dating from as far back as  the 16th  century).
 

So where to go in Amsterdam over the weekend? Here are some places that you might want to include in your itinerary:
 

1. Dam Square:
 

Everyone goes to and through the town square -the historical center of  the  country’s capital. This square derived its name from its former function – a dam on the Amstel River. It is here in the square that you’ll find the Royal Palace Nieuwe Kierk, and the National Monument.
On first impression, the square may seem in disarray, confusing with so many things located in one place. The best way to appreciate the square is to focus your attention at on one impressive monument/building at a time

Gouda cheese is one of the world's delicious cheeses. This orange hard cheese made from cow’s milk and originated from Gouda, a city at the western part of Netherland. It is both a table cheese and a dessert cheese.

2. Koninklijk Paleis:
 

Also known as the Royal Palace, this massive building was constructed in the 17th century and is one of three palaces in the Netherlands which is at the disposal of Queen Beatrix – the country’s oldest reigning monarch
 

The Palace was supposed to serve as city hall in the 17th century. But when King Louis Napoleon, brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, took control of the Netherlands and established the Batavian Republic, this became his palace. He believed that it was the only building that is grand enough and fits his taste was the city hall.
 

While admiring the building, you might as well go at the back, where you can see a sculpture of Atlas carrying the globe. The lamp posts are lovely, decorated with images of  lions and crowns.
 

3. National Monument:

A memorial to the sufferings that the Dutch people endured under the Nazi regime. Although it might look like just any white post, if you look closely you'll see images of motherhood and repression.

 

National Museum in Amsterdam

4. Nieuwe Kerk:
 

Also known as the “New Church”, this 15th century church Kerk is a burial site for Dutch naval heroes. The church is no longer used for services, but now functions as an  exhibition space,, concert space for recitals and royal family inaugurations
 

The church has a sundial above the window in the south side. There was a time that this sundial served as a universal clock for the city – all the time in the cities are actually synchronized with this sundial.
 

5. Rossebuurt:
 

That’s Dutch for “red neighborhood”, Amsterdam’s red light district, it is perhaps the world’s most renown center for prostitution.  Sure, a lot of countries have their own red light districts, but Rossebuurt is a class on its own, as it’s situated noted for its liberalism and tolerance (prostitution is legal here, also smoking pot and pornography).
 

For another, it offers an array of interesting “shops”– prostitutes rent one-room cabins, offering their sexual services from behind a glass door illuminated with red lights.  Other establishments include  sex shops, sex theatres, peep shows and coffee shops that sell marijuana.
 

Due to its reputation, Amsterdam’s red light district has become a key tourist destination. Having said, this place is historic , its barrow, cobbled-line alleys once served as a docking station for sailors looking for alcohol and some female company.
 

6. Zuidekerk:

This 17th-century structure is one the first Renaissance structures in the city and also its first Protestant church.
 

The main reason why you want to visit this church is to climb the tower to give yourself another perspective of the city.
 

They look like Gingerbread houses, right?

7. Centraal station:
 

This is one of Amsterdam’s main railway hub. Beforeypu  start exploring the city it is worth taking a back glance before you exit the train station.

The facade of Centraal’s building was  designed by the architect Pierre Cuypers (who also designed the Gothic-Renaissance type building in the Rijksmuseum). The facade is  decorated by a series of images celebrating the commercial life of city.
 

8. Jordaan:

I find this place a good trail for a sightseeing  tour. Feast your eyes with the view of impressive structures and houses with equally impressive gables. The Jordaan is the best place to start if you want to do a canal tour by foot.
 

9. Anne Frank House:

The sanctuary of the Jewish teen-ager who gave the world a glimpse of the Jews sufferings under the Nazi regime. This was the place where the Frank and Van Pels families hide in fear. After the two families were discovered and deported to Nazi concentration camps, only the father managed  to come out alive and one of the people who helped them hide, returned to him Anne’s diary which was subsequently published and read by millions all over the world.
That's moi in front of Anne Frank's House

Memorial to Anne Frank

10. Van Gogh Museum:
 

The tortured artist, known for slicing his ear off, he committed suicide and he only sold two paintings in his lifetime. On his death, all his collection was inherited by his brother Theo, and on Theo's death he left the collection to his widow:  Johanna van Gogh-Bonger who sold a part of the collection to spread his work, but keep part of the collection to herself which she left to her son.
 

Now, Van Gogh's works are worth a lot of money and his museum is the most visited in Amsterdam.  Paintings like The Potato Eaters, Bedroom in Arles, The Yellow House and  Still Life: Vase with Twelve Sunflowers  are some of the paintings in the collection.
 

11. Rijksmuseum:
 

The Dutch national museum in Amsterdam – it is home to  paintings from the Dutch Golden Age plus an extensive collection of Asian art.

Rijskmuseum-Dutch National Museum

 

 

Resources: 

1. If you love to explore more the rich culture and attractions of Amsterdam, then why don't you book one of Urban Adventure's*  lovely day tours!  Relax in a cafe along a canal, explore the parks,  join street festivals or go flower shopping on a floating market.

 

 

 

2. Want to know more how to travel alone as a woman?   The Art of Solo Travel: A Girls’ Guide*  by Stephanie Lee is ideal for the woman traveling alone for the first time but has no idea how to go about it.  The guide answers all the questions that you have on traveling alone as a woman – from saving money for your travels, to advice on relationships and health on the road and even advice on how to deal with dream crushers.  Get it now and start crafting your own journeys!

 

 

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