Things to Know When Traveling to Amsterdam

A visit to Amerstam is a traveler's dream. (Photo: amsterdam 1 image by Nathalie P from Fotolia.com )

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Amsterdam is a city like no other. The canals make it romantic, the Red Light District makes it risque and the lifestyle makes it carefree. The city is easy to navigate, by foot, by bike or by boat, and as you turn each corner, there s something interesting to see or do.

When to Go

The best time to visit Amsterdam is. any time. The city holds excitement no matter what the season. That said, most people choose to visit during the summer months, when the longer days and the pleasant temperatures allow for more time outdoors. However, that s also the most crowded period, and it costs more to get to Amsterdam--and stay there. Perhaps the most picturesque time to visit Amsterdam is in the spring - March and April are just before the big tourist rush, and that s also when the nearby Keukenhof Gardens open to the public and highlight Holland s gems--the tulips.

Where to Stay

If You Do Only One Thing

Tour by Bike

When in Amsterdam, traverse the city like the locals do: by bike. If you re unfamiliar with the city, it s best to avoid the ire of the locals (who are used to the rules of the road and know where they re going) and go out on an organized bike tour with a professional. Limit yourself to a bike ride within the city proper, or, leave the crowded streets behind and head out into the Amsterdam countryside to get a bit more of the local flavor--literally, as the tours often stop at a local farm for cheese tastings. It is possible to rent a bike on your own, but it s important to note: it s not easy to find a parking spot for your bike, and if you do, make sure you lock it properly, or it won t be there when you come back for it.

Coffeeshops

With a misleading name (on purpose) coffeeshops are actually the place to go to buy marijuana and have a smoke or buy a snack with marijuana as the main ingredient. While it is legal to smoke marijuana, it s important to know that it s not legal to smoke it just anywhere, and that just because one drug is legal, it doesn t mean others are. Drugs like cocaine and heroin are illegal and most certainly not tolerated. Those wanting to smoke marijuana are limited to the coffeeshops and hotel rooms, unless marked as non-smoking.

The different selections of marijuana are presented on a menu, just as if you were ordering a burger and fries. According to Europe expert Rick Steeves, tourists can often get excited and be unaware of the strength of the local marijuana, but good coffeeshop owners can recommend something a little lighter. Additionally, tour guides explain that you should wait a few hours for the effects of a pot brownie to kick in before eating another. You don t want to ruin a vacation by overindulging and getting sick.

The Red Light District

Prostitution is legal in Amsterdam, and the famous Red Light District gets its name from the windows the prostitutes use to flaunt their wares, highlighted with a red glow (transvestite windows have a blue glow, according to a Red Light District tour guide.) It s perfectly okay to walk by the windows and through the Red Light District, though daytime and early evening provide a more comfortable atmosphere. The later into the night you go, the more weird it gets.

There are also guided tours that provide more of a safe feeling, especially one with a guide that can offer insights, such as the fact that taking pictures of the prostitutes is strictly not allowed. And, if you break that rule, you could see your camera destroyed by the lady s bouncer. There are other details that a casual observer to the Red Light District may miss. Randy Roy s Red Light Tours is run by an ex-pat American woman who knows the area s seediest secrets, and can provide you an escort, as well as buy you a drink in one of the well-known bars.