Pre-Christmas Break in Amsterdam

So after the Global IS meeting I was lucky to have 5 days in Amsterdam with Verena and later Gudrun! (Click to read her account)

It was a super week... great to be back in Europe: the cold, the rain, the dark evenings, the beer, the food, the Christmas lights, it even snowed as we left! Just Europe really.

Amsterdam is a very international city (many different foods and a true cultural feel to the city!). A true "sin city" with the Red Light District (as much as tourist attraction as a serious enterprise) the coffee shops, sex museums and torture chambers and others.

Then there's the Anne Frank House, Van Gough Museum (and many other museums of classic art), many theatres, romantic canals (the whole city is on canals). We visited most and also the Heiniken experience (true value for money, considering the free beer you get!)

Surely the most diverse city I have ever visited and even in Mid November it was packed with tourists (many British) enabling me to hear some English dialect and get a proper pint (or two) of ale. But there was also many Brazilian bars, which Verena liked (Caipirinha is her folly!)

Many happy memories... great for a romantic break or a beer holiday or maybe even more eventful!

Rules of Amsterdam -
Respect the bikes: they rule the roads, footpaths and canals
Take an umbrella: it will rain
Speak English: everyone else does!
Book early: all the hotels and hostels book up well in advance... even "out of season".