Canal houses are one of the main attractions in the Netherlands
In 2013, Amsterdam celebrated the 400th year of its Canal Ring, the Rijksmuseum is reopening after a decade of restoration, not to mention, the Dutch people are cheering on their first King after 123 years. It was one of Amsterdam’s best years but if you come a little later, the city still lives up to its promise of Old World charm in modern conveniences.
When you’re in Amsterdam, you should never miss the usual tourist draws like the beautiful tulips especially in Spring, iconic windmills, eclectic coffee shops and the infamous Red Light district. More can be discovered in this so-called the “Venice of the North” if you stay a while longer.
Amsterdam, one of the most important ports during the Dutch Golden Ages and recently listed as UNESCO World Heritage site, is the cultural capital of The Netherlands.
The Amsterdam Central Station is the gateway to the city. From the Schiphol Airport, a train can take you there in 20 minutes. Bus and train services coming from other European cities converge here as well.
Walking around the city can be very overwhelming especially to first-time, Filipino tourists. For one, the Dutch people are the tallest in the world with an average height of 6’1”. Two, the city boasts of a highly advanced bicycle culture complete with world-class facilities for cyclists like bike paths and bike racks.
“The best way to start your visit is by taking a canal tour,” advises David Kopp, co-owner of Tulip of Amsterdam B&B and a resident of Amsterdam for 15 years now. He also recommends renting a bike and reminiscing your childhood while exploring the city like a true Amsterdammer.
Best time to be in Amsterdam
For David the best time to be in Amsterdam is during Queen’s Day (King’s Day starting next year) as the whole country turns not only orange in celebration of the Monarch’s birthday but also into the biggest ukay-ukay hub in the world –the Dutch people sell anything and everything on the streets. For people who want to see picturesque landscapes of tulips, Kopp recommends coming in spring between April and May. For those who are looking for good bargains, he recommends visiting between January and March as most hotel accommodations are half priced.
Raw herring is probably Holland’s national food.
For Arts and History
Godwin Yosalinda-Bouman, a Filipino-Dutch owner of Barangay Bed & Breakfast in Amsterdam and Amsterdammer for 17 years now, recommends the following: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Anne Frank, Heineken Museums, Amsterdam Museum, and the Our Lord in the Attic Church.
Rijksmuseum is home to The Night Watch by Rembrandt, The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer and the Portrait of a Young Couple by Frans Hals. It also has a small Asian art collection which is on display in the Asian Pavilion.
Van Gogh Museum has the largest Van Gogh collection in the world. Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait, Sunflower and Almond Blossoms paintings are just some of the 200 paintings you will see in the museum.
Anne Frank House located on Prinsengracht, one of the main three canals of Amsterdam, is a museum dedicated to a young Jewish diarist lady who hid from Nazi persecution with her family and four others in one of the hidden rooms in the building. The museum highlights forms of persecution and discrimination.
Heineken Museum is a former brewery and currently a visitor center for the world famous Amsterdam grown Heineken beer. Visitors will learn the science of beer making and the art of beer tasting as all visitors will receive three complimentary glasses of beers – one during tasting and two more while socialising.
Amsterdam Museum formerly known as the Amsterdam Historic Museum is Godwin’s favourite among all.
“You will learn how the city was transformed from a dump fishing village to the leading financial centre of the world,” he says.
For Pinoys who love doing Visita Iglesia, a visit to the Our Lord in the Attic Church is a must for Godwin. Built during the Reformation, when Catholics in the city were forbidden to hold public services, this hidden church museum is definitely one of the many unique attractions in Amsterdam.
What to Eat?
Kroket, herring and cheese are the top three must-tries when visiting Amsterdam according to Joseph Tan, a Filipino-American professional violinist. He has been living in Amsterdam for more than 15 years and he loves cooking and trying out different food choices. The best kroket in town, he says, is in Van Dobben at Reguliersdwarsstraat 9; herring in Spuistraat near Waterstone Bookstore; and cheese at Kaashuis Tromp at Utrechtsestraat 90.
Kroket is made of ground meat or sometimes potatoes rolled in breadcrumbs which can be eaten alone or in a sandwich.
Since there is no Filipino restaurant yet in Amsterdam, Joseph recommends the following Asian restaurants with budget-friendly food menu: Oriental City at Oudezijdsvoorburgwal 177 for Dimsum; Ocha at Bantammerstraat 1, Thank Snack Bar Bird at Zeedijk 77; Mitzukuni at Reguliersdwarsstraat 43, or Toko Joyce at Nieuwmarkt 38 for Indonesian.
Where to stay?
To have a complete Amsterdam experience, why not stay with the locals? A lot of Amsterdammers are opening their houses to accommodate visitors. You can experience sleeping in a coverted attic like Anne Frank or in a house boat like a Dutch sailor –the choices are endless.
“Aside from the personal approach and the feeling of being at home, locals know the best deals in town,” Angelo
Sanchez, Filipino-Dutch co-owner of Crown B&B shares.
He adds that there is a growing number of Filipino entrepreneurs owning and running bed and breakfast joints in Amsterdam.
One of the beautifully-designed room at Tulip of Amsterdam Bed and Breakfast
Here’s a list:
Tulip of Amsterdam B&B offers Dutch themed rooms located in middle of the historic Kloveniersburgwal, one of the oldest canals in Amsterdam. It is right next to the charming ancient square called the Nieuwmarkt.
Website: www.TulipofAmsterdam.nl
Barangay B&B is one of the oldest themed tropical decorated guest house that used to be a typical Amsterdam canal house. It was built in 1777 on the former coastline of Amsterdam. Website: www.barangay.nl
Crown B&B is located in one of the most beautiful classical buildings of Amsterdam. The building used to belong to the royal family as their warehouse for sugar.
Website: www.crownbnb.nl
Chris Sta Brigida is a Filipino/British national who recently moved to Amsterdam from London. He is the co-owner of Tulip of Amsterdam Bed and Breakfast.
Editor’s note: This article was first published in the 1st issue of the The Filipino Expat Magazine.
About the author
Chris Sta Brigida is a Filipino/British national who recently moved to Amsterdam from London. He is the co-owner of Tulip of Amsterdam Bed and Breakfast.
.
