4- AMSTERDAM
Happy friday to everyone! Today's post is about one of the most beautiful European cities, but also about one of the few where prostitution and smoking pot are legal, which might strike most of the visitor's attention. It's Amsterdam!
1- General information
Amsterdam, which isn't only the largest and most populous city of the kingdom of the Netherlands, is also the capital city of the country. It's located in the west of the country, in the province of North Holland. Many people think incorrectly that the Netherlands is better called Holland. However, the certain is that Holland is actually the name of a region.
There are about 850,000 inhabitants in the city, reaching 2.5 million people including the metropolitan area. Despite being Dutch the oficial language, the vast majority of Amsterdammers (yeah, that strange name is how people from Asterdam are called) speak English fluently.
2- Landmarks
Located aroound the river Amstel, Amsterdam is often called the Venice of the North because of its numerous canals (165 to be accurate). Those are strongly recommended for visitors. The canal trip can be completed with a walk along the city's most representative bridges. (In the picture below, it's the Herengracht, the most important canal of the city, which dates from the 17th century). Would you like to know about the other existing canals in the city? Click here
Another major landmark of the city is definitely Anne Frank's House. Turned into a museum, this a obligatory stop for anybody, and not only for history buffs. This place represents perfectly the hell Jews went through during the World War II.
If you really want to go back in time, then your place is Dam Square. Built in the 13th century, this centric squarea embraces various hystorical monuments such as the Royal Palace and the Hotel Krasnapolsky. Food stalls, shops and restaurants are found in this huge square. Nevertheless, the most remarkable fact of this square is that it was the reception are of Napoleón and his troops during the 1808 take-over of the city. On this other page you can find more details of the square.
If Amsterdam is famous for one things, it's for its art galleries and museums. The most visited museum in the city is Van Gogh's Museum, which shows over 200 of the Dutch Painter's masterpieces.
3- People
As I wrote before, Dutch and English are the couple of languages which almost any citizen speaks. . Nevertheless, the city is home to people from almost 200 different nationalities, so you'll hear far from Dutch and English and meet people from different countries and continents.
4- Food
Even though Dutch cuisine isn't as culinary and well-known as French cuisine, there are some dishes which are worth trying when visiting Amsterdam:
Bitterballen are delicous fried crispy meatballs which are usually served with mustard for dipping and have become the ultimate in Dutch pub snacks.
A very traditional Dutch food is definitely Hollandse Nieuwe Haring, which every city's visitor should try at least one. Raw Herring fish is usually served with onions are eaten like in the pic.
Finally, there are several traditional tasty desserts. The most famous one is probably stroopwafel, a sweet snack made from two thin lawyers of batter with a syrup filling in the middle.
If you want to know more about the topic, visit 15 Dutch foods to try in Amsterdam
5- Films and TV Series
One famous film set in the city is The fault in ours stars. However, there are other such as Anne Frank: The Whole Story, The Dinner and Saint.
Bitterballen are delicous fried crispy meatballs which are usually served with mustard for dipping and have become the ultimate in Dutch pub snacks.
A very traditional Dutch food is definitely Hollandse Nieuwe Haring, which every city's visitor should try at least one. Raw Herring fish is usually served with onions are eaten like in the pic.
Finally, there are several traditional tasty desserts. The most famous one is probably stroopwafel, a sweet snack made from two thin lawyers of batter with a syrup filling in the middle.
If you want to know more about the topic, visit 15 Dutch foods to try in Amsterdam
5- Films and TV Series
One famous film set in the city is The fault in ours stars. However, there are other such as Anne Frank: The Whole Story, The Dinner and Saint.
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| The fault in our stars |
I've only found one Tv series set in the city, New Ámsterdam. It's an American 2008-TV series with only one season. Do you know any other series recorded in the city? Let it on a comment!
6- More information
Do you still have doubts and questions to answer about the city? Visiting the following pages:
Hope you've enjoyed the post and don't miss the next one in which we'll travel to South America. Come back son!
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