My daughter has just come back from a weekend in Amsterdam which she absolutely loved and was kind enough to bother to send me her top tips! Worryingly, they seemed to involve all those things that as a mother you want to protect your children from – sex, drugs and rock and roll!
It is a beautiful city, with wonderful canals and architecture to look at! There are stunning parks to go and sit in. We walked around and people watched – which I recommend as it is not too big and that way you are able to see a lot more! We walked and walked and walked. Everyone we spoke to was just so friendly, it is a wonderful and extraordinary city and there are things to do for everyone.
Houseboat
We stayed on an amazing houseboat – which was just so lovely and comfortable – the view is stunning, a canal with swans! The women who owns it was incredible to say the least – supplied us with so much food and drink and we couldn’t have felt more comfortable and at home! (The bed is SO comfy) I couldn’t recommend this houseboat more — it was amazing!!!!
You can see our houseboat from here:-
From there we could walk everywhere…
Anne Frank Museum
Definitely a must do – it is very interesting, educational and emotional. It was a very upsetting experience, yet it was so interesting and something I think everyone should go visit. It is so outrageous the way these individuals were treated and how they lived their lives in fear! It puts a massive perspective on your own life!
Heineken Museum
Much more light-hearted (and light-headed!) than the last museum. It is very fun atmosphere and it explains the history of Heineken, as well as rides and fun activities to do, you are taught how to pour the perfect pint and we were able to try a lot of Heineken and is a very fun thing to do for young people
Coffee shops
Bizarre concepts for people looking for a coffee and instead are faced with a smoked filled room – which even sitting in there would make you high. The signs on the table said ‘no tobacco smoking’ so it was either smoke weed or nothing at all – it is very interesting and a must to do for Amsterdam! I recommend the Bulldog Cafe — which was the first ever coffee shop in Amsterdam! – It is a very interesting experience!!!
Thaise Snackbar Bird
A great thai restaurant, which is so small and popular. We had to wait in a queue and were sit on a tiny table with locals, who said it is the best Thai food in Amsterdam – the food was delicious and it was a great place to eat.
The red light district
The weirdest place, it is window shopping for sex. As a women, I think it is the most degrading place – it objectifies women and displays them as nothing more than pieces of meat. I think it is outrageous this is happening on a street, where young children may be walking by. There were no male prostitutes – which further highlights the view that women seen as a sexual object (no wonder there is so many complaints about breastfeeding in public – when women are displayed to be nothing but a sex symbol). I didn’t know whether to feel sorry for these women or to feel upset that they are allowing the female body to be completely objectified. When this is so easily accessible – it’ll encourage young/old etc. people to hire prostitutes, which is never acceptable. It is very interesting, but in all the wrong ways — I felt uncomfortable in this place as a women, yet it is interesting.
This area is very lively at night — there are a lot of good restaurants and bars around this area – so if you are looking for lively night scene – this is a good place to go.
The sex museum
Amuseum which is very light hearted look at the sex industry and sex through the ages, different styles of sex. It is interesting and I learnt a fair amount!
A great and fantastic place to go for a long weekend away!!!
