Date travelled: 12-14 July 2005
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is not just the sex capital of Europe; it's also a pleasant place for couples or families to spend the weekend.
From the airport, take the train direct to the city centre (tickets €2.70). I stayed at the Golden Tulip Amsterdam Zaandam, which is a couple of train stops from the centre.
When you head towards Amsterdam Centraal station, you will notice how flat this place is, with windmills dotted across the horizon.
When you arrive at the centre, you will no doubt come across guys trying to intice you into their newest and best "coffee" shop or adult entertainment bar. Head out of the station, and down the main street towards the city square.
Amsterdam central square.
From here, the choice is yours. If you turn right at the square, you will arrive at Anne Frank's house, the famous Dutch Jew, who's diaries about living under Nazi occupation have sold millions of copies worldwide. Be warned, there can be a lot of queues to visit her house.
If you go straight on at the square, for about 1/2km, you will arrive at the Heineken brewery, where you can browse around the visitor's centre, and try some of the Dutch brew. (entrance €7.95).
The Heineken brewery.
After visiting the brewery, you may fancy walking along Amsterdam's beautiful canals. You will come across one of the most famous bridges of the city, known locally as the "skinny bridge".
The Skinny Bridge.
As you follow the canals, around in a rough circle, you will enter Amsterdam's fantastic red light district, home to the cities, if not Europe's, best adult enterainmen area. Here, you will find all the famous "coffee" shops, sex shops and the Hash and Marijuana museum, where you can see exhibits of everything cannabis related, and even see home grown! (entrance €5)
Hash and Marijuana museum.
If you are in Amsterdam for some good nightlife, come back to this area of the city in the evening, but bring plenty of cash, you'll need it!
Once you've arrived back at the square, try some of the local drink. You got the lovely Heineken or Amstel (about €5 for a large), or try some of the Jenever, a type of Dutch gin, perfect on its own or with water. Dutch locals usually have Jenever as a chaser, to accompany lager.
As you head back towards the station, you will notice an alleyway with plenty of tourists lining the streets. Take a look, you will be right by the Sex museum, but be warned, the exhibits here are not for the squeamish! (entrance €7)
The Sex Museum.
So if you're looking for a quiet family weekend, or an action packed adults only experience, come to Amsterdam!
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