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Things do to in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Posted on May 29, 2019

There are a lot of things to do and see in Amsterdam. With a balance between crazy nightlife and a long history makes it one of the most popular cities in the world.

What to see

Amsterdam is one of the freest cities in the world. There is a lot to see in Amsterdam, but I’d recommend that you start with a walking or canal boat tour. This way you can see the beauty of the city and all its colors. If you don’t like water or walking, there is also the option to hop on a bike and ride through the city. There are a lot of places to hire a bike in the city and travelling by bicycle is very popular in The Netherlands.

There are a lot of museums in Amsterdam. The most popular museums are the Van Gogh museum and Rijksmuseum. The Van Gogh museum holds the biggest collection of van Gogh’s artwork. If you are a fan of art, you’ll find the Rijksmuseum not too far away. These are two great art museums with a lot of history. If art is not for you, you can also visit the Heineken museum where you can learn more about the most popular beer in Netherlands and how it’s made.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Amsterdam is big. The red light district is filled with tourists when the sun goes down and I would only recommend you go see it for 10 minutes for the experience and then go have a proper Amsterdam nightlife outing. There are a lot of clubs and bars in the city center that will be like you have never seen. One of the best clubs is Radion. Radion is open 7 days a week and almost all hours. They are mostly into techno, but they add variety to it. Be sure to buy tickets beforehand if there is an event.

To be more relaxed on your night out, you can visit a variety of bars by just walking through the streets and looking around. Canvas is a great bar where you are on a rooftop and a sunset over the city can be seen. It’s not exactly in the city center, but is easy to reach with public transport.

Transportation

There are a lot of ways to get around Amsterdam. You can take the tram, bus, walk or ride a bike. Walking would be the best as you can then see all the sights and beautiful buildings. There are also hop-on, hop-off buses that allow you to see the whole city. Just be sure to buy tickets these buses.

Foods to try

Amsterdam has a lot food that should be tried and most of them can be found while walking through the streets. At almost any street take away shop, you can buy patat. This is potato fries that are fried, topped with sauce of your choice and really good. There are different sauces and combinations to choose from, but you will surely buy this more than once where you can then experiment for yourself. If you are having a beer and a little hungry makes bitterballen the perfect snack. This is a deep fried meaty snack that’s served with mustard or mayonnaise.

Amsterdam offers a lot of things to do and once you’ve seen this city, you will realize why it’s so popular among the rest of the world. This is one of the best cities that I have ever traveled to.

City trips

Travel through the city of Helsinki, Finland.

Posted on May 22, 2019

Helsinki is the capitol of Finland and of one the fastest growing cities in Europe and a great city to travel to. This modern Scandinavian and colorful city can have as little as 6 hour’s sunlight per day in the winter, but has an exceptional uniqueness that not every city can offer.

What to do

If you travel to Finland, Helsinki is certainly worth the travel. The city that offers a lot, but mostly a great feeling. There are a lot of sights to see, but most of them are architectural. A must see is the Helsinki cathedral located in the center of Helsinki. The cathedral is one of the most iconic landmarks and attracts a lot of tourists and locals. I would recommend you get up a bit earlier to get a good picture of the cathedral. The Market Square is a great place to visit for a good bite or just to have look around, but be sure to visit one of the many cafes that the city has to offer while you are in the city center. The cosiness, warmth and good coffee all contribute to a nice and relaxing break from all your walking.

If you are looking for a relaxed place to have a drink, you should visit Kallio. Kallio is creative, vibrant and laid back district where you can have a drink among the locals. This is where Helsinki’s unique lifestyle and locals are seen at their best.

In the winter time the auroras can be witnessed in Helsinki. Between September and October and February and March, the lights can be seen dancing in the sky. But keep in mind that it can only be 2-3 days prior if they can be seen.

Food

They offer most of the normal everyday foods like pork, chicken and beef, but fish is also very popular. Fish can be served in several different ways. Baltic herring is a traditional they have and is certainly something that you should try while you are there. This can be found at any market. Reindeer meat is also a popular meal that is widely enjoyed in Finland, so if you are in the mood for something new, reindeer meat can be found. Grilled sausage is also very popular. This is prepared over an open fire and served with mustard and beer.

Weather

The weather in Helsinki is cold, but at least not rainy. The summer months are May until September, but the warmest it will get during these months is around 21 degrees. Therefore be sure to have a good jacket when you go there, no matter when you are going to travel there.

In Helsinki you must keep an open mind and let the city make you feel special. Helsinki certainly is one of the most unique and underrated cities in Europe.

If you are looking for some travelling tips or places you can go on a budget trip ? Here we have it all

City trips

Visiting the great city of Cape Town South Africa

Posted on May 21, 2019

South Africa, Cape town, is one of the most unique cities that I have ever visited. It has a special flair that can only be felt. The people are kind and everyone is happy. With its rich history and the happy vibes, there is not much not to like about the city.

History

Cape Town was the first city in South Africa and was created and founded in 1652 when the Dutch explorer Jan van Ribieeck arrived there with his 3 ships. Since then it has grown to be a beautiful city with a lot of beautiful experiences.

Attractions

A beautiful attraction and one of the biggest is Table Mountain. The view from the top is absolutely stunning, but choose a day with nice weather. If you go to Table Mountain, you must be absolutely sure that there will be no mist and preferably sunny skies. I would recommend going in the afternoon between 1 and 2 o’clock.

While you are in the city there are a lot of specialized restaurants to choose from. Seabreeze fish and shell, is an extraordinary restaurant that serves stunning dishes fresh from the ocean and has a stunning view. I would recommend making a reservation as it is a popular restaurant and not only for tourists.

Leave the city center

Outside the city is also a lot to do. There are a lot vineyards and wineries where you can go and taste their extraordinary wines and different flavors. The best vineyards and wineries are located in Stellenbosch, which is a small city located just outside of Cape Town. You can take a bus to get there and staying somewhere in the little town, a winery or vineyard is also possible.

Another travelling attraction is Robben Island. Robben Island is a place that carries a lot of the history in South Africa as that is where Nelson Mandela was kept for 18 of his 27 years in jail. To get there, you take a trip on a boat for about 40-60 minutes, which seems like a long time, but you spend about 2-3 hours on the island when you get there. There are a lot of special bird species on the island and the Africa penguin can also be found here.

Weather

The weather is good in Cape Town, but it’s not always hot and there are some soft rains and winds. Be prepared by keeping a rain jacket or windbreaker with you in your backpack. Even if the weather is not always perfect, be sure to visit the beaches. The beaches are filled with life and eventful. In the summer there are markets by the beach where you can buy handmade souvenirs and a good bite to eat.

I have become a sucker for Cape Town and there is still so much that I still need to see. Cape Town left a special mark in my heart and I hope to return there as soon an possible.

For another city trip, visit Amsterdam or click here for a great backpacking trip.