Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

Parks, bikes and beer – Why we love Amsterdam

By

micro guide amsterdam
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Though Amsterdam may be recognized foremost as a hedonist’s heaven, the indigenous design scene beckons with its cutting edge awesomeness. While we appreciate seeing the modern aspects of this capital city, we are Americans and need to see Ye Olde things too. Here is our Amsterdam travel guide that melds the best of both worlds.

PLAY

Recommended Videos

Exploring the city by bicycle is an absolute must. Bike City located in the heart of the trendy Jordaan district are reliable and reasonably priced and ready to disguise the tourist in you with only traditional Dutch bikes on offer.

We are also big fans of the canal tours because, hey, it’s Amsterdam and they have canals. But avoid the big touristy boats and check out these small boats that can get to areas the big boys can’t.  You can’t come to Amsterdam without exploring  the Rijksmuseum. Go there to peruse the great Dutch old masters.

In Amsterdam for a while? Take a 15 minute train ride to the charming Medieval town of Haarlem and visit De Jopenkirk which is a beer hall in a former church.

SHOP

Once you’ve mastered the pedaling, head straight to SPRMRKT, Amsterdam’s most prestigious concept store for an awe-inspiring selection of homegrown and German menswear labels including Aviatic and Helmut Lang. Avant garde clothes may not be your thing but it’s still worth checking out to see what is happening in the  Dutch menswear world

Located within retail hotspot the Nine Streets , the Hartenstraat strip is also noteworthy for innovative menswear stores. Cycling along the busy strip you’ll find heritage footwear and accessories as well as cobbling and tailoring services at Sir Max, and smart and quirky European menswear at Lock Stock & Barrel.

EAT & DRINK

For a forward-thinking dining experience, head to De Kas near the amazing Frankendael Park. Translating in English to mean greenhouse, the huge arboretum houses some of the freshest organic produce in the city. Dishes vary each day depending on what looks good in their very own garden but expect a veg-heavy rural Mediterranean vibe.

For something to sink your teeth into, the menu at Greetje modernizes traditional Dutch cuisine almost beyond recognition. Willfully commit carbocide with bread and meat-flecked goose fat and lashings of steaming stamppot, a potato and vegetable mash. (you win a prize if you use the word ‘boterham’ whist ordering during one of your dining experiences)

Despite the city’s many nocturnal prospects, The Manual suggests a civilized nightcap at Bar Oldenhof. We appreciate this gentlemanly spot for their craft cocktails, micro brews and oak paneled clubby atmosphere.  Boozy bicycle ride back to the hotel optional.

SLEEP

With a bevy of design hotels on offer, selecting an unobtrusive yet suitably stylish pitstop can be a little daunting. The Manual recommends The Exchange on the buzzing Damrak strip, where experimental design meets contemporary white space in a happy, affordable union.  Each of the 61 rooms comprises a tailor-made design cultivated by graduates from the Amsterdam Fashion Institute and the results are utterly inspiring.

Jodie Kharas
Jodie Kharas
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jodie Kharas is a style, art and culture writer who lives in London. She has contributed to the online platforms of POP…
There’s a reason this travel spot is known as the Maldives of Mexico
An affordable alternative to the Maldives
Color graded picture of a pier with clouds and blue water at the Laguna Bacalar, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Picture pristine turquoise waters stretching as far as the eye can see, surrounded by lush greenery and white sandy beaches. This luxurious scene isn’t just a dream reserved for far-off destinations like the Maldives. Situated in the southeastern corner of Mexico lies a hidden gem that rivals the beauty of its distant Asian counterpart: Bacalar. 

Bacalar, often referred to as the “Maldives of Mexico,” is a gorgeous destination renowned for the Bacalar Lagoon, otherwise known as the “Lagoon of Seven Colors.” Bacalar, Mexico’s crystal clear waters, resemble the famous hues of the Indian Ocean surrounding the Maldives. But what sets Bacalar apart isn’t just its striking resemblance to the Maldives—it’s the accessibility, affordability, and unique experiences it offers travelers without the lengthy journey. So pack your bags and head to Mexico.
Where is Bacalar, Mexico?

Read more
The most popular Grand Canyon trail reopens this week
Your favorite Grand Canyon trail is back in action
grand canyon national park bright angel trail view bright angel lodge

The Grand Canyon National Park has announced the much-anticipated reopening of Havasupai Gardens Campground, Bright Angel Trail, and Tonto Trail, set for April 15, 2024. This marks a celebratory moment for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers, as one of the most renowned trails in the park becomes accessible once again after a temporary closure.

These closures began way back in December 2023 due to the Transcanyon Waterline project at the Grand Canyon National Park. This project involved extensive construction activities aimed at upgrading and replacing the water distribution lines in the park. The work included the replacement of water distribution lines throughout the Havasupai Gardens area and at the 1.5 and 3-mile rest houses, located along the Bright Angel Trail.

Read more
The best hotels in NYC for a spring or summer stay
Off to NYC? Here's where to stay
Waldorf Astoria NYC.

Travel season is upon us, but with a metropolis like New York City, the logistics can be daunting. The Big Apple is home to some 700 hotels alone. So, where does one stay in NYC for the ultimate stay?

The best NYC hotels excel in a few important departments. They are ideally situated and offer unmatched amenities. They tend to involve cool architecture and aesthetics, ranging from iconic and bold to chic and new. And they often have great in-house bonuses, like stellar bars and restaurants.

Read more