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»alleyways that make cycling the most efficient way to
get around town. That said, I always recommend
visitors to begin exploring by foot. By walking you can
take in the city at your own pace, easily stop to peek
into shops and snap photos along the way.
Where are the best shops?
Head to the charming Nine-Streets area for rows of
sweet boutiques and vintage shops along the canals;
you’ll find plenty more concept shops along the
Harlemmerstraat near Central Station and even more
around De Pijp, Amsterdam’s Latin Quarter. Those
who love to hunt for a good deal should check out the
IJ Hallen f lea market (see over the page).
Where do you like to escape to?
When I’m in need of tropical warmth, I head to the
greenhouse at Hortus Botanicus, our local botanical
garden in the east side of Amsterdam. There’s plenty
to do without travelling more than an hour from
Amsterdam and with an affordable, efficient public
transportation system, it’s easy to get around the entire
country. In springtime, definitely take a day trip to
Lisse: you can hire bikes and cycle for miles around the
tulip fields, it’s an incredible sight!
What do you miss most if you’ve been away?
Everything... except the weather! Honestly, if I weren’t
such a curious explorer with a heart full of wanderlust,
then I’d probably never want to leave Amsterdam.
After so long here, I do find it weird (and frustrating)
to be so dependent on a car when I visit family and
friends back in America. I start missing my bicycle the
moment I’m in a traffic jam.
If you could change one thing about the city, what
would it be?
I would forbid tourists to ride bikes with selfie sticks. I
mean, come on, that’s obviously not a sensible idea, yet
I see it every single day. That’s why I always
recommend visitors to walk.
Where would you recommend a visitor to stay?
If your budget can manage, book a room at The Dylan,
Soho House or Hotel Pulitzer—all three are in the
heart of Amsterdam’s picturesque canal belt and
known for their great cocktail bars. A few friends have
enjoyed staying at Volkshotel with quirky designed
rooms and CocoMama, a boutique hostel offering a
range of accommodations.
What keeps you in your city and where else would
you like to live?
For the foreseeable future Amsterdam will remain my
home base. I’m a tropical girl at heart, so if, or when, the
time comes for me to leave, I’ll only trade Amsterdam
for somewhere warm and sunny like the Caribbean!
1 Medieval square
Begijnhof, home to a
wonky house or two.(^2) Going Dutch at
Oedipus Brewing.
(^3) Thecityislaidout
like a fan, riven with a
network of canals.
(^4) Hortus Botanicus
glasshouse offers
tropical warmth to
counter grey days.
(^5) There are more
bikesthanpeoplein
Amsterdam (just
watch out for those
mobile selfie sticks).
(^6) In spring, rainbow
meadows of tulips in
Lisse are just a short
day trip from the city
ESCAPE (^) | MY CITY