The Amsterdam Coffee Shop

The term “coffeeshop” was first created by the Dutch habit of running words together, and since its application, it has become synonymous with a special kind of coffee shop.  As you may have thought, the Amsterdam coffee shops do sell coffee and have one or more table to sit and drink it, but much to your surprise, the primary commodity in the Amsterdam coffee shops is cannabis, the botanical name for the plant from which marijuana comes.  They are now licensed by the local council and subject to regulation; however, a strict minimum age of 18 is enforced.

How the Amsterdam Coffee Shops Work

In Amsterdam, the coffee shops are not allowed to advertise, thus you won’t see a big sign saying “Marijuana for Sale”.  So, if you don’t see the dealer’s booth, simply go up to the bar and ask to see the menu.  You will be presented with a list of the different grasses and hashes available at a range of prices.

In most of the Amsterdam coffee shops, the cannabis is sold by weight, but there are some that sold it by value.  Where it is sold by weight, the prices for the cannabis are usually per gram.  There are about 28 grams in an ounce, but there are still other Amsterdam coffee shops that actually sell quarters and eights if you want.  On the other hand, where it is sold by value, the menu will present the quantity, in grams, that you’ll get of each variety for a fixed amount of 20 euros, for example.

The Usual Prices

Being a primary commodity in most Amsterdam coffee shops, the prices of cannabis generally vary according to the location and type of the Amsterdam coffee shop.  The heart of the city, the Amsterdam coffee shops sell the cannabis with prices that tend to be a little higher especially in places that cater for tourists.  That involves both the connoisseur’s shops and rip-off joints.  It is also worth noting that the Amsterdam coffee shops are prohibited to promote or advertise their wares and most have removed their menus from their web sites.

The Question on Legality

As you may know, the legal situation of Amsterdam coffee shops selling cannabis is quite complicated.  International treaties prohibit the Netherlands from legalizing cannabis, even if they wanted to.  However, the possession of a small quantity is considered to be a misdemeanor rather than a criminal offence.

Many of the people in Amsterdam are used to a certain practice in which the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis is permitted.  The people are allowed to purchase five grams at a time, though, so you could be asked to explain if you are carrying more than five grams.  But, along with these regulations, the law prohibits the Amsterdam coffee shops from advertising, exporting outside of the Netherlands, using hard drugs, an excess of five grams, an excess of the maximum of 500 grams of stock, and sales to under 18 years of age.   Incidentally, the 500 gram stock rule which as long been maintained by the Amsterdam coffee shops, is routinely broken by the busier shops.  It is now used by the authorities as pretence for occasional random raids to keep an eye on them.

The History of Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands has always been a well-known name in the world history.  It is well-known throughout the world as the greatest planned city of the northern Europe, and is highly acclaimed for its rich heritage.  It was considered as the center of world economy in the 17th century, and now the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands is acclaimed for its tolerant character.

The Early Days

The greatest planned city of Amsterdam, Netherlands was first founded as a fishing village around the thirteenth century.  It developed round a dam ion the Amstel river at the end of the 12th century, and the name Amstelledamme occurs for the first time in October 27, 1275 when the toll concession of Floris V. Count of Holland happened.  During the 14th century throughout the 15th, Amsterdam, Netherlands experienced a rapid development, which later on laid the foundation for the city’s Golden Age. 

It was noted that only very few medieval buildings in the city survive today.  The houses were then built of wood, a vulnerable type of construction material.  The world famous Houten Huis is no exception to this rule.  However, most of them were destroyed, but a surprisingly large number of Amsterdam dwellings still have timber frames.

The City’s Golden Age

The Golden Age of Amsterdam, Netherlands starts from the period 1585 and ends in 1672.  This period was said to be the hey-day of the city’s commercial success.  During this time, the Amsterdam, Netherlands was the staple market of the world and it is also during this period that the characteristic Amsterdam cityscape was developed.   It is just worth noting that in 1613 and 1663, urban expansions are what set the city’s characteristic appearance.  It is also during this time that a number of today’s historic buildings were built, like the town hall in the Dam Square, which is known as the Royal Palace at present.

The Age of Gold and Silver

1672 in Amsterdam, Netherlands was a year of disaster for the Dutch Republic as the French and English were attacking simultaneously during this time. The Golden Age of the city had come to end; however Amsterdam, Netherlands was still able to manage the consolidation of its prosperity during the period 1672 to 1795 despite of the predicament that the Republic found itself in. 

At that time, the city remained as the major staple market and managed to retain its position as the financial center of Europe.  Also, a large number of dwellings were built at this period, both simple and rich canal houses reflect the city’s prosperity. 

Amsterdam’s Recession and Decline

In 1795 the government of the patrician oligarchies was overthrown from power and the old Republic ceased to exist.  Soon, the French were to occupy the country.  It was during the period 1795 to 1813 that Amsterdam, Netherlands has suffered badly from the economic recession, which is a state of affairs reflected by the stagnation of the demographic development.  A number of houses were vacant at this time, and some even collapsed for lack of maintenance.  However, some facades and interiors dating back to the Empire period of Amsterdam, Netherlands still survive up to these days.

1813 to 1940 in the history of Amsterdam, Netherlands marked the period of economic recovery and it was from 1870 onwards that the expansion began.  A rapid population growth started to happen and from here an increasing wealth was accumulated.  As many have noted, this development was primarily the result of the Industrial Revolution which triggered off a New Golden Age.  

The Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Amsterdam airport Schiphol  is ranks as the world’s 3rd largest by international passenger traffic.Amsterdam is accessible by air , land or sea.Accesible by direct flights from outside continent with affordable rate.

Amsterdam airport Schiphol  seems far more than a airport.it offers so many great attractions which includes casino, the sauna and massgae service

The Schiphol Air traffic control tower, with a height of 101 metres (330 ft), was the tallest in the world when constructed in 1991. The entire airport is below sea level; the lowest point sits at 11 feet below sea level.


How to reach by Road

The Amsterdam airport Schiphol is actually situated off the A4 motorway, which connects the city of Amsterdam to The Haque, Netherland’s seat of government, and Rotterdam.  The exit to the airport is clearly signposted.

Car Parking

There are two short-term car parks in the Schiphol: the P1 and P2.  These two are both connected to the terminal and the Schiphol Plaza by covered walkways, and is recommended of stays for up to 48 hours.  Aside from the short-term car parks, there is also an available long-term parking in the airport, at an open-air P3.  This car park area is situated 4 kilometers from the terminal, and a 24-hour shuttle bus is servicing in this area to provide links between P3 and the terminal.  A luxury car park is also available, including a valet service.

The Bad Marks and Plus Points of the Schiphol Airport

There are a number of reasons for choosing the Amsterdam airport Schiphol.  One of those is the fact that all the offbeat attractions of the airport are housed under one roof, with none of the terminal hopping that causes minor panic in transfer passengers or sometimes confuses unwary first time users.   Aside from that is the fact that every great things stems from the vast Schiphol Plaza, which is the central hall of this Amsterdam airport.   It is actually the plaza which provides easy access to car parks and the conveniently located rail station.  In addition, it is the plaza which places pressure on your wallet as it provides a number of shops, with 40 shops currently on record. 

The Schiphol airport further scores highly for its catering service that is offered both before and after passport security.  It is even noted for its great thoughtful touches like a nursery for people traveling with young children.  What’s more, the Amsterdam airport Schiphol is just so close to the city of Amsterdam with good transport links.  It even has the best viewing terrace designed and built for aircraft enthusiasts at any major European hub airport. 

However, just like many other airports in different areas in the world, the Amsterdam airport Schiphol has a reputation for baggage handling problems that greatly affected transfer passengers.  And, for many people, its business center which is located airside only serves as bad mark for the airport.

New Amsterdam Theater

The New Amsterdam Theater in New York was first decorated in mauve, green and dull gold, and it is from these colors that the beauty of the New Amsterdam Theater earned its name “The House Beautiful” from the New York Time upon its opening. Many have said that during the opening of this theater, three motifs were used in the decoration. The first is the history of New Amsterdam from Henrick Hudson to 1903, the history of the theater, and art nouveau floral and fauna.

In the history of Broadway, the New Amsterdam Theater is a name worthy to consider. It is considered as the oldest house for Broadway, being opened in 1903, the same night as the Lyceum Theater was opened. It was built by Marc Klaw and Abraham Erlanger and its elaborate design was said to be a collaboration of a number of painters, sculptors, and designers.

The first show staged in the New Amsterdam Theater is Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Nights Dream. Although the theater could accommodate up to 1800 people, making it the largest theater in New York, it was fully packed when the first show was staged. From then on, several plays and musicals were performed on this theater. Top the list are She stoops to Conquer, George M. Cohan’s Forty-Five Minutes from Broadway, and The Merry Widow. It was in the 1913 that the New Amsterdam Theater became the home of Ziegfeld Follies. The Follies were the ones who brought a number of the greatest Broadway actors and actresses to the theater.

However, during the depression period, the New Amsterdam Theater was greatly affected. While shows produce inside the theater remained fairly constant through the early thirties, the rooftop theater had suffered, and in 1936, the theater was closed. It was only reopened the next year, but for radio use rather than live productions. Then, it was transformed into a movie theater, but again the further project was cancelled when certain problems were discovered in the main supporting beam.

The New Amsterdam Theater was brought back to life when the Walt Disney Corporation purchased it in 1993 at a cost of $34 million. The theater was then restored, and it was noted that from the outside to the inside, the restoration is stunning.

The grand opening of the New Amsterdam Theater happened in May of 1997, with a concert staging of King David. Later that year, a stage version of the highly successful full-length cartoon The Lion King was performed at this theater. It was actually The Lion King which went on to win the Tony Award for best musical in 1998 and has been playing to capacity crowds since its opening. The Lion King is still staged at the New Amsterdam Theater up to now.

Today, purchased and restored by Walt Disney Corporation, the New Amsterdam Theatre has been considered as the focal point of the recent Times Square revival. It is now considered as Disney’s premiere showcase for its stage shows, and much to your surprise, tours are still given on Mondays and Tuesdays and cats from The Lion King seem to play the New Amsterdam Theater in New York forever.

Where to Find an Amsterdam Map

Although the seat of the government of the Netherlands is the The Hague, Amsterdam remains as the nominal capital. It is well-known as the country’s largest city, with a population of almost 750, 000. Recent statistics have also shown that Amsterdam is the country’s most visited spot, with more than 3.5 million foreign visitors annually.

Now, Amsterdam is considered as one of the greatest small cities in the whole world. It also has gained the title of being the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe because of its great canals, world famous museums, and historical sights. As commonly noted, your destination is never far away in Amsterdam as this is a city of tolerance and diversity.

Having said all these, Amsterdam is then a place worthy of visit. But, before planning to visit the city, I guess it is better to know first where the Amsterdam is strategically located. Thanks to the production of Amsterdam maps that knowing where you are situated and where to go in the city is now highly accessible.

I have here a few sites online where you can access an Amsterdam map. Just note that what will be presented here are just a few of the many resources online offering Amsterdam maps. Please read on.

http://www.amsterdam.info/

Amsterdam.info currently features an advanced navigation street map of Amsterdam. The map offered by this site can be printed. All you need to do is to click the selected portion of the map for print resolution enlargement. You can then print the map for personal use to your own convenience. However, it is necessary to note that the Amsterdam map presented by this site is protected by the copyright of the authors and cannot be used by any other means.

http://www.worldexecutive.com/

WorldExecutive.com has a city guide section where you can access Amsterdam maps. There are actually two versions of the Amsterdam map presented at this sight. The first one is a city map, while the other is a map of the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. For better view, you need to select a segment of the map by clicking on the overview Amsterdam map.

http://www.amsterdamhotspots.nl/

AmsterdamHotSpots.nl is also out there on the web to give you a map of the city of Amsterdam. The map has advanced navigation mode, and all you need to do with it is to click on a particular section to zoom. What is presented on the map is the 12 major areas in the city: the Waterlooplein, vondelpark, royal palace, Rijksmuseum, rembrandtplein, requliersdwarsstraat, red light district, leidseplein, jordaan, dam, central station, and beqijnhof.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

LonelyPlanet.com is now featuring their Amsterdam map, designed to help tourists and locals alike in identifying what and where part of the city they are in. Just like the Amsterdam maps of the other mentioned sites, the map of LonelyPlanet.com can zoomed in and zoomed out. A map of the Netherlands is even available to allow you to pinpoint where exactly is the city situated in the country. Helpful information regarding the place is even provided for much knowledge.

The Amsterdam Red-Light District

Probably you have heard about the Amsterdam Red-Light District as this is a very famous section in the Netherlands. Much to your surprise, what you may have heard is true! Here are some facts about the Amsterdam Red-Light District, a place unlike any place else.

The famous Amsterdam Red-Light District covers a large area in the oldest part of the city. It has been servicing the personal needs and desires of locals and visitors for five centuries. In this district, music of every genre can be heard along the streets from a dozen or more places late at night. And, it is the classier restaurants, redone streets, and revamped facades that transform what once dark and dingy into one of the most attractive parts of town – the Amsterdam Red-Light District.

Prostitution in the District

Did you know that prostitution is legal in the Netherlands? Yes, it is! It is most concentrated in the Amsterdam Red-Light District where it has enjoyed a long tradition of tolerance. It has been reported that since October 2000, window prostitutes have been allowed to legally ply their trade. Much to your surprise, the prostitutes in the Netherlands are also taxpayers.Amsterdam Red-Light District is actually the safest area in the city as clusters of policemen and private bodyguards employed by the girls themselves are always on duty.

The Chinatown

The Amsterdam Red-Light District is one of the few places on earthy where you can authentic and really tasty Chinese food. The restaurants in this district are easy to find as cooked Duck is typically hung in the front window. However, Chinatown in itself is misleading as there are also dozens of Malaysian, Indonesian and Thai restaurants and cafés scattered along the beautiful canals. Besides there are other Chinese businesses in the Amsterdam Red-Light District, including a well stocked supermarket across from the Waag, near the Nieuwemarkt.

The Red-Light District Today

Amsterdam now prides itself on its wholly liberal and tolerant attitude. The city embraces, with the Amsterdam Red-Light District, embraces the fact that people may be into prostitution, pornography and soft drugs. So, instead of criminalizing everything, Amsterdam wears its heart on its sleeve. What you see is generally what you get. So, how do you get to it? The answer basically lies on which Amsterdam Red-Light District you are looking for. There are actually three Red-Light Districts in the city: the main area is in the Walletjes area, the Singel, and de Pijp.

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Amsterdam Hotels

Speaking of hotels, many of the Amsterdam hotels offer the best accommodation, dining and entertainment. Many of the Amsterdam hotels offers discounts for those who wish to spend their holidays in the city. They usually feature up to 75 percent discount in their standard rates. However, it is important to note that Amsterdam is a busy place during weekends, especially during the high season. Thus, it is best that you book your Amsterdam hotel well in advance.

Recent statistics have shown that more than 3.5 million tourists are coming to visit Amsterdam per year. This popularity stemmed from its being a city of tolerance and diversity with all the advantages of a big city, be it culture, entertainment, international restaurants, good transport, and great hotels.

Here is a short list of the most preferred hotels in Amsterdam.

Lloyd Hotel Amsterdam – This hub currently has the most media coverage of all the Amsterdam hotels. It is very well situated, being nearer to the center of the city, with direct public transport connections. The place also has an easy access from the ring-road. In addition, Lloyd Hotel Amsterdam has parking facilities of its own in a parking garage. It also has restaurants, a bar, a soundproof music room, a library. It offers 116 rooms, ranging from one to five stars, and it is these rooms which offer a different experience to its visitors. What’s more, the rooms in this Amsterdam hotel are beautifully finished with the most exciting Dutch designs in the interior of the rooms. All guests can also enjoy a free high speed internet access, other than satellite television with a unique selection of channels.

Piet Hein Hotel Amsterdam – Unlike Lloyd Hotel, the hotel Piet Hein offers you a pleasant nautical atmosphere. It is situated at the Vondelpark in the heart of Amsterdam, only steps away from the Van Gogh museum, Rijksmuseum, the Modern Art museum, and the lively Leidseplein with casino. As you may have noticed, this Amsterdam hotel is actually located at a beautiful spot in the Museum Quarter.

The Quentin Hotel Amsterdam – It is also five minutes walk away from the beautiful Musuemplein, the home of the Rijksmuseum, with the most important collection of Dutch old masters, sculptures, prints and antique furniture. Located in the core of Amsterdam nightlife, The Quentin is known for her unique atmosphere. It hosts throughout the year a number of the city’s young music bands on a regular basis. The Quentin Amsterdam hotel is also steps away from the Van Gogh Museum that hosts shows with more than 200 of the artist prime works as well as contemporary artists. The colorful Flowers Market, as well as the Waterlooplein flea market are all within a walking distance and can be easily reached from the hotel.

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Amsterdam in Genaral

Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands. It is known throughout the world as one of the greatest small cities in the world. It lies on the banks of two rivers, the Amstel and IJ, and from its canals to the world famous museums and historical sights.

Established in the later 12^th century as a small fishing village on the banks of the Amstel River, Amsterdam has one of the largest historic city centers in Europe. One of the focal point of interest in this city is the Golden Age of Netherlands that dates largely from the 17^th century. It was noted that at this time, a row of concentric, semi-circular canals were built around the older city center, but this establishment still defines the city’s layout and appearance today. Amsterdam now has fine houses and mansions that are situated along the canals. Most of these houses and mansions are lived in, while others are now offices and public buildings.

The City Government

Amsterdam, as all Dutch municipalities, is governed by a mayor, his wethouders (aldermen), and the municipal council. Nevertheless, the city is subdivided into fifteen stadsdelen (boroughs), which is a system implemented in the 1980s to improve local governance. The establishment of this system is what sets Amsterdam unique from other Dutch municipalities. Fourteen of these have their respective council, which is chosen by a popular election. Westerpoort, the fifteenth, covers the harbour of the city and has very few inhabitants. It is also governed by the central municipal council.

The Language

When it comes to language, many of the people in Amsterdam are proud of the fact that just about everyone speaks English. Although many also speak German and French, it is worth noting that in this capital city of Netherlands, it is a tradition that if you are English speaking, then speak English, unless you speak Dutch too because you are more likely to offend than do anyone a favor by trying out your French or German.

The Weather

In Amsterdam, the typical weather ranges from a little around freezing in the depths of winter to typically pleasant sunny days of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius in the summer. There is also a little snow during the winter season. Furthermore, the spring and autumn are pleasant in Amsterdam; however these seasons can be wet, with 100+ mm of rain per month.

Safety and Health

Amsterdam is a safe city, thus there is nothing really to fear from walking in any part of the city. It has been noted that even in the red-light district around the Oude Kerk, tourists are always spotted wandering around. However, as in any large cities in other parts of the world, you should beware of pick pockets. And, don’t try to photograph the women in the red-light district for that would be risky. In terms of water, the water from taps is perfectly drinkable.

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