Amsterdam, capital city of the Netherlands, is one of our favorite places. It mixes ultra-modern buildings with historic architecture. It is culturally diverse, yet fiercely unique. The Dutch are known for being environmentally aware and for their progressive work ethic, yet traditionalism is obvious in clothing styles, transportation, and cuisine. Even during the harsh winter seasons when brisk ocean breezes from the North Sea lower the temperature, residents don’t seem to mind. They just adapt to whatever the season and enjoy the beautiful picture-perfect settings.
The daily routine of Amsterdam is evidenced as residents and travelers take to the streets on bicycles, mopeds, or on foot. Is it just a convenient way to get around, or is it the preferred mode of transportation because of the progressive nature of the Dutch to be environmentally aware? Amsterdam holds the title of being one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world.
After eating tasty Dutch cuisine for several days, we set out to try something new. One of our finds was a culinary delight called the Aneka Rasa Restaurant. It is a small eatery tucked away in a cozy narrow building not far from Central Station. It offers authentic Indonesian fare that is delicious as it is affordable. Meals are served family style, so you’ll want to try a little of everything.
One of the best ways to see the sights from a different perspective is by taking a canal cruise. Nicknamed “Venice of the North” this city’s canals are home to colorfully painted houseboats, each with their own style of decking and flower pot gardens. The low-arching bridges are dimly lit in the evenings, giving the appearance of tiny fireflies dancing on the water.
Not far out of Amsterdam is a wonderful place to take a bicycle tour of a windmill region. The windmills at Kinderdijk are a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Netherlands. Although thousands visit the area every year, it is relatively unknown that each windmill is a private residence where the family works to maintain the water table for the entire farming region. This country has much to be proud of for so many reasons. I can see us going back there sometime very soon.
Have you ever been to Amsterdam? I’d love to hear your comments. 
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How was the Dutch food? Should I put this on my list of foodie places? I love the picture of the windmills. There is something about them that has a calming effect…
The Dutch love their cheese, so delicious and hearty comfort food is everywhere! The Indonesian restaurant was referred to us by our tour guide from the Rhine River cruise, so it’s a great foodie place. As for the windmills, they were amazing! Very small rooms with built-in everything. And the residents climb those steep little steps all day long!