Amsterdam canal cruise with a difference: Hot Tug

When in Amsterdam...a canal cruise is always a great idea. The best way to explore Amsterdam, the city built on water is with a local on a small boat. However, boating is seasonal with many Amsterdammers storing their boats away for the cold months.

Hot Tug in front of Hotel d'Europe


The Hot Tug is a boat that enables you to enjoy Amsterdam in all weather. Simply the boat is a hot tub. A new concept boat, the Hot Tug was launched at the Amsterdam Boat Show in September 2012.  Fueled by a wood fired heater the water can be warmed to 38 degrees Celsius. The designer of the boat wanted people to become part of their environment. In the Hot Tug in Amsterdam you become part of Amsterdam with only a small separation between you and the water.

Hot Tug in East of Amsterdam


The Hot Tug is a design of Frank de Bruijn owner of Supergoed. Frank's background is in sculpture. He attended the illustrious Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. De Bruijn also has a passion for physics and engineering. His furniture has been exhibited in many of the country's museums.   


Hot Tug in Red Light District (De Wallen)


Currently the makers of Hot Tug are working hard to allow the boat available to Amsterdammers and our guests. Keep posted to see where, when and how much it would cost to hire this Amsterdam canal cruise with a difference.

When in Amsterdam....enjoy!



When in Amsterdam... - Blogged

Amsterdam's Cannabis Cup: 25th edition

When in Amsterdam....you can access and use small amounts of soft drugs, cannabis and hashish in licensed businesses.  Once a year the industry holds a week long event to share ideas and network. People from all over the world travel to Amsterdam for the event, which culminates in the Cannabis Cup awards on Thanksgiving Day. This year the event was held surprisingly close to Amsterdam's centre at Roest.


Participants of the Amsterdam Cannabis Cup vote on categories such as best seeds, hash, and cannabis products. This year the main Coffeeshop prizes were all taken by the GreenHouse, with GreenPlace and Grey Area filling the minor rankings.

Many coffeeshops were absent from the event this year. (Note: Coffeeshop is a term in Amsterdam for a licensed business where you can buy small amounts of soft drugs). At the exhibition hall no Coffeeshops had stalls. This was a major departure from previous years.

In 2011, police raided the event that was held just outside Amsterdam to check stall holders and participants were adhering to strict amounts allowed to be carried; 5 grams per person and 500 grams per stall. This was the first time in 25 years the event had been raided by the police.

No major incidents were reported this year and the event ran smoothly. The biggest problem When in Amsterdam saw was security having to remind event participants that they could not smoke in the wonderfully industrial Roest bar and restaurant.



Many are critical of the The Cannabis Cup which is now in its 25th year. From an industry perspective some believe the judging model is influenced by the large Coffeeshops who invest in the event. All participants are judges and determining which is the best product can be hard due to the influence these soft drugs have on your body and mind.



People not involved in the Cannabis Cup believe it is just a marketing exercise by the small number of financially interested parties involved. This argument surrounds all award competitions even the Oscars.

When in Amsterdam's favorite booth was the hemp clothing. A plant the world has not used widely since the creation of synthetic fibers in the early 20th century. On a cold Fall Amsterdam day they were a well made natural product.



Despite the criticisms Amsterdam is the real star of the event. Amsterdam, its people and authorities, have allowed a space that is safe and free for industry people of soft drugs to discuss their passion and business in the open. Few other cities in the world demonstrate such maturity and tolerance as Amsterdam.

When in Amsterdam....enjoy!


When in Amsterdam... - Blogged

Amsterdam Museum Night 2012: diary

When in Amsterdam....Museum Night is when 50 museums are open to 2am. After a good home cooked dinner with friends we mounted our bikes and headed off to experience Amsterdam museums by night. Here is is our diary of the night.


Museumnacht Amsterdam 2012 Day After Movie from Stichting n8 on Vimeo.


Het Grachtenhuis (The Canal House): Message in a bottle.

The Canal house is a private funded museum located in the heart of Amsterdam's world heritage listed canals. The museum has a small exhibition on how the grand canals of Amsterdam were built. This year it was also the location to sign up for the Museumnacht canal cruise.

We skipped the long line and decided to write a message to the Mayor in a bottle. Our suggestion was that Amsterdam city bring back the large free concerts on the Dam Square.

Message in a bottle to the Mayor of Amsterdam


Arti et Amicitiae is an closed Amsterdam art-society founded in 1839.

The society created an art in the dark exhibition. Visitors were given a simple bike light to view art. Dancing robots, photography and installations were brought alive with small lights. The large black ball in a small room was a highlight. Visitors could push the ball around like a reverse jumping castle. Fun. In the wonderful bar of the 19th century building we listened to poetry readings and enjoyed a beer.

Black fun ball in a black room. Art in the Dark at Arti et Amicitiae


Oudekerk (Amsterdam's Old Church) presents Rocket Cinema

The Gothic style church hosted old black and white Gothic movies from the late 1920s and 30s. The church, located in the middle of the Red Light District was filled with a Hunchback of Notre Dame soundtrack composed by a local artist. The organ concert was chilling. A wonderful little mobile cinema was also parked inside. The piccolo cinema had room enough for two.

Oudekerk Museumnacht 2012


Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder (Amsterdam's Our Lord in the Attic)

Amsterdam's oldest museum is a hidden Catholic church in a 17 century canal house.There was no special exhibition but to spend time in the hidden church while the rain came and went outside was a religious experience.

Hidden Catholic church Museumnacht 2012


De Apple Arts Centre

The Apple is a internationally orientated arts centre. Since 1975 it has been a place to research, explore and present contemporary art.

Museum night was the end of the Apple Centre's "Vote Back" exhibition.



The political exhibition highlights were the Geert Wilders Webshop and political Karaoke. We had great fun being Martin Luther King, Obama and Margret Thatcher. One of our group was considered the best Thatcher of the night and walked away with a free t-shirt with political patterns.

Politic Karaoke, Apple Arts Centre


Verzetsmuseum (Dutch Resistance Museum)

Amsterdam's Resistance Museum sometimes sits in the shadow of the Anne Frank House but it is the premiere World War II museum.



For museum night a special exhibition of WWII propaganda cartoons called "(Anti) Hero:  Captain America". Comics and cartoons were dusted off and brought to the museum hall.



The old Donald Duck cartoons of the famous duck taking on the Nazis was a rare insight into the war years of the 1940s. The rock band was also great with people jigging and jiving the night away.

WWII American Jeep with the Museumnacht light


On the way home we finished with the Portuguese Synagogue for a moment of peace underneath the 700 natural candles.

As always the event was a great local night. A big hearty thank you  and thumbs up to all those involved in organizing Amsterdam's Museumnacht 2012. See you next year.

Amsterdam Museumnacht 2012 gets a big thumbs up.


When in Amsterdam...enjoy!








When in Amsterdam... - Blogged

Museum Night Amsterdam 2012


When in Amsterdam...Museumnacht is once a year. Museum Night is an event when 50 museums throughout Amsterdam are open until 2am. Museum's fill with Djs, bands and special events. One big cultural party is held all over Amsterdam. In 2012 Museumnacht is November 3. The first weekend of November always experiences cold and possibly wet weather.

Have a read of what When in Amsterdam got up to on Museum Night 2011.

This year highlights will include:
Portuguese Synagogue with a jazz trio naturally lit

  • The Applesap people are holding a music extravaganza in the Tropenmuseum.
  • Amsterdam's new film museum, Eye, will hold a zombie party.
  • A midnight Yoga session will be held in the New church surrounded by Andy Warhol art work.
  • The Portuguese synagogue will be lit with hundreds of candles. If like last year a tasty falafel can be pickup up. Men have to wear a yarmulke (skull cap) which is supplied.
Ticket can be bought online at the N8 website or at Primera newsagents through out Amsterdam. There are only 27 500 tickets. Do not leave to the last minute as this event is always sold out.


Museum Night Tickets 2012

Primera shops will be selling Museum Night tickets in 2012.
When in Amsterdam....enjoy!

No Dutch Weed Pass for Amsterdam Cannabis Coffee Shops

When in Amsterdam....there will be no weed pass to enter Amsterdam Cannabis Coffeeshops. Politicians announce that the controversial weed pass will not be implemented in Amsterdam or other major Dutch cities.

Amsterdam Cannabis Coffeeshop. Photo OMy Amsterdam Tours


The weed pass was a new measure by the old coalition government that collapsed earlier this year in April. From May 2012 a pilot phase of the weed pass was introduced into towns in some land border provinces of the Netherlands.

The weed pass meant that you had to register to be a member of a Cannabis Coffeeshop to enter. To be a member you had to be a Dutch resident.

The result was that:

  • Dutch people did not want to sign up for a Cannabis Coffeeshop membership.
  • Cannabis Coffeeshops closed out of protest.
  • Street dealing increased in weed pass areas. 
  • Many street dealers were underage children.
  • Dutch police had place resources on an issue that they had not dealt with on such a scale in decades.
  • The Dutch justice systems had to address and allocate time to issues that had not been before the courts in some time.
  • Public safety decreased because of street dealing.
  • Local jobs were lost to the closure of the Cannabis Coffeeshops.
  • Government lost revenue because cannabis coffeeshops were closed.
  • The Netherlands government was accused of discrimination by interests groups.
  • The Netherlands was laughed at by members and organisations of the international community.
  • The policy did not address the issue organised crime's involvement in the market.
Dutch joints

The new measures to be introduced in a phase-in-period mean:
  • You will need a Dutch passport or Dutch ID to enter coffeeshops
There are no details yet on when the new policy will be begin in Amsterdam.

There are still no infringement for a non-Dutch resident to carry less than 5 grams of Cannabis or hash.

When in Amsterdam....enjoy!




When in Amsterdam... - Blogged

Overview of Amsterdam Dance Event 2012 by The LoneRaver


When in Amsterdam....in late October, every year the Amsterdam Dance Event, the world's leading electronic music conference takes place for 5 days. This makes Amsterdam the center of the electronic music world to party and talk business in October. This topic deserves When in Amsterdam to invite a specialist. We warmly welcome our first guest blogger The LoneRaver to share insight on this global event.

Right then my fellow Raver's this is the week we've been waiting for, the time to start getting overly excited about ADE has arrived. If electronic music is your thing then your probably well aware of the ensuing madness that is about to take over this fine city of ours but if you are an outsider looking in then you may be wondering what all the fuss is about and why there is so many yellow and black flags fluttering away in the rain. So for those wondering I'll let you in on a little secret, come closer, it's the world's biggest club festival for electronic music.

Every year the festival seams to get bigger and better with more innovative venues being utilized, a wider range of styles represented and a growing number of international visitors streaming into the arrival lounge's of Schipol and Centraal station. It's now a can't miss opportunity for some of the worlds greatest parties to display the creativity and vision that makes them such a hit in their respective homelands with showcase's from Secretsundaze, Awakenings, Ministry of Sound and what appear's at first glance to be an after hours a day from Electric Deluxe.

Photo Credit: Martijn Klijmij


The whole shebang officially kicks off on the Wednesday but that won't stop the sneaky folk at Studio 80 from getting in there first with a tuesday night "Saved" special featuring NIcFanciulli, Robert Dietz and Subb-An, However the starters gun officially fires on Wednesday and I'll be heading out for early drinks and beats at the Cue Bar for the Sleepwalkers showcase before making the short bike ride to Trouw for, in my opinion, the venues highlight night of ADE. Seth Troxler and Makam are guest's in the main room with Sandrien inviting Ben Klock to deliver the techno downstairs in De Verdieping. Other highlights include Carl Craig, Paul Woolford and Nina Kravitz at MC Theater and Josh Wink and Steve Bug at Chicago Social Club.

Thursday brings the ADE debut of "The Amsterdam Convention Factory" as a venue, this vast former Stork factory should prove the perfect place for Ame, Extrawelt and Oliver Koletzki to perform live deep house music in a suitably industrial venue. Elsewhere On and On go for a 10 hour special at the Transformatorhuis in Westerparc with special guest Shifted while Amsterdam Drum and Bass institute Cheeky Monday's throw a party to launch their new label of the same name with special guest Nicky Blackmarket amply supported by mainstays Sinistah and Insom to name a few.

One of the first thing's I noticed when perusing the program was that the afterhour parties that have been notable in their absence in previous years are well represented from the friday morning through to monday giving it a truly 24 hour vibe that the event has previously lacked and the first of these we will take in is when newly opened Club Lite invites Berlin's Frucht Records for a special all day session starting from 6am till mid afternoon. Later in the day the Click crew put together a 12 hour special at the Westerunie complex with The Advent, Slam, Monika Kruse and local legend Steve Rachmad the pick of the bunch. Staying in the west, Elastic Artist's present's a UK special with Julio Bashmore, Joy Orbison and Lone taking to the controls in the MC Theater.

Photo Credit: Betribes


Friday's highlight comes in the form of the "Next Mondays Hangover's" ADE special. Known for picking unusual venues and locations for their parties the NMH crew do not disappoint on this front again as "Het Sieraad" is chosen to host a Mobilee special. While living a mere 200 meter's away I had no idea this place had the potential to be used for a rave up but upon closer inspection it almost shout's out party and with Pan-Pot, Anja Schneider, Sebo K and a live set from Rodriguez JR this will be one to remember.

Saturday is the traditional big night in clubland and with no fewer than 70 different events taking place all over the city this serves as proof of that and its gonna be very hard to choose where to dance the night away. So to continue the loose theme of unusual venues that appears to have developed in this piece we start the night off in the former squat bar Cafe't Schuim for Delicious Grooves meets Cosmic Disco before heading east to get down at Roest, a former gasworks building, for the Weerloos Label night were Santa Ballistol offer something very different from the usual with a live performance of jazz infused techno with live poetry providing the vocals for this experimental live ensemble. Staying east Studio K host's VBX goes Berlin Underground with Margaret Dygas, Vera and Carlos Valdes.

Later on we head back into the city to take in Schmeck Pony's ADE special at Club Home as they attempt a 16 hour marathon starting at 11pm and taking us nicely into Sunday with a genuine international line up including Christian Smith, Mauro Picotto, Dosem and Amsterdam's very own Bart Sklls.

Photo Credit: Emma Pierre


So Sunday is upon us and as we try to shake of the dreaded feeling that the fun is almost over the festival continues to throw up some huge names with Detroit Legend Jeff Mills taking his familiar position behind the decks and R-909 at OT301 for a 6 hour set, Speedy J and Sandwell District performing at the Melkweg followed by Soul Clap taking on Wolf and Lamb later in the day. However the final destination for us on this journey through ADE is back to Studio 80 for secretsundaze first full blown ADE Party. After occupying Studio 80's back room last year the London main stay takes over the whole place this time round and invites Motor City Drum Ensemble, Delano Smith, Brawther and Patrice Scott to join mainstays Giles Smith and James Priestly for one final blow out that promise's to be up there with very best of the last few days.

So that rounds up my take on this years ADE but I can't get across the scale of the event in 1000 woods so head to www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl for full listings and details about ticket's times etc.

Have a good one and if I have one top tip it's book your tickets in advance, especially for the after hours

The LoneRaver


Photo credit: Roy Laros


Part of this article was published in Amsterdo's October edition.

When in Amsterdam....enjoy!



When in Amsterdam... - Blogged

Amsterdam's Old Church attacked by Robots in Tears of Steel

When in Amsterdam....understand Amsterdam has a thriving IT industry. The Blender Foundation is a Non-Profit Organization that spreads the word of Blender. Blender is a 3-D open source modelling program created by Foundation Chair Ton Roosendaal.

Established in 2002 the Blender Foundation has been supported by entrepreneurs, Netherlands Film Fund and  companies. The Foundation brings together talent to work on projects. The Blender Foundation also organizes an annual conference to support and share experiences and developments in the 3-D arena. The latest product is Tears of Steel.

Tears of Steel is the fourth project the Blender Foundation has produced. Watch as the iconic Old Church of Amsterdam in the middle of the Red Light District is overtaken by Robots. When in Amsterdam...Enjoy!




When in Amsterdam... - Blogged

IPhone 5 hits Amsterdam streets


When in Amsterdam...look out for product launches. Amsterdam as a diverse and international city is always a test case for new products.

Many have been gripped this week with the release of the IPhone 5. People have linned up for days and the pre-orders have topped 2 million for the new phone. The phone's ticket price is around 600 euros. Pranksters from Amsterdam's Apple shop decided to glue a new phones to Leidseplein, one the main squares in town. They sat back and enjoyed the site of passing people trying to pick up the phone. See the results. 




When in Amsterdam....Enjoy!

When in Amsterdam... - Blogged

Art in Amsterdam's Red Light District

When in Amsterdam....the Red Light District hosts an Art Fair once a year. AIR (Art in the Red Light) is now in its 8th year. Contemporary Art, Photography and Jewelry go on display in the Old Church of Amsterdam.

AIR has been at the forefront to diversify Amsterdam's notorious Red Light District. The exhibition is displayed in the Gothic church in the middle of the district. This year the exhibition extends to the windows of the Church's outbuildings.
Installation by Jompet Kuswidanato  

59 local and international Artists are on display. Local artists include product designer Marjan van Aubel, landscape photographer and Amsterdam resident Wouter van Buuren and jeweler to the celebrities Otazu. International guests include acclaimed Indonesian visual artist Jompet Kuswidanato, Icelander and instillation artist Thorvaldur Thorsteinsson, and video, performance London artist Alexis Milne winner of the Start Point Prize.


Installation by Razia Barsatie


By Midas Zwaan


Printed Glass by Deborah Roffel

Paintings by Thorvaldur Thorsteinsson
By Tjalling Visser

In addition that all the art pieces are for sale each Artist provides a piece for auction. This auction is held towards the end of the exhibition. Part of the proceeds go to charity. AIR is supports Orange Babies, an organization that assist those suffering  AIDS in Africa.

The AIR exhibition runs 20 -23 September at the Old Church in Amsterdam.

The exhibition is free with admission. Those with an IAmsterdam Card or a Museum Card entrance is free.

When in Amsterdam...enjoy!


When in Amsterdam... - Blogged

WW II Hero Honored with Amsterdam Bridge Name

When in Amsterdam....look at the names on our bridges. Amsterdam has over 2000 bridges. Many have been named after prominent people from Amsterdam.

On September 2, 2012, Bridge 234 was named the Pieter Meerburg Bridge. This bridge is located on the Nieuwe Keizesgracht near the Portuguese Synagogue and the Jewish Historic Museum.

Pieter Meerburg


Pieter Meerburg is credited with saving the lives of 350 Amsterdam children during the Nazi occupation. Meerburg was a student in Amsterdam during the Second World War. He organized Amsterdam Jewish children to be smuggled to safety and adopt a new identity.

The organization Pieter led was called the Amsterdam Student Group. Composed entirely of volunteers, the students, men and women, would pretend the Jewish babies were their own. They were assisted by an Amsterdam pediatrician Dr. Fiedeldij Dop. The doctor would cycle around to families whom were close to deportation and ask them entrust their infants to Meerburg.

When demand exceeded the number of safe houses Meerburg talked local business owners into providing sanctuary for the young Amsterdammers.

Bridge 234 now the Meerburg Bridge

Meerburg was titled "Righteous Among Nations" by the Israel association for Holocaust Remembrance in 1974. Pieter Meeburg died in 2010.

When in Amsterdam....look at our bridge names. There is a story at every bridge.


When in Amsterdam... - Blogged

Amsterdam Monument Day

When in Amsterdam....in beginning of September Amsterdam opens monuments for the public. Amsterdam  Monument Day  allow people to access areas not normally open to the public. Best of all the event is Free!

http://www.amsterdam.nl/toerisme-vrije-tijd/evenementen/openmonumentendag/open-monumentendag-0/


This year 65 monuments are open. Each year there is a theme for 2012 it was Going Green in 2014 it was transport. Check their website for update information. Click here for a map of the locations.

The weekend is not just open monuments. There is a full program of events, walking and bike tours, and workshops. There is something for all ages. A children's program has also been developed for the youngsters.

Most of the information is in Dutch but there is a substantial English program.

A few of the buildings can only accommodate limited number of guests and reserved tickets are needed. At the moment of writing all were taken. Reserved tickets that are not claimed can be asked for at the main information center. Provided the days' popularity do prepare for lines for these tickets.The main information center for the weekend is the Amsterdam City Archives. Locally known as the Bazel Building.

Great weather is forecast for the event so get out an enjoy cultural Amsterdam.

The Omy Amsterdam Tours' City Centre Tour will incorporate the event in the tour on September 8 and 9. Tour group size is limited to 5 people. Limited space is available. Book here.

When in Amsterdam....enjoy!



When in Amsterdam... - Blogged

Amsterdam's International Students: a few tips


When in Amsterdam...every year in August international students come to live in our beautiful city. OMY Amsterdam Tours and other independent tour operators come together to introduce Amsterdam to our new international students.

Amsterdam has always recognized the importance of international relations. Visiting students become an important part of our community and ambassadors of the city for life.

Welcome new International Students of Amsterdam


However, arriving in Amsterdam to live or visit is daunting. The body's senses overload with new sounds, sights and smells. Bicycles wizz past with little respect for pedestrians and the streets are like a Daedalus Labyrinth.

For our new international students we have these tips:



Culture:

Get a Museum Card.

For just under 50 euros this card is worth every cent. You will have access to most of the museums in the city and hundreds throughout the country. The card allows unlimited access from the time of purchase for 365 days. On the rainy days before class pop into a museum for 10 -15 minutes and learn the history of beautiful Amsterdam.

Put Museum Night in your diary NOW. You will have to buy a ticket but this will be the best night of your semester in Amsterdam. Amsterdam museums open until 2am for one night of the year. Our cultural guardian museums fill with bands, DJs, special exhibitions targeting people 18-35 years old. Most major cities have such a night. Every year this event is sold out. In Amsterdam in 2012 it is November 3. Tickets go on sale October 3. Put it on your calender NOW. You can thank us later.

Transport

Get a bike

You won't be able to beat the all mighty bicycle in Amsterdam over six months so you may as well join us. If you are uneasy on a bike go to one of our open, quiet, squares or parks and practice. Do what the young childeren do when they start, go around and around in circles at different speeds. The cheapest legal bike you can buy is with ASVA. They meet once a week at the Student Information Centrum to sell bikes for around 55 euros.

Invest in good locks

Thousands of bikes are stolen each year in Amsterdam. You don't want to loose bike if you can help it. A two lock system is mandatory.

Learn to lock you bike

Never step away from your bike unlocked. Amsterdammers will attest to this. Always lock to something sturdy so you bike cannot be carried away or tossed into the canals. Always lock the front wheel to the frame. There is nothing worse then wheeling you bike home with one wheel.

Your bicycle will become you best friend in Amsterdam. Many students have fallen in love with their two wheel steeds. At the end of their stay they often ship their old Dutch bike home despite the cost.

Public Transport

Instead of bike you may need to use the public transport network. Get a discount card. For around 50 euros a year you get a 40% discount on public transport. If the website is too much go to the Centraal Station to speak to the people at GVB for advice.


Shopping

Learn your local street market. Every neighborhood has one. The produce, in many instances is cheaper than the supermarket. The marketers are true hardy Amsterdammers. They stand out no matter what the weather. They are small business owners. Entrepreneurial spirit is at the heart of Amsterdam. Support them and Amsterdam becomes stronger.

Buy Flowers at your local market. Amsterdam street markets have access to the largest flower in the market in the world down the road. You can pick up flowers all year around for the price of a pint of beer. You will live in no other place in the western world and buy flowers so affordable.


Albert Heijn

The major supermarket chain in the Netherlands. Not always the most affordable AH is normally the most accessible  Make sure you get a bonus card. What discounts are on offer can only be afforded with a Bonus Card.

Alternative Supermarkets 

Dirk van den Broek is cheaper from Albert Hein by around 30% but no fish or meat.

Lidl is another affordable option.

C1000 is positioned in outer Amsterdam

Cheap Eats

The old city center does not offer to many cheap student meals. A few good places are located around the University of Amsterdam buildings.

T'Pakhuis - simple sturdy pub meals at good prices. Perfect for that night when you want to eat out. Prepare for a wait as the place is always busy.

Broodje Bert - (Single 321) A sandwich that resembles a mountain. This sandwich can not be eaten with your hands it is so big.

Walking Tours:

OMY Amsterdam Tours encourages our international students to learn about Amsterdam. If you have friends or family members visiting bring them on our City Centre, Red Light or Neighborhood Tours.

A 2-4-1 offer on demonstration of your University of Amsterdam student card will be offered until June 1 2013. Mention your student card in booking and bring it to the tour. Maximum of two student cards per tour.

If you have a group of international students and want to take one of our tours we will provide you a competitive price. All OMY tour guides were students. Check out our reviews.

Add to the knowledge

If you have a tips or advice to add please share. This way next year we can pass on your tips to the next international students in Amsterdam.

Most importantly when in Amsterdam ....ENJOY!





When in Amsterdam... - Blogged

Restaurant Day Amsterdam off to Steaming Start

When in Amsterdam....joined the 1st Restaurant Day in Amsterdam. A culurary festival that encourages pop up restaurants all around the world. Amsterdam had a steaming start with 8 pop up eateries and bars springing into action. Amsterdam also decided to heat things up with the weather reaching a sweltering 34 degrees.



We had plans to head to a couple locations. We had downloaded the app from the website and jumped on our bikes. We headed down to Vondel Park for a brunch of a Lemon meringue tart and a Serrano ham, rocket and tomato sandwich. Both were great but the location was ideal. Nestled in the shade of Vondel Park's trees we escaped the abnormal warmth. After digesting we jumped on our bikes with the best of intentions but the heat got the best of us.



The next Restaurant Day is scheduled for 17 November. We have already penciled into the calendar. If you love to cook and have some space join the movement and sign up for the day at their website.



Amsterdam has a history of underground restaurants battling the local Municipality's Food Authority. Amsterdammers also have a history of rebelling against the authorities. We shall see what develops but what could be better than to stand up for weird and wonderful food creations.


Restaurant Day started in Finland in 2011. In Finland it is turning into a well attended quarterly event. This last edition 710 location were in Finland, with over half of these in Helsinki.

The concept has spread quickly. The sixth edition on the third weekend of August spread across 17 countries. Over six hundred pop ups from Australia to Scandinavia.

Now Amsterdam is added to that number. If you are a Facebooker then join the local RD Amsterdam page to keep up with late changes and up to date locations.

When in Amsterdam....enjoy!



When in Amsterdam... - Blogged