After successfully hosting our International Yoga Retreats in Bali, we are heading to Europe to welcome travelers and yogis to our Croatia Yoga Retreats from September 8th - 14th 2023. Croatia is one of our new International Yoga Retreats destinations in Europe for 2023. The hidden gem of Europe where we will deepen our passion for yoga, wellness adventure, nature, and culture in a week-long journey.

But before we get to Croatia, we will take you first to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. A home of Reinier Voorwinde, the founder of Drishti Journeys! He spent his childhood and teenager growing up in Amsterdam. Even when he moved to the USA, every once in a while, he made a trip to the Netherlands to spend most of his time in Amsterdam. He enjoys wandering the less-touristy part of Amsterdam, capturing the artistic side of the Netherlands, enjoying fresh oysters with a glass of wine, and walking along the canals through the Dutch historical architecture.

Amsterdam is located in the Western Netherlands, in the province of North Holland, connected to the North Sea through the long North Sea Canal. Amsterdam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, receiving more than 5.34 million international visitors annually and the number of visitors has been growing steadily over the past decade.

You can choose your way to get to Amsterdam conveniently according to your budget, either in an airplane that will take you land at Schipol International Airport. Those who are departing from London, Lille, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Copenhagen, Frankfurt Am Main, and some other big cities within Europe on a train, will also arrive at Amsterdam Schipol Train station which is located directly below the airport. In case you need a helpful reference for a train ticket to Amsterdam, Trainline is what we often use.

Once you get to Amsterdam, probably the next step that you need to figure out is how to get around.

The Netherlands has become a cycling country where biking is the culture. The landscape is flat, great cycling infrastructure and healthier options for humans and the environment are the reasons why getting around on a bike is the number one option. You can go to one of many bike rentals in Amsterdam, and get yourself a good deal if you rent one for more than 24 hours.

Public transportation is very well organized here. Wouldn't be difficult to get around with public transportation even though as a tourist. Just give yourself a time! To see which bus or tram you need to get you to your destination, simply download the GVB.nl.

It doesn't only show you which type of public transportation, which number, and which station you have to take, also you can buy a ticket that suits your travel plan through the app. Remember to always check in and check out with your ticket on any public transportation that you take!

Amsterdam became a major world port during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century when the Netherlands was an economic powerhouse. Amsterdam was the leading center for finance and trade, as well as a hub of the production of secular art. The river Amstel ends in the city center and connects to a large number of canals. The canals of Amsterdam were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2010 contributing to Amsterdam's fame as the "Venice of the North"

To make it easier to explore Amsterdam, let's break it down into 5 parts!

The center is a heritage with a history that stretches back many centuries through the cobbled street, traditional Dutch architecture, luxury boutiques, and arts. There are several places in Amsterdam Centrum that you might find interesting:

a) Take a tram or bus that stops at Museumplein

Those who are into art, both modern and classical arts may find themselves enjoying visiting one of the museums in this area. They are the Stedelijk Museum, Van Gogh Museum, and Rijk Museum. There is more than just the 1800 era of Van Gogh collections available but also far before him, including Rembrandt, one of the greatest painters that have ever lived in the Netherlands. The Concertgebouw (Concert building) was named to be amongst the finest concert halls in the world, standing among the museum buildings.

b) Amsterdam Royal Palace

It is situated on Dam Square in the very center of Amsterdam and is open to the public for scheduled visits. The visitors will be offered an Amsterdam or in general Dutch rich interior and imposing decorations.

c) The Jordaan

Originally built in the 17 century to house the working class and immigrants, the Jordaan neighborhood has slowly become one of the most upscale locations in the Netherlands as it is too home to many art galleries, particularly modern era. Rembrandt is known to spend the last years of his life in the neighborhood. What I remember from visiting Jordaan, is the colorful - traditional Dutch architecture in almost every building.

d) Vondelpark

A huge green area that easily attracts visitors to relax and for the residents to walk their dogs, bike, run, or even have a good time at the restaurants or cafes located inside of the parks.

e) Markets and Big Brand Shopping

Nieuwmarkt and Noordermarkt are some of the few markets open 6 days a week selling various things from food, and second-hand goods to flowers. Dutchreview tells you more information about markets in Amsterdam. If you continue your way to Magna Plaza and De Bijenkorf, you will find more luxurious shopping.

Hop on a free-ferry boat ride that will take you crossing Het Ij (the river IJ) from Amsterdam Central Station to Amsterdam Noord. During the summertime, we consider it can be the perfect location to watch the sunset.

From Amsterdam Central Station, 3 departures are arriving at 3 different spots in the Noord. The closest from the central station, arriving at IJ Plein. The middle, arriving at Buiksloterweg, where the futuristic design of The Eye Filmmuseum is. The left one is the longer ride, arriving at NDSM Museum, a former shipyard.

Some places to explore in Amsterdam Noord on your bike or foot :

Noorderpark - for a walk, bike, and some more activities inside the park.
NDSM, the shipping company for building and repairing existed till 1984. Due to several challenges in the past including financial, the company could not survive anymore. Nowadays, it has become a museum.
STRAAT. It shows you the graffiti and the street arts.
Sunset and Fresh Oyesters at IJKantine. Recommended!

We would suggest you take the ferry boat that leaves from IJKantine back to Amsterdam Central Station for a view of Amsterdam's famous Penthouse on the IJ waterfront.

Amsterdamse Bos

You will be surprised by so many things that you can do at one of the largest city parks in Europe, Amsterdamse Bos, covering an area of 1000 hectares. The well-equipped park makes it a perfect destination for relaxation and leisure, not only for couples but also for families.

Here you can: stay, spa and wellness, excursions, and swimming. The Visitor Centre at the park, the building at the main entrance at the Van Nijenrodeweg - De Boswinkel - will be able to tell you more about the facility and things to do at the park.

Ouderkerk Aan De Amstel

Even the bike ride along the river Amstel feels blissful! We will see the De Zwaan windmill across the river on our bike ride towards Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. The way we would describe Ouderkerk aan de Amstel is a small historical village.

Go behind the Amstelkerk, sit on the bench, and enjoy the view of the river Amstel. Next to it, there is Roman-Chatolic Sint Urbanuskerk with its impressive interior. Beth Haim is the oldest and a huge Jewish Cemetery in the Netherlands. Many famous Jewish rabbis, diplomats, and scientists are buried here among the 28,000 graves. As you sip your coffee at Bakkerij Out, every once in a while, you might see the bridge being pulled up to let the boats underneath cross.

ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo

If you are a wonder of nature, science, and geography, then visit the Amsterdam Royal Zoo. It is a great place to educate ourselves about the nature around us. Find the answer to your small or big question about human and animal existence at The Groot Museum. It is fun to do with the kids as well.

The Hermitage Amsterdam

Since March 2022, The Hermitage has moved to a temporary "home", the H'ART Museum due to a large-scale renovation of the building. What is specific about the H'ART museum is, it brings art and narratives from all over the world to Amsterdam. The upcoming art exhibition will be from September 16th, 2023 to 20th May 2024, Julius Caesars's life and time.

De Hallen and Ten Katemarkt

They are located in the same area, Kinkerbuurt. In Ten Katemarkt you will not only find fresh fish and fresh fruit vendors, but also a little coffee shop, pastry, and delicatessen. In De Hallen, the building that served as a tram depot since 1905, which has gone through some expansions and renovations for different purposes, finally presented itself as the center of culture, arts, f&b, and fashion in 2014.

What will you find at De Hallen nowadays will be:

the indoor food market of De FoodHallen. Try the diverse foods including the Dutch traditional snack of bitterballen!
Film lover, here at De FilmHallen is where you can see Hollywood, award-winning films and documentaries from Europe and around the world.
the OBA library is great for study.

Those are just some of the things that you could find at De Hallen nowadays.

The Molen Van Sloten

Being said the 150-year-old Sloten windmill is still functioning actively to keep the feet of Amsterdamers dry as the city itself is 1-2 meters below the sea level. If you are enthusiastic about the technique of water management or curious about the history of the old Sloten windmill, they offer a tour for the public daily.

Amsterdam is where you can experience the Dutch's diversity and openness. Our suggestion is for you to always keep yourselves up to date to new information and event through various sites available. And at last, wishing you a pleasant stay in Amsterdam!

AMSTERDAM: TIPS AND THINGS TO DO FROM A LOCAL

Drishti Journeys offers international yoga retreats and wellness retreats for everyone.