Welkom in Amsterdam
The freest and most romantic city of all
Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most open cities when it comes to freedom — from coffee shops and LGBT+-friendly accommodation to erotic shopping.
At the same time, it is a metropolis with a rich culture and history. The ring of canals around the city center has earned Amsterdam the nickname “Venice of the North”, with its historic merchant houses, warehouses, quays, and more than 1,000 bridges.
Cyclist’s Paradise
As a young architect, I visited the city with my partner to discover museums and architecture, such as the Beurs van Berlage.
When travelling abroad, however, it is important to respect local rules. On the first day, we used the bikes we had brought with us: good-quality gears, but only a small lock.
Those bikes were stolen after our very first museum visit. From then on, we chose cheap bikes with no gears and a very large lock.
Amsterdam, with no hills at all, is a paradise on earth for cyclists — and from that moment on, we had a great time.
Champions of Trade
There is certainly much more that could be said about the Netherlands. I have little to add to the usual clichés about flower fields, windmills, wooden clogs, or cheese.
What I can share from personal experience, however, is that the Dutch are remarkably inventive and creative entrepreneurs. They adapt easily across languages and are very open to new ideas and change.
Trade has, of course, always been a major source of prosperity for a people living so closely connected to international waters.
Open-Mindedness and Creativity
What strikes me most in the center of Amsterdam is the creative and carefully curated storefront design, so different from the anonymous shopping streets that are becoming increasingly empty in many of our cities.
Here, pedestrians, cyclists, and trams blend together in a lively rhythm, moving through narrow streets and along the canals.
Anyone interested in interior design who takes an evening walk can also glimpse into many apartments and get a sense of how locals live, as the Dutch have a very open mindset — hardly anyone has curtains or shutters.
A multicultural city that makes you want to discover more.