Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of bookpleasures.com and sketchandtravel.com is excited to have as our guest, Andy Herbach.

Andy is an attorney in Milwaukee, WI, and is the author of Amsterdam Made Easy, as well as several other books, Open Road's Paris Made Easy, and co-author of Eating & Drinking in Paris, Eating & Drinking in Italy, Eating & Drinking in Spain, and Eating & Drinking in Latin America.


Today, Andy is here to discuss Amsterdam.

Good day Andy and thank you for agreeing to participate in our interview.

Norm:

Could you tell our readers what made you want to write about Amsterdam and why does this city attract you?

Andy:

Amsterdam has more canals than Venice, more bridges than Paris, more bicycles than cars, and perhaps more tolerance than any other city in the world. It's what makes Amsterdam truly unique & and such a wonderful place to visit.

Because the city is so compact, you can see a lot even if your stay is short and its sights are as diverse as its residents, including beautiful churches, lovely gardens, and, of course, the infamous Red-Light District.

If you're interested in museums, there's something for everyone. The famous Rijksmuseum offers paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, the Stedelijk Museum has contemporary art, and the Torture Museum & well, how should I say this? & is filled with stuff you probably didn't need to see!
Cultured, vibrant, fun and easy to get around Amsterdam is the perfect European city to explore.

Norm:

If you had chose 8 of the most romantic venues in Amsterdam for a romantic getaway or even a wedding celebration, which ones would they be and why?

Andy:

A romantic evening on Amsterdam's most beautiful canal:

Restaurant De Belhamel
60 Brouwersgracht
Tel. 020/622-1095
Open daily 6pm-10pm

This restaurant has a beautiful small bar and an excellent reputation. The view down the canal adds to the charm. Moderate Expensive

A beautiful stroll among the flowers:

Bloemenmarkt
(Flower Market)
Singel between Koningsplein and Muntplein
Open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm
Admission: Free

Stalls selling cut flowers and bulbs are sold from floating anchored barges on the Singel Canal. It's incredibly fragrant and a great photo opportunity. Don't miss a walk though this beautiful sight. It's the only floating flower market in the world.

Walk in a romantic park in the middle of the city:

Vondelpark
South of Leidseplein and northwest of Museumplein

This 120-acre park was named after Joost van den Vondel, a Dutch poet (there's a statue of him in the park). In the summer, it's filled with locals enjoying this large green space near the city center. Explore the paths, lakes, rose garden, bandstand, outdoor theater, and strange-looking round Blue Teahouse (Blauwe Theehuis) overlooking the lake.

A day-trip to a romantic town:

Haarlem
12 miles (19 km) west of Amsterdam (route A5 in the direction of Haarlem)
Many trains daily from Centraal Station. 20-minute trip (about ¬12 round-trip)

Haarlem is an easy day-trip from Amsterdam. It has a lovely market square, compact historic center, 16th- and 17th-century buildings, and canals. It's a smaller and more sedate version of Amsterdam. Most major sights are within easy walking distance of each other.


One of the most interesting and most romantic things you can do in Amsterdam is walk along the beautiful canals that circle the city. Here are three romantic walks:

A walk down the Prinsengracht canal:

You'll pass these sights on a romantic walk down this lovely canal: North Church, West Church, Anne Frank House, and Leidseplein. 

A walk down the Keizersgracht Canal:

You'll pass these sights on a romantic walk down this lovely canal: House With the Heads, the Van Loon Museum, and the Skinny Bridge. 

A walk down the Herengracht Canal:

You'll pass these sights on a romantic walk down this lovely canal: Theatermuseum, Biblical Museum, Golden Bend, and Rembrandtplein

More than romance:

You really can't visit Amsterdam without walking through the red-light district. It's a new spin on window-shopping! Prostitution has been regulated and, of course, taxed in Amsterdam since 1984, and even has its own union. Along the narrow streets of the Red-Light District, women and some men wait in windows for their next customer. The storefront rooms have curtains that are closed when business is being conducted. You'll see lots of foreign businessmen and tourists milling around (many very drunk). Be careful at night as the area is a prime pickpocket spot. By the way, don't even think about taking photos. Your camera will likely be confiscated.

From sex clubs to live sex shows, sex is a big part of Amsterdam's tourist industry. Locals don't bat an eye at any of this, but you might. If you're not interested in seeing any of it, stay away from the Red-Light District and the area around it. You can easily visit Amsterdam's other wonderful sights without encountering any of the sex industry.

Norm:

When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?

Andy:

Temperatures dip to around freezing in winter. Fall and spring are pleasant, but

Norm:

Could you tell our readers something about your book, Amsterdam Made Easy?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Norm Goldman is the Editor of the travel site, sketchandtravel.com and the book reviewing and author interviewing site, bookpleasures.com. Norm also offers his own personal express book review service that you can find out more about by clicking HERE