Sight Smell & Taste In Amsterdam
Known for its world class art and cultural scene, Amsterdam is one of the most preferred tourist destinations in all of Europe. Roughly 4.8 million visitors flock to the cobblestone streets of Amsterdam each year, coming from all over the world. The majority of the city’s visitors come from across Europe, but a great and many Americans vacation in Amsterdam annually as well.
Amsterdam is probably most famous for its red light district and the legalization of marijuana sold in cafés throughout the city. But truth be told there is so much more to the city. In addition to being a social and cultural hot spot in Europe, Amsterdam boasts a flourishing art scene.
Artists in all styles and mediums enjoy borrowing from Amsterdam’s rich cultural history. You don’t have to go far to find breathtaking art in Amsterdam as the city is home to countless galleries and several world class museums. The city even hosts a number of highly attended annual art festivals celebrating the various styles found in Amsterdam. The Rembrandt festival can last up to a year in time, and is attended by art lovers and critics from across the globe.
Of course Amsterdam is most widely known for Dutch impressionism. The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Stedelijk Museum attract millions of visitors each year with their impeccable collections of Dutch impressionist pieces. Van Gogh loved the city so much he spent a portion of his life as an Amsterdam resident during the golden age of impressionism. Van Gogh’s influence has left a considerable impact on the art scene in Amsterdam. If you’re into Dutch impressionist art Amsterdam hosts a variety of priceless collections you’re not likely to find anywhere else in the world.
Of course the brush and clay aren’t the only artistic mediums you’ll enjoy in Amsterdam. The city is home to some of the finest culinary creations in the entire world. Borrowing from the melting pot atmosphere of the city, Amsterdam restaurants offer a wide range of culinary options spanning every major region and continent. Food in Amsterdam is diverse, and it’s easy to find everything from 4 star cuisines to street side snacks to suit your appetite. One of the local favorite fares is frits, the Dutch’s version of the American French fry. What makes frits unique is that they are double deep fried to give them a crispy hot shell that adds flavor and texture distinguishing them from their American counterpart.
Of course if deep fried foods aren’t your thing you’ll find a variety of cuisine to suit your palette in Amsterdam. Some of the favorite Dutch meals include staples of meat and potatoes including hearty stews and variations of regional smoked sausages and pork cuts known as metwersts. If you’re a meat and potatoes kind of guy, you’ll love the traditional Dutch offerings found throughout Amsterdam as they are a perfect way to cap a day of hiking and exploring the cities countless street districts and museums.
Amsterdam offers something for just about everyone. From exciting nightlife and entertainment, to a refined art and culinary scene there is much to do and see in Amsterdam. Tour the city streets, people watch from a café window, and view some of the most inspirational works of art ever created. These are just a few of the things awaiting you in Amsterdam today.