Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • Interview: Lewis Thompson, VP Sport
    • En Garde!
    • BUWRU Still on Top
    • Hidden Histories: With The Archaeology Society
    • Beabadoobee Concert Review: Welcome to Beatopia
    • Taylor Swift: Midnights Review – The Stories of 13 Sleepless Nights
    • Claire Concert Review: Claire Cottrill in Concert!
    • Is There Hope For Percy Jackson?
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Flickr
    Seren
    • News & Politics
      1. Local News
      2. UK News
      3. Uni News
      4. World News
      5. Politics
      6. Comment
      7. Business
      Featured

      SABB Election: The Full Result Breakdown

      By Emily ReadMarch 20, 20210
      Recent

      Redevelopment plans and the culture of Bangor

      October 28, 2022

      Immediate closure of Menai Bridge following reports of structural integrity issues

      October 28, 2022

      Racial abuse victim calls for harsher sentencing following nightclub assault

      October 28, 2022
    • Arts & Culture
      1. Books
      2. Games
      3. Film
      4. Music
      5. TV
      6. Creative Corner
      Featured

      Bangor alumni podcast earns Hollywood cameo & BBC features

      By Amelia SmithMarch 7, 20210
      Recent

      Beabadoobee Concert Review: Welcome to Beatopia

      October 29, 2022

      Taylor Swift: Midnights Review – The Stories of 13 Sleepless Nights

      October 29, 2022

      Claire Concert Review: Claire Cottrill in Concert!

      October 29, 2022
    • Lifestyle
      1. Fashion
      2. Food and Drink
      3. Social
      4. Health and Beauty
      5. Travel
      Featured

      Country Highlight: The Netherlands

      By Emily ShoultsMay 6, 20220
      Recent

      Gilmore Garms

      October 28, 2022

      Fleeces and Funk

      October 28, 2022

      Cheerleading: Getting your kit together

      October 28, 2022
    • Discovery
      1. Science
      2. Environment
      3. History
      4. International
      Featured

      Brewing up a Storm: The History of Guinness

      By Emily ReadMarch 20, 20210
      Recent

      North Wales Ramblings

      October 28, 2022

      Hamza Yassin: The Hard Work That Is Making Luck Happen

      October 28, 2022

      Student’s Union Hosts Repair Cafe for Sustainability Awareness Week

      October 28, 2022
    • Sport
      1. Varsity 2019
      2. Varsity 2018
      3. Varsity 2017
      4. Varsity 2016
      5. Varsity 2015
      6. Varsity 2014
      7. Varsity 2013
        • Varsity 2013 Results
        • Varsity 2013 – In tweets
      Featured

      Bangor Muddogs’ American Football: a young woman finding her place

      By Jade HillMarch 23, 20210
      Recent

      Interview: Lewis Thompson, VP Sport

      October 29, 2022

      En Garde!

      October 29, 2022

      BUWRU Still on Top

      October 29, 2022
    • Students’ Union
      1. Union News
      2. Societies
      3. Volunteering
      4. Clubs
      Featured

      INTERVIEW: Be Period Positive

      By Caroline CartmillMarch 17, 20210
      Recent

      Interview: Lewis Thompson, VP Sport

      October 29, 2022

      En Garde!

      October 29, 2022

      BUWRU Still on Top

      October 29, 2022
    • Issues
      • Current Issue
      • This year’s issues
      • Last year’s issues
      • Seren Archive
      • Seren Teams
    Seren
    Home»Lifestyle»Travel»An Uplifting City: Amsterdam
    Travel

    An Uplifting City: Amsterdam

    Matty RowlandBy Matty RowlandMay 20, 2017No Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Amsterdam Canal Ring
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Everyone knows someone who’s been to Amsterdam, if they’ve not been themselves. It’s one of the most popular city break destinations in Europe and has the whole ‘drugs, sex and booze’ reputation down to a tee. Though this might be the perfect combination for some, there’s a whole other side of Amsterdam hidden beneath this stereotype.

    It was around the time of mid-terms when my friend and I booked our trip. With the pressures of second year swooping in on us, it only took the Black Friday sales and a couple of hours before everything was sorted. After January exams we flew from Manchester to Amsterdam, a quick and comfortable fifty minute flight.

    Cyclists in Amsterdam

    Our first reaction? It was exactly like everybody had said. Schiphol was hectic and Central Station wasn’t much different. “It is 5pm on a Monday, though” we rationed, but two days into our five day trip we realised, it was always like that. Amsterdam is a very fast-paced city, as most would expect, but it still gives a completely different impression than other capitals, such as London. Instead of buses there are trams, everywhere. I found this surprisingly useful; if you don’t mind being on tram watch 24/7 to make sure you don’t get clipped. We’d been warned about the trams, as most people are, what everyone lacks to mention, though, are the cyclists! It seems as though everyone in Amsterdam owns a bicycle, and in my opinion they pose more risk than any tram! Nevertheless, there is a certain beauty to it, everyone in the streets seem to be in harmony, gliding past each other in one way or another, politely dodging unfamiliar tourists. The people of Amsterdam were extremely friendly and welcoming, which caught me slightly off guard, since tourists are known to be a bit of a pest in such popular areas.

    The Anne Frank house is definitely a must see that will have a lasting impact on you and the way you view life, but there are many other aspects of Dutch history that aren’t given enough credit. There’s a museum devoted to the history of prostitution and set in the heart of the Red Light District; it reveals the shocking difficulties of the prostitution industry, which are often shied away from discussion. ‘Visit Our Lord in the Attic’ demonstrates the religious difficulties of their history as this once secret church – hidden in, yes, an attic – is now an educational museum. This combined with the sex museum, Ripley’s experience, and countless other museums reveals a side of Amsterdam that many people don’t know.

    Of course, the social side is brilliant as well, Amsterdam ice bar, countless pubs and events, it really does have it all. With romantic canal cruises and the city dressed in fairy lights from arrival at Central Station to the hole in the wall café’s in even in the most remote squares, I’d say Amsterdam is a truly uplifting city.

    By Hayley Palmer

    amsterdam city city break cyclists Europe travel
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Matty Rowland
    • Twitter

    Travel Editor 2016/17

    Related Posts

    Country Highlight: The Netherlands

    May 6, 2022

    A perfect escape: Amalfi Coast

    April 15, 2021

    Eurovision: the glue that may just hold Europe together?

    March 11, 2021

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    MORE INFORMATION
    • ABOUT
    • ADVERTISE
    • CONTACT US
    • GET INVOLVED
    • MEMBERS
    Links
    • Bangor University Bangor University
    • Google+ Google+
    • Undeb Bangor Undeb Bangor
    About

    Seren is Bangor University Students’ Union’s English Language Newspaper

    We have editorial independence from both Bangor University and Bangor Students’ Union. Seren is written by students for students and we’d love you to get involved!

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.