If there is one special place in this world that I never get tired of seeing and seeing again, it is Amsterdam. It is the capital of Holland, the largest city in the country and also the most visited. It is fascinating. It’s friendly. It has a personality of its own, a language that is difficult to understand, it is super psychedelic, liberal, erotic, colorful, florid and full of history. But what calls my attention the most, for its peculiarity, are its 165 channels full of boats and its thousand bridges. After all, Amsterdam is 40 centimeters below sea level and is a tremendous engineering work.

AMSTERDAM! O HOTEL DE L’EUROPE ESTÁ DE VOLTA! CAMILA COELHO

Once in Amsterdam, the order is to get on a bike and ride out wherever you want to enjoy the charming cafes, the good restaurants, its more than 50 museums, taste a good beer, snoop the design stores, be enchanted by the architecture, the mills, the tulips, the boat houses, the most alternative neighborhoods and everything that stands out.

AMSTERDAM! O HOTEL DE L’EUROPE ESTÁ DE VOLTA! CAMILA COELHO

Walk through Dam Square, where the name AmsterdamDAM comes from, and watch the coming and going of the crowd. The square is the central point from where everything spreads. Visit some of the many museums. I love the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the exciting Anne Frank Museum. Go to the alternative NDSM Werf, by ferry, a place different from everything. To ensure strong emotions venture into the Over The Edge swing at the top of A’Dam Tower. With children go to the Nemo Science Museum. Even though you might find it a little strange, take a walk around the Red Light District at dusk, prostitution is legalized in the Netherlands, and the neighborhood is part of the local culture. And, be sure to try the organic restaurant Da Kas, inside a greenhouse. Amazing.

AMSTERDAM! O HOTEL DE L’EUROPE ESTÁ DE VOLTA! CAMILA COELHO

Now for a powerful hosting tip. Amsterdam’s most luxurious and traditional hotel, De L’Europe, has reopened its doors after taking advantage of the pandemic’s period of seclusion to receive a major renovation in the common areas, bars and restaurants. Its historic grandeur and elegance are extremely captivating. 17th century art and period furniture were mixed with local handicrafts and modern elements. It is such a cozy, quiet place, away from the buzz of the central region. There, I lived incredible days, within Dutch culture and felt at home. I already want to go back to see the new wing called ‘t Huys, where there is a bookstore, a florist, the Skins Spa and the Italian trattoria Graziela.

AMSTERDAM! O HOTEL DE L’EUROPE ESTÁ DE VOLTA! CAMILA COELHO
AMSTERDAM! O HOTEL DE L’EUROPE ESTÁ DE VOLTA! CAMILA COELHO

Take note of this tip. You will love the experience of living a few days in Amsterdam immersed in the authenticity of the local culture.

XoXo and see you next week.