Amsterdam: Articles

Apr

30

Amsterdam Queen’s Day: A Party for Your Bucket List

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What country has a national holiday for a massive birthday party? The Netherlands! That day is today, 30th April, Queen’s Day or Konninginnedag. One of my favorite days in Amsterdam!

Koninginnedag dates back to 1885…first on 31 August for Queen Wilhelmina’s birthday, it then moved to it’s current date in honor of her daughter Juliana’s birthday who became queen in 1949. Current Queen Beatrix, Juliana’s daughter, decided to keep the 30 April date to honor her mom.

The Dutch truly know how to party and this day is the best example! It’s literally a giant country-wide party like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Friends who came to visit or newcomers to Amsterdam could not believe the craziness and fun. We were always in Amsterdam for it and the fun starts the night before, Koninginnenacht, with parties about town.

The next morning if you awake early, and it is worth it, vrijmarkt is in full swing, the free market…people selling their wares on the streets of the city. It’s a giant city (and country) wide yard sale…the one day it’s allowed, no taxes required. You may see the few days before people taping off key areas around town with their name so they have a prime selling spot. There are lots of fun kid activities going on, especially in Vondelpark. You’ll also find many kids trying to make their own money. My favorite was the year two cute girls were selling compliments for 20 cents each!

Orange is everywhere on Queen’s Day, the color of the Dutch Royal Family. By noon the partying is getting underway…djs start spinning and the canals start filling. Within a few hours it is absolute gridlock on the canals as boats of all sizes try fit one by one underneath the bridges. Most of the boats are giant party barges with bars, djs, the loudest speakers you’ve ever heard. People are hopping from boat to boat and at times you can even cross the canals by walking across the traffic jam of boats. :) We never took our boat out or got on one. It was just fun to watch from the sidewalks and streets. All over town the neighborhoods, bars and cafes are throwing parties. Everywhere you turn is a beer stand and a dj.

By evening the chaos winds down, the streets are filled with remnants of the day and a good time was had by most. Rain or shine the Dutch are out for this national celebration and it’s definitely one for your Bucket List.

Fijne Koninginnedag!

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Feb

09

I ♥ Amsterdam

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I really do love Amsterdam. We had the great pleasure of living in this wonderful city (feels more like a town or village) for four years. Amsterdam was never on my list of places to go but when I made my first visit, I fell in love.

It was a gorgeous sunny day in May…locals were out in the sunshine, enjoying the cafes, boating on the canals. The Dutch are often called sunflowers as they soak up every bit of sun when it comes out … the weather is similar to Seattle which tells you why. They know how to party and enjoy life…and that day in May 2005 I was hooked.

I could write extensively about all the wonderful reasons to visit …

  • Boating on the Canals: Amsterdam has 160 canals and 1,000 bridges! This was one of my favorite things about Amsterdam…spending a sunny day on a boat. We had a great little sloep, that’s what they call the little boats, to enjoy the canals in the great weather. You can rent a boat, like ours or the gorgeous salon boats, or take one of the tourist boats (I always took friends on the sunset wine cruise from Blue Boat Company). Though touristic I highly recommend a tourist cruise at least once for the information and seeing Amsterdam from the water is a MUST!
  • Riding your Bike everywhere: This is THE mode of transportation. We biked everywhere…no need for a car. Bikes rule the roads (above pedestrians and cars) and have their own lanes. Watch out if you’re on foot. We always rented from MacBike for friends.
  • Museums & Music: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Anne Frank House, Rembrandt, Concertgebouw…the list goes on.
  • Restaurants: The food in Amsterdam is fabulous! From Dutch treats like croquettes, frites, pannekoeken and stroopwafel to incredible Thai (Krua Thai) and Indonesian food (Tempo Doelo).
  • The People: Everyone is extremely friendly and almost all speak English. I also appreciate the directness of the Dutch. :) We made several dear Dutch friends while living there.
  • The Lifestyle: The Netherlands was recently named third-best country in the world to live for work-life balance…enough said!
  • Parties and Celebrations: The Dutch truly know how to party and the best examples of that are Queen’s Day every 30 April (a national holiday to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday, literally a country wide party with the biggest celebration in Amsterdam…I’ve truly never seen ANYTHING like it and it’s a blast!), Sinterklaas’ arrival in November and New Year’s Eve (fireworks are legal for 24 hours and you’ve NEVER seen the sky light up on a New Year’s Eve like it does in Amsterdam…everyone puts on firework spectaculars).
  • Great access: You can be in London via an hour flight or Paris in three hours via train. Most major European cities are within a few hours by plane or train.

That’s a summary and attached is the detailed list (Amsterdam Must GOs from Grape Occasions) we always give to friends going to visit. I amsterdam is the official visitors site for more great info.

If you’re visiting soon you may even get to ice skate on the canals.

No matter what time of year, proost to Amsterdam!

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Nov

13

Sinterklaas Arrives in Amsterdam today!

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This was always one of our favorite mornings of the year when we lived in Amsterdam…the second Sunday in November, Sinterklaas arrives via steamship from Spain!! People gather on bridges, streets and boats to celebrate his annual arrival!

sinterklaas-on-the-amstel1

boats and bridges

In the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas’ Eve (December 5, he also shares my birthday!) is THE holiday tradition and time of gift-giving. It celebrates Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children and sailors. Sinterklaas wears a long red cape, white bishop’s dress and hat, holds a long gold staff and carries a big book that tells whether each child has been nice or naughty this year. He is said to be very rich, lives in a castle in Spain, and likes to give presents on his birthday rather than receive them.

steamship-fr-spainSinterklaas’ helpers are “Zwarte Piet” (or Black Pete) and come from Saint Nicholas’ past. (A VERY suprising sight when you see them the first year but once you know the story you get it!) The story says 3 small Moorish boys were sentenced to death for a crime they did not commit. The bishop intervened and they were saved. To show their gratitude, the boys stayed with Sinterklaas to help him on rooftops on Sinterklaas night to deliver presents. Their black skin being from their Moorish background.

Traditionally, in the weeks between Sinterklaas’ arrival and December 5, before children go to bed they put their shoes next to the fireplace or door with a carrot or some hay for his white horse, Amerigo. The next day they will find some candy or a small present in their shoes from a Zwarte Piet or Sinterklaas himself if they’ve been good. If they’ve been naughty the story says Sinterklaas and his Black Petes carry willow branches in their sack to spank them. Or worst case is they’re put in the sack and taken back to Spain for the rest of year (take me!).

sint-amerigo

Today’s celebration, in addition to his arrival via ship from Spain, welcomes Sinterklaas to town with a parade… he rides Amerigo through town and his Zwarte Piet throw candy and small, round, ginger bread-like cookies, called pepernoten or kruidnoten, into the crowd from their big sacks (YUM!).

Sinterklaas is even the basis for the North American Santa Claus. It is often claimed that during the American War of Independence the inhabitants of New York City, a former Dutch colonial town known then as New Amsterdam, reinvented their Sinterklaas tradition, as Saint Nicholas was a symbol of the city’s non-English past.

Presents, cookies, candy and even a possible trip to Spain… what’s not to love! Check it out if you’re ever in Amsterdam mid-November!

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Mar

13

The Place for Italian Wines

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Vinitalia!  This is about my favorite wine shop in Amsterdam and just turned me on to some great new Italians!

Vinitalia is a great little shop in the center of Amsterdam owned and run by Andrea. They have an exclusive collection from vineyards of Italy and their knowledge comes from years of personal experience from Andrea’s family winery in Piemonte called Goggiano & Co.

Two weeks ago I went for a wine night with my 3 best girlfriends in Amsterdam Natalie, Marijn & Jackie and boy does Andrea do a fabulous job!! In addition to hosting an amazing evening of antipasto perfectly paired with the selected wines, we tried these 4 new fantastic Italians!

We started with Monte Rossa Priva Cuvee Brut from Franciacorta. This sparkling wine is made of 85% Chardonnay & Pinot Bianco, 15% Pinot Nero which makes it very interesting. A floral and musty bouquet and full body taste from the oak aging vs the typical light Italian Prosecco. We paired it with wild boar salami, raspberries and a delicious cherry cookie.  Monte Rossa’s flavor changed with each… the raspberry pairing was my favorite. I gave this one 3 out of 4 stars.

Our 2nd white was Scaia Bianca 2007 from Tenuta Sant’Antonio.

This complex wine smells like a sweet Muscadet but tastes fresh and soft.  As Andrea says “the better the wine, the more complex.” Its made of Garganega 50%, Trebbiano Soave 30% and Chardonnay 20%. The Chardonnay grape is dried before added which gives it an added level of complexity. Wild boar sausage and mozzarella were great pairings and the grilled veggies made the wine even brighter.  4 out of 4 stars for me.

Our first red was Piasi 2006 from Andrea’s family vineyard in northern Italy, Goggiano. Its made from Barbera d’Asti grapes and aged in oak barrels.  Due to its long cellar life, strict selection process and excellent vintage, this wine can boast the title “Superiore.”  The bouquet was one of berries and vanilla with a cherry fruity taste. 3 out of 4 stars.

Last but certainly not least was Harmonium 2006 from Firriato in Sicily.  This 100% Nero d’Avola was a favorite of my friends. Andrea commented with his sip “wine is liquid music!” It has a deep dark ruby color with red fruit bouquet and black cherry caramel taste. 3 out of 4 stars.

Andrea does the wine tastings by appointment in a cute cozy room above his store. He picks out the wines with you and he’ll give you as much or as little information as you want throughout the evening’s tasting. The price is fantastic… usually about €40-50 per person. The spread is delicious with cheeses, meats, roasted veggies, breads, crackers, desserts.

Its not just a wine tasting, its a fabulous meal and always a fantastic time!

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Nov

15

Sinterklaas arrives in Amsterdam today!

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This is our 4th Christmas season in Amsterdam and by far my favourite tradition is Sinterklaas, who arrived today via steamship from Spain!! People gather on bridges and boats, even in today’s pouring rain, for his arrival!

sinterklaas-on-the-amstel1

boats and bridges

In the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas’ Eve (December 5, he also shares my birthday!) is THE holiday tradition and time of gift-giving. It celebrates Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children and sailors. Sinterklaas wears a long red cape, white bishop’s dress and hat, holds a long gold staff and carries a big book that tells whether each child has been nice or naughty this year. He is said to be very rich, lives in a castle in Spain, and likes to give presents on his birthday rather than receive them.

steamship-fr-spainSinterklaas’ helpers are “Zwarte Piet” (or Black Pete) and come from Saint Nicholas’ past. (A VERY suprising sight when you see them the first year but once you know the story you get it!) The story says 3 small Moorish boys were sentenced to death for a crime they did not commit. The bishop intervened and they were saved. To show their gratitude, the boys stayed with Sinterklaas to help him on rooftops on Sinterklaas night to deliver presents. Their black skin being from their Moorish background.

Traditionally, in the weeks between Sinterklaas’ arrival and December 5, before children go to bed they put their shoes next to the fireplace or door with a carrot or some hay for his white horse, Amerigo. The next day they will find some candy or a small present in their shoes from a Zwarte Piet or Sinterklaas himself if they’ve been good. If they’ve been naughty the story says Sinterklaas and his Black Petes carry willow branches in their sack to spank them. Or worst case is they’re put in the sack and taken back to Spain for the rest of year (take me!).

sint-amerigo

Today’s celebration, in addition to his arrival via ship from Spain, welcomes Sinterklaas to town with a parade… he rides Amerigo through town and his Zwarte Piet throw candy and small, round, ginger bread-like cookies, called pepernoten or kruidnoten, into the crowd from their big sacks (YUM!).

Sinterklaas is even the basis for the North American Santa Claus! It is often claimed that during the American War of Independence the inhabitants of New York City, a former Dutch colonial town known then as New Amsterdam, reinvented their Sinterklaas tradition, as Saint Nicholas was a symbol of the city’s non-English past.

Presents, cookies, candy and even a possible trip to Spain… what’s not to love! Check it out if you’re ever in Amsterdam mid November!

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