| Aching for Amsterdam
Well it's that time of year again. Fall signals the end of summer and the impending winter, and people start getting just a little crabbier when there is less daylight. I, on the other hand, am looking for a little hedonistic healing, Holland style.
Lured by the promise of free friend accommodation, Holland was a natural choice for me. And if you think Holland you think Amsterdam, where a certain amount of toleration is the policy when it comes to sex and drugs and handbag house music. Events like the High Times' Cannabis Cup (November 18 to 22nd this year) have been drawing crowds in for years, and the Red Light District, where you can literally window shop for sex, has been featured in many a documentary. Holland is just shy of twice the size of New Jersey with a population close to 16 million – no wonder they always have something going on.
So, when is the best time to go? Where to stay? Eat? Club? It's all online at amsterdamhotspots.nl. A very informative site with a Time Out feel, it has maps and tips on where to find the best smoke cafés, as well as flyers for the latest all-night parties. The best section to check if you're hemming and hawing about when to go is the events listing, which takes you to a calendar of events with a short write-up of what to expect. With Video Festivals, Spoken Word and Dance Music Festivals there's something for everyone, and the info button at the end of the write-up leads you to the specific event's Web page, where you can order tickets or just scan the lineup.
Royale with cheese, here I come! |
