Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Info for trips outside of Italy-:Amsterda, Netherlands - Part 2 for Travelers and Visitors

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 5 DECEMBER 2015)

Here are some links for trips outside of Italy - Amsterdam, Netherlands  - Part 2: Travelers and Visitors. This blog entry is a continuation from Part 1:
PERSONAL COMMENT ABOUT THIS BLOG ENTRY
I am an individual who has Parkinson's Disease, I use a walker and a wheel chair to get around. I will be traveling to Amsterdam in December, 2015 with my wife, Martha AKA Missy.  For the trip to Amsterdam, I will have my wheel chair and a mobility scooter that I will be renting while I am in this city. 

I will be updating this blog entry regularly with the information that I found on the web and with personal comments / observations about some of the web sites mentioned below and on my own experiences that I find as I explore this city.  These  personal comments will be identified as "PC" and will be marked in "red".

I challenge the readers of this blog entry to make it better by adding their comments as a handicapped / disabled individual about their respective visits to Amsterdam or on their living experiences about this city. I wish to thank all those individuals in advance for your assistance, comments and cooperation  in this matter.

************ END OF PERSONAL COMMENT ********

INFORMATION: AMSTERDAM
BLOGS / BLOG ENTRIES
EVENTS IN AMSTERDAM
FOODS / WHAT'S TO EAT IN AMSTERDAM
  • AMSTERDAM FOOD TRUCKS
  • FEBO
  • FOODS
    • T22 Things Everyone Needs To Eat In Amsterdam – "In case you get the munchies." – posted on Jan. 15, 2015, at 12:28 p.m. – Maggy van Eijk, BuzzFeed Staff, UK – "About"   – Source: BuzzFeed [UK Edition]– "News | Buzz | Life | Quizzes | Videos | More "
    • Amsterdam Local Food and Travel Guide – "" – "About" – Source:  EAT YOUR WORLD – "guides travelers to the best quintessential eats around the world, in 130+ cities."
      • `Appeltaart – "EYW PICK" – "What: Whoever coined the phrase “as American as apple pie” surely hadn’t been to the Netherlands. Dutch apple pie, appeltaart (or appelgebak), has been a quintessential sweet in the country’s cuisine for centuries, and countless cafes, restaurants, and bakeries in modern-day Amsterdam reflect this. A common accompaniment to koffie (coffee), and often served met slagroom(with whipped cream), appeltaart differs from American apple pie in a number of ways: It’s baked in a spring-form pan, making it instantly deeper; it’s much drier inside, not at all syrupy; it’s really chock-full of big, firm hunks of apple (and often raisins or currants); and it tends to rely on sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, rum or brandy, and other warm spices for flavor. Find a good appeltaart in Amsterdam, and you’ll be hard-pressed to eat anything else for breakfast there, ever."
      • Broodje pom – "What: We love traditional Dutch broodjes (sandwiches)—your kaas (cheese), roast beef, kroketten, eel, ossenworst, etc.—but this Suriname-inspired take is a tastebud-awakening change of pace. Chicken and baked malanga (a tropical, starchy, taro-like root vegetable) are mashed into a typically delicious Dutch bread roll with zuur, a tangy-spicy pickled cabbage-onion relish, and peper, a hot pepper sauce. It’s creamy, it’s meaty, it’s tart and spicy—it’s completely unexpected on the Dutch culinary landscape. In a word: delicious." 
      • Gehaktbal – "EYW PICK" – "What: Ah, the humble Dutch meatball. Or, not so humble, as Dutch gehaktballen (plural) are generally much larger than the more famous meatballs of Sweden, or even those associated with Italian (and Italian-American) cooking. Meatballs are important here: Used to be that every Wednesday was “gehaktdag,” or minced-meat day, an invention by butchers who used to slaughter animals on Monday and discount the leftover (minced) meat by Wednesday. As in other cultures, it was food for the commoners. Nowadays, we’d gladly take this ultimate Dutch comfort food over an overpriced tourist meal any day of the week. What’s not to love about a big fat homemade ball of juicy beef?"
      • Kibbeling, lekkerbek – "What: Both kibbeling and lekkerbek refer to battered, fried white fish, traditionally cod or whiting from the North Sea—the difference is that kibbeling is cut into chunks before serving, while lekkerbek is not. (The batter, it should be noted, tends to be a bit more delicate than that used in the British manner of fish and chips.) Kibbeling is also served with dipping sauces, usually a mayonnaise-based remoulade (like tartar sauce) or a garlic sauce. We prefer the bite-size kibbeling for that reason, and for its convenient portability, reflecting the dish’s slip into “fast food” territory. Still, when it’s hot and fresh, it’s absolutely delicious, and it’s a wonderful alternative at the city’s many haringhuis (herring stands) and vishandels (fish shops) for those who insist they don’t like herring."
      • Kroket – "What: The Netherlands is among that select group of nations with a thing for the breaded, deep-fried, creamy balls we call croquettes (thanks to the French). Of course, not all croquettes are created equal. The Dutch kroket is typically cylindrical in shape, filled with a meat ragout (most commonly using beef, beef broth, flour, butter or margarine, onions, herbs) and epitomizing textural  contrast: very crispy and crunchy on the outside, super soft and smooth inside, with chunks or strands of meat. In Amsterdam, kroketten have long been an economical way of using leftover meat stews and roasts—mixed with gravy, rolled into logs, breaded, and fried—but the snack really took off during WWII, when they became mass-produced as a cheap foodstuff. Since then the kroket has been regarded mostly as a fast-food delicacy, a common item at the vending-machine-style automats around town, where a popular game is wondering what the heck they’re really made of. We say: Don’t overthink it. It’s delicious served the Dutch way, with mustard and (optional) white bread."
      • Local craft beer  – "EYW PICK" – "What: It may be overshadowed by its two famous beer-producing neighbors—Belgium and Germany—but don’t underestimate Dutch brewing: There’s some terrific beer in this country, and Amsterdam is an ideal place to sample some of the best. To clarify, since we’re no longer living in the 19th century, when both of these brewers were small and local, we are not talking about Amstel and Heineken here (see below). We’re talking about the city’s small but strong stable of craft brewers—notably the windmill-situated Brouwerij ’t IJ and the Red Light District’s de Prael, as well as others and a few brewpubs—and excellent beer bars and stores, where easy access is offered to a host of small Dutch brewers just beyond Amsterdam’s borders. Get schooled on Dutch beer and you’ll soon be asking, “Coffee shop who?”
      • Local jenever – "What: Don’t think of it as “Dutch gin”—that’s an all-too-common misconception. Jenever, also spelled genever (pronounced “juh-nay-ver”), did, a century later, spawn the development of English gin as we know it, but it’s a completely unique alcoholic beverage, distilled in a different manner and—despite both spirits being infused with juniper berries—having a different flavor profile (most jenever does not pair well with tonic, for instance). It dates to the 17th century, when a Dutch physician is said to have added juniper to distilled grain spirits for medicinal purposes, calling it genièvre (French for “juniper”; jenever is the Dutch word). Not surprisingly, it wasn’t long before the concoction caught on for non-medicinal use, eventually gaining popularity around Europe and the U.S. until it was overtaken by English-style gin."
      • Modern seasonal Dutch  – "EYW PICK" – "What: Restaurants that combine modern, refined preparations with seasonal (and often locally sourced) Dutch ingredients have, fortunately, caught on in the Netherlands’ capital, adding wonderful variety to the more traditional Dutch eateries and markets we highlight on these pages." 
      • Patat, Vlaamse frites  – "What: Like its neighbor Belgium, the Netherlands has an affinity for fried potato sticks, a.k.a. fries, chips, frites. Here they’re called patat, or Vlaamse frites (“Flemish fries,” referencing their northern Belgium origins). Crunchy and thick-cut, these patat are a very popular street food in Amsterdam, peddled by small storefront counters, street stands, and fast-food-type joints galore. They’re usually served in paper cones, always with a generous dollop of sauce—mayonnaise-y fritessaus is the standard, but others are offered too, including the deadly Dutch combo known as oorlog (“war”), a mix of mayo, peanut satay sauce, and raw onions. The supposed battle in your mouth that ensues? That’s a war we’ll stand behind."
      • Poffertjes – "EYW PICK" – "What: Even better than the large Dutch pannenkoeken are these fluffy mini pancakes, served with a mess of powdered sugar and butter. To make them, batter—typically including yeast and buckwheat flour—is poured over a hot cast-iron pan with shallow half-spherical molds, à la Japan’s takoyaki, and then each little pancake is flipped. You’ll see them in some restaurants, but the best poffertjes are made fresh on the street at markets, during festivals/fairs, and in the city’s squares."
      • Rijsttafel – "What: Dutch for “rice table,” rijsttafel (“ryst-tah-fell”) is a by-product of Dutch colonialism in Indonesia, which, if we count the days of the Dutch East India Company, stretched for more than three centuries, formally concluding in 1949. When the Dutch returned home, they brought with them an undying affection for satay (spicy peanut) sauce; a handful of Indonesian stir-fry standards; and this practice of serving many small Indonesian dishes, revolving around rice, at once to best show off the archipelago’s flavorful cuisine (it’s likely the Dutch were inspired by a similar Sumatran manner of feasting, called nasi padang). Modern-day rijsttafel is the same exact idea: Cram every inch of your table with anywhere from eight to 40 small plates—a variety of meats, vegetables, and condiments, like sambals and pickled dishes—and eat them with steamed white rice. It’s a tradition that is relatively unique to the Netherlands today, where it’s considered nearly as indigenous as stamppot, and it adds some much-appreciated exotic spiciness to Amsterdam’s culinary scene. If you crave a change from those hearty Dutch classics you’ve been filling up on, rijsttafel is your answer. Just show up hungry." 
THINGS TO DO
  • THINGS TO DO . . .
    • 10 best things to do in Amsterdam  – "Amsterdam is popular for its canals, the Red Light District and more recently the new Museum district, while the art scene keeps the city buzzing with a pleasant mix of tourists and locals." – "About" – Source: skyscanner – "Travel smarter with Skyscanner, a leading global travel search site offering an unbiased, comprehensive and free flight search service as well as online comparisons for hotels and car hire."  – "Select: Language | Country | Currency"
    • 10 Things to Do in Amsterdam – "" – , Amsterdam Travel Expert  – About.com -  "Our Story" – Source: Found in the Amsterdam Travel portion of Travel section on About.com
    • 20 things to do in Amsterdam  – "The best museums, restaurants, shops, sights and more" – "About" – Source: TimeOut Amsterdam – "Your ultimate guide to Amsterdam" – "Restaurants and bars, art and museums, clubs and live music, shops and more..." – In Dutch, English
    • All-time Top 10 Things to do in Amsterdam: a critical look – "When in Amsterdam has realised that every website associated with Amsterdam travel has a top list of things to do in this city. Some websites only have Top 5 or 10 lists.When in Amsterdam could provide our own list but honestly there is no Top 10 list. Waking up in Amsterdam the list changes day to day because of mood, weather and the place in question.So we are going to give you the All-time Top 10 list of things to do in Amsterdam (updated January 2015). . ." – blogger: Omy Amsterdam – Source: When In Amsterdam...  – "Things to do in Amsterdam... Guide  | Amsterdam Tours" 
    • Best Things To Do in Amsterdam – "Amsterdam offers a lot more than vice, like the world-class Van Gogh Museum or Rijksmuseum and shopping on Nine Streets. Families might enjoy a visit to the Vondelpark and the science center NEMO, a family bike ride or an introduction to Amsterdam's love of pancakes. But of course the party scene of coffee houses, gay bars, nightclubs and more is not to be missed." – "About" – Source: Found in the Travel Guides portion within the TRAVEL section on U.S. News & World Report – ""
    • Things To Do – "All Amsterdam Activities" – "About Us" – Source: Found in visiitacity Amsterdam on visitacity – "what's your destination? "– "Create Your Own Travel Guide"
    • Things to do: Events    – "About" – Source: melkweg – "stands for pop culture in the most broad of senses." – In Dutch, English
    • X – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
  • THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS
    • Things to do in Amsterdam with kids – "Maybe against all expectations, but Amsterdam is a real family-friendly city. No doubts to visit Amsterdam with kids. There are many in- and outdoor attractions for all ages throughout the city. All over the city, there are a lot of public playgrounds with slides, swings, sandboxes and jungle gyms to challenge our smallest kids." – "About Us" – Source: AmsterdamTourist.info – "The Ultimate Amsterdam Travel Guide made by locals…"
    • The Top 10 Things to do in Amsterdam with kids – "Amsterdam is world famous for its unique assembly of canals and the beautiful canal houses. It’s also an easy city to navigate – by foot, by boat, by train, or by bicycle." – Updated: March, 2015 – Author: Esther van de Paal blogs at: BABYCCINO KIDS  – Source: Found on MY LITTLE NOMADS – "Travel with Kids: Why You Should Do It – And Do It Now."
  • FREE THINGS TO DO. . .
    • 15 things to do for free in Amsterdam – "Here at Hostelworld, we are clued up on what travelers from all over the world spend their money on whilst visiting Amsterdam and contrary to popular belief, it isn’t museums. We know you love the city’s infamous bars and “coffee” shops, let’s not beat around the bush. Why not download our awesome free mobile-app for both Android and iOS to help you book your accommodation and read our useful and informative guide to Amsterdam on how best to spend your hard earned Euros. Don’t fret if you are on a budget as here’s a list of fifteen things to do for free the amazing crew at Hostelworld.com has put together for you in the Dutch capital. Read on to start saving..." – "About Us" – Source: Hostelworld – "is the world’s number one hostel booking website." – "CHOOSE YOUR LANGUAGE"
    • Top 10 free things to do in Amsterdam – "From galleries, boat trips and concerts to the city's famous condom shop, there's plenty of great things to do in Amsterdam that won't cost you a guilder "  – Tuesday 20 May 2014 12.53 BST –  – "About us"  – Source: Found in the travel section on theguardian – "Latest news, sport and comment from the Guardian" – "News | Sport | Comment | Culture |  Business | Money | Life & style | Travel | Environment | Tech | TV | Video | Dating | Offers | Jobs"
    • X – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
  • ITINERARIES
    • Amsterdam itineraries – "An insider's guide to how to spend time in Amsterdam, including day trips for first-timers. By Rodney Bolt, Telegraph Travel's Amsterdam expert" – "" –  Destination expert – "About us" – Source: The Telegraph – "Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Telegraph" 
    • Amsterdam Trip Planner – "Let's plan a trip to Amsterdam" – "Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More."\ – "About Us" – Source: inspirock™ – "Created by us · Customized by you" – "See and do more = Get the most from your vacation with our free trip planner."'
    • Itineraries – "" – "About Holland.com" – Source: HOLLAND.COM – "BOOK WITH THE EXPERTS" – In multiple languages
      • 8 hours layover Amsterdam – "After arrival at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol store your luggage and take the short, 15 minute train ride from the airport to Amsterdam Central Station. To get the most out of your short stay, aboard a canal cruise at Central Station. Most tours last about 1,5 hours. A canal cruise is the perfect way of getting around Amsterdam and seeing Europe's largest historic city center with nearly 7000 monuments from the 15th through the 19th century."
      • 24 hours Amsterdam– "Amsterdam is a charming city, which is best viewed from the water! Start early and cruise the canals on a canal cruise boat and see Europe's largest historic city center with nearly 7000 monuments from the 15th through the 19th century. Hop of the boat at Museum Square and visit the Rijksmuseum with Rembrandt's famous 'Night Watch'. For even more art visit next door neighbor Van Gogh Museum to see the largest Van Gogh collection in the world."
      • 48 hours Amsterdam – "Follow the 24 hours itinerary. Discovering Amsterdam can best be done by bike, so rent a bike and head over to the charming and quaint Jordaan area. Its narrow streets and small houses give the feeling of a village inside a city. Browse through the one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques in the 'Nine Little Streets' area. See if you can drop by the Anne Frank House to learn more about the diary and incredible story of Anne Frank."
      • 72 hours Amsterdam – "Follow the 48 hours itinerary. On your third day in Amsterdam start the day with breakfast at the relaxed and cozy bakery De Bakkerswinkel (Warmoesstraat 69). After breakfast hop on your bike and head over to the East Docklands area and enjoy some of the city's most stunning new architecture. During your bike trip don't miss the Brantasgracht at Java-eiland, the Scheepmanstimmerstraat, the Whale apartment building and the red Python bridge. At KNSM isle make sure to stop by Pol's Potten (KNSM-laan 39), a great place to find inspiring and unique design gifts."
      • Day trip Delft & The Hague by train – "Enjoy the 57min early morning train ride from Amsterdam Central Station to Delft. Hop on bus 40 and get off at the Royal Delft stop for a visit to the last remaining Delftware manufacturer (Rotterdamseweg 196, Delft). Admire the 17th century hand painted Delft earthenware or pick up a modern version by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders. . ."
      • Day trip North Holland by car – "Start your day early to witness the largest flower auction in the world in the town of Aalsmeer (Legmeerdijk 313, Aalsmeer), flowers and plants of every shape and size can be found here. The best time to view the Dutch auction process is from 7.00-9.00am Monday-Friday."
    • Suggested itineraries in Amsterdam – "One day or two days or three days or If you have longer... in Amsterdam" – "About" – Source: Amsterdam.info – "Amsterdam » Tourist information, travel guide" – In multiple languages
    • X – "" – "" – Source: X – ""\
  • NIGHTLIFE / EVENING ACTIVITIES
  • WHAT TO DO . . .
    • What are some things to do while visiting Amsterdam?  – "Me and my wife (we are in our 20ies) are coming to Amsterdam between 6 and 12 of October 2014. I would like to ask you, if there are any good live music pubs, good restaurants, museums and live concerts on these dates we should definitely visit? If it's a little outside of the city, it's good too." – "52 Answers" – "About" – Source: Quora – "The best answer to any question"
    • What to Do and See in Amsterdam – "Sure, everyone knows about the coffee shops -- but what else is fun to do in Amsterdam? Holland’s capital city is a hub for happy cyclists, lazy beers by the canal, and art-lovers. As you start planning what to see, here are ten activities you can’t miss." – "About Us" – Source: Found in the Amsterdam section on GetYourGuide – "Book tickets for top attractions around the world" –  "GetYourGuide gives you: The best selection - More than 27,400 things to do | The lowest prices - We guarantee it! | Fast & easy booking - Book online to lock in your tickets" – In multiple languages
    • X – "" – "" – Source: X – ""
 VIDEOS
  • Amsterdam Videos – "Amsterdam, Netherlands" – "About Us" – Source: Tripfilms – "Travel videos to get you going." – "20,000 videos to inspire your next travel adventure."
  • Source: YouTubeIT – "Language: English | Country: Italy"   
    • Amsterdam  –  "Filled with history and happy-go-lucky, Amsterdam is a delight to explore. This uniquely entertaining city shows us Rembrandts and Van Goghs, more bikes than cars, flirting prostitutes, and pot-filled coffeeshops — all under tall, skinny facades leaning out below quaint church towers. At http://www.ricksteves.com, you'll find money-saving travel tips, small-group tours, guidebooks, TV shows, radio programs, podcasts, and more on this destination." – Published on Jun 1, 2015 – by Rick Steves Europe
    • Amsterdam 2015 – "My brothers European trip continues in Amsterdam. The video includes..." – Recorded April 29, 2015 - May 2, 2016 – Published on May 26, 2015 –  by Hoosier Tim's Travel Videos
    • Amsterdam 2015, 50 travel points, things to see in Amsterdam –  "Where to go in Amsterdam?, Netherlands travel guide from Amsterdam schiphol airport arrivals. Information of map, history, museums, palace ,parks, theatre, metro, hotels, architecture, port, gallery, bus, zoo...., things to see in Amsterdam, do your points." – Published on Nov 30, 2014, Amsterdam 2015, –by TB
    • AMSTERDAM SHOPPING- 4 Girls on the Loose! –  "Follow Hannah, Steph Z., Emilie & Rosanne as they shop until they drop through the chic & hip 9 Streets and Utrechtsestraat neighborhoods, which are chocked full of vintage, funky & upscale clothing & furniture shops, boutiques and restaurants. Best kept secret: Young Designers United where young design students sell their latest creations at affordable prices. Don't miss it! And please subscribe for more weekly videos." – Published on Mar 17, 2014 – by Amsterdam Calling
    • The ultimate Amsterdam travel guide for 2015 –  "The best travel guide on Amsterdam on youtube!" – "Filmed, edited and produced by biskeybee for Original crunch productions" – Published on Jun 29, 2015 – biskeybee
    • Welcome To Amsterdam –  "Everything you need to know when you have your dream holiday and visit the capital of the Netherlands. Get shown around in Amsterdam and get informed about trips, shopping, restaurants, hotels, museums, nightlife and a lot more ideas on what to visit in the City of Canals. Everyone should visit Amsterdam on their vacation in Europe." – Published on Oct 24, 2014 – by CityFilmTV
    • X –  "" – "" – Source: X – ""
MISCELLANEOUS
* = Blog entry has been updated.

 For your specific interest, please search the web for further information using Google.

The above links as of this date are/were current. If anyone has any suggestions for any other additional web sites and/or links for reference, please feel free to post your comment and I'll update this blog entry.

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Broken links: Since November, 2005, I have written over 500+ blog entries with 1,000's of corresponding links/URLs for Moving2Italy2, covering a varied and wide range of topics. In the event if you come across a broken link or a non-functioning link/URL, please post a comment and report the non-functional link. I wish to thank you in advance for assisting me in the ongoing maintenance and the updating of this successful and informative blog.

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That's it for Wednesday, 16 September 2015: mercoledi, 16 settembre 2015

Ciao, Ben

Moving2Italy2 – #1 source of links About, For or On Italy for those individuals moving, traveling or already living in Italy.

Today’s quote is an Italian proverb / saying, author unknown.

"E bene aver degli amici per tutto."
"It is good to have friends everywhere."

When you have a free moment or two, please read my wife's interesting and entertaining blog about our life in Italy with photographs: Friends and Family in Italy

Going to Spain, read my new blog: Info About, For or On Spain – a source of links About, For or On Spain for those individuals traveling or already living in Spain.

Please note: The time listed below for this posting is Central European Time (CET)/ GMT+1.

(LAST EDITED/UPDATED: 5 DECEMBER 2015)

© Benjamin H. Licodo, 2005 - 2015, All Rights Reserved.

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Location: 52048 Montagnano AR, Italy

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