When I was in Rome European Union the euro did not exist. Between noon and one, the smell of pasta filled the streets. The city seemed as it stopped living. At the supermarkets, the cashiers were nowhere to be found, taxis were nearly impossible to get and public transportation were running with elongated intervals. It was time for pina. Pina is a meal when the whole family gets together over salad, pasta, wine and tons of conversation. The topic of conversation could be anything from politics to current events to family matters. The meal proceeds slowly. Everyone is enjoying the food and wine, taking pleasure in relaxing together. This was my initiation into Italian culture from which I took the pleasures of cooking and enjoying good food.
Rome is not only pasta and wine, even though you could find both anywhere. Rome is a mixture of modern and past times, traffic jams and scooters. Scooters which are everywhere accompanied by funny and arrogant scooter drivers. Scooters are the preferred method of transportation for teenagers and we all know the behaviors of teenagers. So do not be surprised if the scooter whistles by on the sidewalk. Rome is also the center of the Catholic Church. It is a city comprised of many churches - basilicas. Each of them offers a unique peak into Italian history and the history of the church. They were intervened for a long time.
Click here of official Rome Turist Website
AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam is a very unique and interesting city. It is a city of many canals, coffee shops where one can sip a cup of tea with a joint, narrow and lengthy houses, Red Light district with its adult entertainment, cities of Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Ann Frank. Amsterdam is also a melting pot where many different cultures coexist together on the surface, but beneath are not intermixable. It is a city where bicyclists and pedestrians politely tolerate each other. Furthermore Amsterdam is soccer, beer and more beer.
Traveling to Amsterdam requires some preparation and research. There are many hotel choices in Amsterdam but many of them are geared towards tourist and are a little pricey. If sleeping on the same sheets for a week or partying until sunrise and meeting strangers appeals to you, then by all means read on. For a budget traveler there are many choices in Amsterdam. Less pricey hotels or hotels outside tourist areas are nice. Think of them as Motel 6 without of luxury of new sheets every day. Many of them include “continental breakfast” of different kind of cheese and salami sandwiches and orange juice. For backpack travelers, hostels are the best choice. Hostels offer the environment of a college dorm in military barracks. At the hostels, partying doesn’t stop until sunrise. Click here for FlyingPig hostel
There are three ways to get around in Amsterdam: public transportation very affordable; bicycles are preferred mode of transportation for the majority of inhabitants; walking - the best way to discover and enjoy Amsterdam. Bicyclists are everywhere independent of weather. There is a designated line for bicyclists but they are either on the crosswalk or the road trying to reach their destination in a hurry. So if you are enthusiastic about cycling, you can rent the bicycle and explore the city. The best way in my opinion to explore Amsterdam is just by walking. Walking offers the opportunity to discover the city on your own leisure pace. Walking gives you the chance to mix with the crowd, feel like one of the citizens going about your daily life. You are inhaling the atmosphere and getting completely absorbed by what Amsterdam truly is.
There are many places to see and things to do in Amsterdam. So try to pace yourself. Start with taking a walking or canal tour to get an overview and get acquainted with the city.
During the tour enjoy three Heinekens or cokes; and if you lucky to get a ticket enjoy the musical experience at the Concertgebouw.
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Rome is the city of contrast as probably any other city. There are tourist areas, very nice areas and not so nice areas. Visiting affluent areas, tourist areas and not so tourist areas is a worth while experience. Overall, people are friendly and if English is not spoken then the language of gestures is. So if you are lost or need to ask anything just use the language of gestures or learn a little Italian. Speaking of getting lost, Rome is a circular city so try not to walk along the circumference, otherwise you will end up at the same place.
Rome is a historic city. From the Coliseum where gladiators fought to the Forum where ancient senators competed in rhetoric, to the ancient public bath and catacombs Rome is a city where history comes alive. There also are a plethora of museums, piazzas, fountains and the Vatican. The one feature of Rome which deserves to be mentioned is the bazaar. Bazaar is the equivalent of a farmers market. There, vendors and shoppers are bargaining for the best deal on both sides. Bazaar is where inhabitants of Rome go to get fresh produce. It has its unique atmosphere of big gatherings where everyone is talking at the same time and everything is understood. So if you are adventurer visit the bazaar for a good cultural yet enjoyable experience. You will buy good food and have the opportunity to learn true Italian at its finest.
Warning: If your religious beliefs or personal convictions are against legalized drugs and adult entertainment then by all costs avoid the Red Light District in Amsterdam.
Then stop for lunch. I recommend falafel with a coke from a vendor. Healthy and delicious. Afterwards visit one of the many museums. There is the Rembrandt House where the famous painter lived and created exquisite artwork until his bankruptcy. The Van Gogh Museum does not require any explanation.
The Marinetime Museum explores the history of marine commerce and Navy. The Steedelijk Museum - offers collections and exposition of modern art The Torture Museum display the instruments used to torture individuals from ancient to modern times. It is necessary to visit Ann Frank’s House. Word of advice, be there before it opens to avoid the long wait. You truly will get the best, yet emotional experience.
Then it is time for dinner and if not go to any outdoor bakery get a cup of coffee or tea with a piece of cake, sit down and enjoy. In the evening, visit one of many dance or jazz clubs or relax in one of the bars. As a diversion from culture, visit Red Light District the center of adult entertainment ( see warning at the beginning) or enjoy a smoke in one of the coffee shops if applicable. For a good laugh make reservations to see Boom Chicago- very good comedy. I also recommend the Royal Palace on the Dam -do not let the exterior scare you; Visit the Heineken Brewery.
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