Why Amsterdam is so much more than the stereotypes
Attracting over 18 million tourists a year, Amsterdam has become the hot spot for travellers across the globe. Filled with tree-lined streets, picturesque canals and some of the finest culinary creations and art, the Dutch city has something for everyone – despite the stereotypes. Now, we can't speak about Dam without addressing the elephant in the room. You could be a foodie; an art enthusiast; a world traveller, or simply passing through the city on a connecting flight – but you'll inevitably be asked by friends, family and peers about your smoking habits – or lack of. Yes, it's legal – but it certainly isn't the be-all, end-all. In fact, tourists who have had the pleasure of visiting Amsterdam recently would have noticed the absence of smoke in the air, which is down to a newly enforced rule last month. There's much, much more to the beautiful, culturally enriched city. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Nestled in the Museum Quarter of the city resides Jan Luyken, a newly-renovated property surrounded by depths of culture and an elegant shopping street. Think, the Bond Street of Amsterdam. From rich-coloured walls graced with contemporary art to grande mirrors and fringed lampshades, it's no surprise l immediately fell for Jan Luyken. The moment you step into the hidden gem, you feel the essence of laidback luxury and incredible attention to detail woven throughout. There's not a corner in the hotel that ignores the memo, from the reception area adorned with delicate glassware and vibrant flower to the rooms that boast comfortable beds, stunning Amsterdam views and tons of natural light. Not to mention, Jan Luyken has a host of some of the friendliest staff members happy to assist with any questions or concerns. They were also equipped with recommendations on some of the area's best fine-dining restaurants and world-famous museums and There are also plenty of shared spaces dotted around the ground floor – perfect for winding down after a long day exploring the city. There's a library decked out with an array of books and lifestyle magazines and plenty of space to truly make Amsterdam feel like a home away from home – especially for a solo traveller like myself. Jan Luyken even provides guests with a kitchen, complete with top-of-the-range Smeg appliances and complimentary baked goods, beverages and fresh fruit. The garden terrace adds an extra special spin to Jan Luyken, as outdoor space is often considered quite a rarity among hotels. It's located next to an aesthetically pleasing gym that makes working out feel that little bit easier. With a hotel so impressive, it can sometimes be tempting to stay in and around it – but with 48 hours in the city, I had to temporarily leave my newfound home comforts to prove that Amsterdam is much more than the stereotypes. Museums Amsterdam does many things well, museums being one of them. The city is jam-packed with cultural experiences, from fine art to photography and history. Two days certainly won't get you through the array of galleries across the city, but there are two in particular that should not be missed. Moco Museum: Founded in 2016, the independent museum boasts a variety of modern, contemporary, and street art. Here, you will find pieces from Jean-Michel Basquiat, Banksy, Icy & Sot, JR, KAWS, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Yayoi Kusama, THE KID, Andy Warhol, Studio Irma, among many more. The Museum of Prostitution: While Amsterdam's sex industry remains open, there's still an air of mystery surrounding it. At the world's first prostitution museum, you will learn about the Red Lights Secrets through an interactive experience. Without giving too much away, the museum delves into the history of sex work in the city, what a typical room looks like and positive testimonials. It also does not shy away from the darker truths of the industry, such as trafficking and unsolved murder cases. Parks Vondelpark: Considered one of the city's most famous parks, this charming area makes the perfect destination to wind down from walking around the city after a long day. During the summer months, there's a host of activities, bandstands – and it even has its own Picasso sculpture hidden along the path. Food Dinner in the Pulitzer Garden: For the foodies, this al-fresco dining experience is a must. Inspired by modern-Dutch cuisine, it offers a wide range of impressive culinary creations and beautifully crafted cocktails. This gem is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an idyllic view of the tranquil gardens. For more information about Jan Luyken, click here. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-07-04 22:48
Irish government announces RTÉ examination
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Why is Belarus admitting Wagner leader and backing Russia against Ukraine?
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Machine Gun Kelly makes a fan's dream come true by punching him in the face
Machine Gun Kelly received an unusual request from a fan who asked the singer who was performing to punch him in the face. In the clip shared on the 33-year-old's Instagram, Machine Gun Kelly was on stage at the Rock Werchter festival in Belgium on 1 July where he can be seen asking the fan: "Why do you want me to punch you in the face so bad?" Good question - to which the fan simply replied: "I love you!" Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Though Machine Gun Kelly did warn the guy that it could hurt as he told him: "I got rings on dude that s***'s gonna hurt." "I don't know it's a lose/lose for me," he added. "I don't if I'm gonna do it, I'll consider it." The video then cuts to Machine Gun Kelly who left the stage to go interact with the crowd and lifted the sign the fan-made to the camera that reads: "I just came from Mexico 4 u 2 punch me in the face." And with that, he fulfilled the fan's request since he came all the way over from Mexico and Belgium for this - though mindful of his rings, the 'Emo Girl' singer landed a softer punch. "I love you!" Machine Gun Kelly proceeded to scream afterwards. For the post caption, the singer wrote: "making dreams come true." In the comments section, fans appeared to be entertained by the interaction. One person was inspired by a Mean Girls quote and said: “One Time Machine gun kelly punched me in the face… it was AWESOME "Boy might be missing teeth and still be smiling," another person wrote. Someone else added: "Bro bouta file a life changing lawsuit." "It’s the way he was happy as hell," a fourth person commented. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings
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London Rent Now Equivalent to Two-Thirds of a Woman's Salary
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South Africa to Demand Crypto Firms be Licensed by Year-End
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Adele says she will 'kill' anyone who throw objects at her while on stage
Adele has told her fans she would "f*****ing kill" them if they tried to throw an object or something at her while on stage. During one of her Las Vegas residency shows, Adele spoke on the topic, after singers such as Bebe Rexha and Kelsea Ballerini were recently hit by objects fans launched at them from the crowd, with Rexha even having to go to the hospital to get stitches. Meanwhile, Ava Max was slapped on stage by a supposed fan. All of these incidents have caused discussions on social media about concert etiquette. And now the 'Easy On Me' singer hasn't hold back with her thoughts on the issue. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter "Have you noticed how people are, like, forgetting f**king show etiquette at the moment? she asked the audience. "Throwing s**t on stage, have you seen them? I f**king dare you, I dare you throw something at me, I'll f**king kill you," the singer warned. But she then jokingly pretended to be an audience member: “Stop throwing things at the artist but you can shoot things at the audience," referring to the fact she launches t-shirts into the audience with a large t-shirt cannon. (Though the audience appeared to love seeing Adele's t-shirt cannon firing skills). @mikesnedegar One of the best things about seeing Adele live is her chats with the audience. She always makes you laugh. #weekendswithadele #adele #lasvegas Fans of the singer who watched the brief clip found Adele's threat amusing and agreed with her stance. One person said: "I believe Adele would come off stage and smack someone!!!! Wouldn't blame her!!!!" "I love being British because of this womanaudience, she's f***ing hilarious," another person wrote. Someone else added: "Lmao. She said you won’t be doing that sh** here." "'Don't underestimate the things that I will do' lol," a fourth person commented referencing a lyric from Adele's song 'Rolling in the Deep'. Elsewhere, read all about why are fans throwing random objects at pop stars. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
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Factbox-Europe's ongoing strike-related travel disruptions
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The best new TV shows of 2023 (so far), from 'The Last of Us' to 'Beef'
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Astros: 5 players who won't be on the roster by August 1
The Astros are at risk to not win the AL West this year. They're going to need to part ways with these players if they want to take it from the Rangers.The Houston Astros have seen a bit of a regression from their 2022 World Series team to their second place in the AL West 2023 team. The As...
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