Hotels in Amsterdam » Food http://www.stayinamsterdam.net/blog Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:32:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 'Coffeeshops' have an entirely different meaning in Amsterdam http://www.stayinamsterdam.net/blog/coffeeshops-have-an-entirely-different-meaning-in-amsterdam.html http://www.stayinamsterdam.net/blog/coffeeshops-have-an-entirely-different-meaning-in-amsterdam.html#comments Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:58:25 +0000 admin http://www.stayinamsterdam.net/blog/coffeeshops-have-an-entirely-different-meaning-in-amsterdam/ Compared to other cities of the world, Amsterdam has relatively relaxed policy towards the legal availability of high quality weed and hash. The word ‘Coffeshop’ in Amsterdam has an entirely different meaning for Dutch people as these places though meant for sale of coffee have the primary purpose of selling of cannabis & hash.

All of them are licensed by the Amsterdam city council and subject to numerous regulations. Some laws include that a coffee shop cannot advertise nor can it have a website. To gain entry to a coffeeshop one must be a minimum 18 years old and must produce ID. There can be no exporting / Mail Order outside of the Netherlands. There should be no sale of hard drugs on premises (Cocaine, Etc) and only a maximum sale of 5 grams may be made to each customer.

While visiting a coffeeshop in Amsterdam, just walk up to the counter and ask for a menu which will include a variety of cannabis buds and hash. Rolling papers and filter tips are available as well, usually at the counter. Smoking grass in other bars and places is strictly not allowed and the staff will quickly ask you to put the joint out.

Most shops sell by weight, in others by the bag. A maximum of 5 grams per sale is allowed.

There are over coffeeshops in Amsterdam and to keep them stocked, a lot of plants are required to be grown here but ironically, growing is still totally illegal. So, the places where it’s grown is top secret and the police are always on the look out for growing rooms or plant farms.

]]> http://www.stayinamsterdam.net/blog/coffeeshops-have-an-entirely-different-meaning-in-amsterdam.html/feed 0 Amsterdam – What to try and what to avoid http://www.stayinamsterdam.net/blog/amsterdam-what-to-try-and-what-to-avoid.html http://www.stayinamsterdam.net/blog/amsterdam-what-to-try-and-what-to-avoid.html#comments Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:06:51 +0000 admin http://www.stayinamsterdam.net/blog/?p=69 Do all your shopping before midnight because during weekdays, almost everything closes at 01 AM and you may not be able to find even a bottle of water or a handful of snacks.

It is very difficult to find any rooms in Amsterdam without prior booking and there is hardly any vacancy during weekends. So, be sure to do your bookings in advance.

Avoid smoking in trains and train stations as smoking is prohibited in these areas.

Avoid walking along the bicycle lanes even if the side walks may be sometimes narrow.

Visiting the red light district is although quite safe, but you must avoid taking pictures here and also avoid walking trough Nieuwendijk, the Southern end of Zeedijjk, the streets off and the Damrak at night as these areas are considered unsafe

Though Dutch marijuana is of top quality, you should avoid buying drugs on the streets form dealers that may approach you to sell ecstasy, cocaine and any other illegal drugs.

Beware of pickpockets and take care of your valuables. Keep the money into a money belt, in front of you.

Try a fresh cup of coffee in the morning on Rembrandtplein and enjoy the strong and fresh Dutch beer.

Must visit the Flower Market and buy tulip bulbs to take home.

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