Travel Writer, Lauren Penzer, previews her upcoming trip to Amsterdam this autumn, outlining the city’s intriguing cultural and historical aspects
Since I began my student-budget adventures, I have always wanted to visit Amsterdam. So many aspects of the city’s culture and history have appealed to me, and I have finally managed to find a gap between studies to go. Early November seems a chilly time to be visiting – not exactly the sunny, beachfront holiday – but there are many exciting sites to see that will keep me, for the most part, indoors.
For one, I have wished for years to visit the Anne Frank House. I have always wanted to expand my knowledge on Jewish history, and will be visiting multiple museums to better my education on the Holocaust. Amsterdam is rich with these sites, both of education and of memorial, which I intend to immerse myself in.
Similarly, I have been looking into art exhibitions and fairs to visit. I am a collector of landscapes, both depicting and sourced from the different places I visit. I am hoping to add to my collection at markets such as Art Amsterdam Spui and the Museum Market in Museumplein. There are also many trinket and antique stores in the nooks and crannies near the canals.
One experience I am very much looking forward to is the biscuit shop van Wonderen Stroopwafels. I am excited to try some delicious Dutch snacks, especially from the place where they originated. Also, rather predictably given my love of books, I will be scouring the city for quirky bookshops and second-hand stores.
Also, rather predictably given my love of books, I will be scouring the city for quirky bookshops and second-hand stores
An adventure I am particularly excited for is my visit to Oudemanhuispoort, a beautiful University and campus in Amsterdam. I have previously loved visiting other campuses, from Edinburgh to Oxford to Marrakech. They have their own daily book market, selling old prints and second-hand books. This site has a lot of history tied to it, so I am eager to escape my beloved University, only to explore another.
Another educational adventure that I’m sure will be eye-opening is a visit to some of the local art museums. I have a research interest in literary and artistic depictions of sex, and the Erotic Art Museum will most definitely demonstrate some of the finest examples within this field. The city has often been dubbed as a site of scandalous and devious activity. I aim to prove, both to others and myself, that the culture around things like drugs and sex is far more accepting and insightful than it is dishonourable.
One of the things I am less pleased about is one of my spoiled plans for my visit to Amsterdam. One of the most esteemed tourist sites, the Van Gogh museum, was high on my list of dream destinations. As I found out recently however, the majority of the artist’s most notable works will not be present at its usual exhibition at the time of my trip. The National Gallery in London announced that they will be hosting a temporary exhibition of Van Gogh’s work from September through to January. While it is definitely a win for the art-lovers of the UK, and most certainly not a dealbreaker for my trip, it is rather ironic that the second I leave England, Van Gogh’s work arrives. However, there are many more exciting – if not random – exhibitions and museums for me to visit. The most bizarre plan that I am looking forward to is the Chess Museum.
There are many more exciting – if not random – exhibitions and museums for me to visit
Overall I am very much looking forward to my trip, for all my adventures, from the random and quirky to the educational and life-changing.
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