Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Unique is in the Normal

Best For:  Culture, Nightlife, Charm, Shopping, English Widely Used

Best Time to Visit:  April through October

Canals at Day

In my early days as a European traveler, I shied away from Amsterdam.  The canals looked beautiful, and I really wanted to see the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank house… but the insecure, high school nerd in me thought that I might not be “cool” enough for this city.  “Everyone will know I’m not coming for the sex and drugs!”  I thought the popular tourists would laugh at me for my interest in the architecture.  Pictures conveying the city’s charm eventually lured me in, and I found a pleasant surprise.  Yes, there is legalized prostitution and soft drug use in Amsterdam, but it blends so seamlessly with the other aspects of the city that you barely notice it’s there.  In fact, the city’s laid back vibe can make the most straight-edged among us feel comfortable enough to take a peek in a coffee shop.  

Culture:  In Amsterdam, the everyday and familiar are celebrated, as bike riders mix with brothels, and citizens stroll by “coffee” shops on their way to work.  Museums such as the Hash Museum, Sexmuseum, Torture Museum, and Tattoo Museum shine an introspective light on what outsiders might consider abnormal.  For the more refined visitor, the Dutch celebrate their famous citizens, paying homage to Van Gogh, Anne Frank, and Rembrandt.  2013 is the ideal time to visit the city and partake in its numerous anniversaries and festivals – the Canal Belt turns 400, the Rijksmuseum (featuring Dutch master painters) reopens after a 10-year reconstruction project, and the Van Gogh museum turns 40, to name a few.

Canals at Night

Nightlife:  The city is perhaps best known for its one-of-a-kind nightlife, which is strongly linked to its tolerant culture.  Take a stroll through the Red Light District, where Dutch families live amongst legalized prostitution.  Herbal enthusiasts will be happy to know that the proposed legislation banning marijuana sales to tourists was struck down at the end of 2012, leaving the city’s coffee shops open to foreigners.  Those interested in partaking in a more “traditional” after dark activity may want to cozy up in one of the city’s many brown cafés, which are named for their tobacco-stained walls.

Charm:  Worldwide, Architectural beauty is often celebrated in grand churches and palaces.  Amsterdam’s glory is best reflected in its domestic buildings.  Visitors will be charmed by leisurely strolls through the Grachtengordel(Canal Belt), where they can appreciate the eclectic gables and houseboats.  The canals especially shine at night, when water sparkles under bridges trimmed with white twinkle lights.

Church in the fall

Shopping:  The Negen Straatjes (Nine Little Streets) is a section of the Canal Belt boasting multiple boutiques, specialty shops, and galleries.  The Albert Cuyp market in the South neighborhood has been called the largest and busiest street market in Europe, and is especially good for people watching. 

English Widely Used:  Amsterdam offers the linguistically shy traveler the opportunity to visit a European city that is more exotic than London or Dublin. Nearly everyone in the city is fluent in English – so much so that you might find yourself questioning your own grammar.

Amsterdam is a small city, and many people can see its highlights in about three to four days.  Here are some suggestions for adding on to your trip:

• Try some of the less frequently visited cities in the Netherlands.  Haarlem, The Hague, and Utrecht are all within an hour’s traveling distance from Amsterdam and have similar attributes, while also enabling visitors to get a more well-rounded Dutch experience.
• If you’re really into the larger cultural powerhouse cities, hop a ferry to London.  Then hop another one to Dublin or take a train up to Edinburgh.  

Costa Rica: Viva la Pura Vida

Best For:  Natural Beauty, Ecotourism, Outdoor Activities, Relaxation, Family Friendly

Best Time to Visit:  December through April 

Waterfall in La Fortuna

I don't really do nature.  I look at it.  I appreciate it.  Then I go to a café, do some window shopping, or hit up a museum, and if the nature is still in my field of vision while I'm enjoying the cultural sites, I'll appreciate it some more.  So, a couple of years ago when my mom and I decided to skip out on Christmas, I was a bit skeptical about heading to the tropics.  But Costa Rica isn't your dime a dozen Caribbean spot.  The nature is so vibrant, the pace so relaxed, and the people so lovely, it even made me slow down and enjoy the pura vida (pure life), as the locals call it.  By the end of my week here I was scoping out spots for a retirement home.    

Natural Beauty:  Containing up to 6% of the worlds’ plants and animal species in an area roughly the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica has been called the most bio-diverse country on earth.  Varying landscapes offer travelers a visual smorgasbord of black sand beaches, lush rainforests, lava-spewing volcanoes, misty cloud forests, and grand waterfalls.  One of the great joys of a trip to Costa Rica is seeing exotic animals in their natural habitat.  It’s not unusual to spot monkeys hanging in trees or sea turtles inching along the beach.  Bird watchers may even get a glimpse of the rare resplendent quetzal.  Some of the most scenic inland parks include Monteverde and Arenal, while Manuel Antonio and Corcovada are coastal treats. 

   

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Ecotourism:  Costa Rica wrote the book on ecotourism.  With over 25% of its land protected by conservation areas and national parks, the country has led the way in wildlife preservation.  Here, conservation goes even beyond land protection – ecotourism is also in the details.  Hotel key cards prevent guests from leaving their lights on unnecessarily, products are made from eco-friendly materials, and trash bins offer multiple recycling options. 

Outdoor Activities:  Costa Rica is an adventure-lover’s playground.  Hikers, bikers, and rafters can take advantage of the countless trails and white water in the rainforests and parks.  Thrill seekers will not want to miss zip lining above forest canopies – Monteverde is best.  Water worshippers can enjoy scuba, swimming, snorkeling, or surfing on either of the country’s two coasts.

Guanacaste Beaches

Relaxation:  After trekking through the rainforest or battling the ocean waves, visitors will need some time to unwind and enjoy the pura vida.  Those visiting volcanic areas, such as Arenal (pictured right), can take a soak in one of the many hot springs, naturally heated by underground volcanic rock.  Sun worshippers can choose from remote beaches, such as those on the Caribbean and South Pacific Coasts, or more developed spots, like the Guanacaste or Manuel Antonio areas.

Family Friendly:  If you feel like you’ve missed out on international travel since starting a family, consider taking your kids to Costa Rica.  Children of all ages will love its attractions and will especially appreciate not being dragged to boring museums.  Many of the parks offer family-oriented activities such as butterfly gardens and hanging bridge tours.  And who doesn’t love the beach?

Alsace, France: Where the Cuckoo Clock Meets the Croissant

Best For:  Culture, Culinary Scene, Charm, Natural Beauty, Off the Beaten Path
Best Time to Visit:  April through October 

Bergheim, France

You know that stereotype about French people being... well... snooty?  Alsatians squash it.  A couple of years ago, my friends and I got stuck on Alsace's Route du Vin (Wine Road), with no bikes, no car, and absolutely no hope of catching the last train back to Switzerland.  Not too concerned about our plight, we walked along the road, high on the amazing wine we had been tasting and the views of the vineyards under the setting sun.  We began to notice an incredible phenomenon.  The Alsatians in nearly every car that passed us honked, smiled, and.... waved.  And not just a casual acknowledging wave... A jolly, hearty, clown-like wave.  We had expected this kind of hospitality from the restaurant and vineyard owners but not from the random people on the side of the road.  The spirit of the Alsatian people remind me of how I would sum up this region: delightful.

Streets of Strasbourg

Culture:  This region maintains strong ties with its German heritage while remaining proudly French in character.  Having changed hands between the two countries several times, Alsace offers travelers a unique blend of cultures.  Castle ruins line the ridges of the Vosges Mountains, evidence of the region's extensive history as an area of geographical importance.  Cultural tourists will also want to visit Strasbourg's stately, gothic Cathedrale Notre Dame and Colmar's world-class museums 
  

Culinary Scene:  Many people visit Alsace solely for its delicious cuisine - and with good reason, as it's home to 27 Michelin star restaurants.  The Route du Vin spans over 100 miles and is dotted with 67 wine villages.  Winemakers happily open the doors of their winstubs (wine cellars) to tourists who come to sample the white varietals grown in the area.  Alsace's bi-cultural history is especially evident in its food, as many traditional French dishes are served with a German twist.  Coq au vin comes with a side of spaetzel, and duck confit is dished up with sauerkraut.  Regional specialties include tarte flambe and Baeckeoffe.  The Route du Vin celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, making 2013 an excellent time to visit and savor Alsace's culinary delights.

Colmar canals

Charm:  Alsace's villes fleuries (flower towns) are bursting with charm.  Characterized by half-timbered houses and flower boxes on every window, these near perfectly-preserved medieval villages will make visitors feel as if they've stumbled into a real-life fairy tale.  Explore the nooks and crannies of the towns' cobblestone streets, or park yourself at a cafe and watch village life pass by.  You'll especially love Riquewihr's old town walls and Kaysersberg's castle views.

Natural Beauty:  Nature enthusiasts will be entranced by Alsace's rolling vineyards, set against the backdrop of the Vosges Mountains.  Vineyard walks and hillside hikes are great ways to get immersed in the scenery.  The Sentier Viticole des Perles du Vignoble is one of the area's most scenic vineyard trails.

Off the Beaten Path:  Alsace is one of France's best-kept secrets.  Though you will find other tourists here, the majority of them will not be American.  Conversations will involve exaggerated hand signals and piecing together bits of the French (or German) that you learned in high school.  Bring a car, a bike, or a good pair of walking shoes - many of the sites you'll want to see in this region are not accessible by train.

Many people can see the highlights of Alsace in about three days.  Here are some suggestions for adding on to your trip:

Vineyards along the Route du Vin

Nearby destinations that are similar to Alsace include Luxembourg and Germany's Romantic Road.  You can get to either destination in under 3 hours.


Want to add a little hustle and bustle to your trip?  Try nearby Paris, which has French culture, cuisine, and charm, but also offers great shopping and nightlife.