Sunday

Drew Goldberg of Seoul SOUTH KOREA

27Featured Traveller 
 Drew Goldberg
English Teacher
Seoul, SOUTH KOREA


"Life is short and the world is large"

This is a story of a young man who travel a lot and got two things in mind when travelling - food and nightlife

Binsky, as he is fondly called, has travelled to every country in Western/Central Europe, USA, Mexico,Canada, Bahamas, Haiti, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Israel, UAE, Japan and South Korea. In spite of the 40 countries he has visited, he plans to take trips from January to February 2014 to South America and at least ten different Southeastern Asian countries. 

Flag of South Korea
"My life is a constant adventure.  I am very optimistic, love to make new friends and enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone. 

My friends that I met around the world inspire and motivate me to travel. They are always recommending a new place to explore. And I do love visiting them in their home countries", he says.



Drew is currently living in South Korea. He spend most of his time teaching the English language.

Flag of the USA
He was raised in Phoenix, Arizona and attended at the University of Wisconsin - Madison where he completed degrees in economics and entrepreneurship. He also studied in Prague, Czech Republic in the spring of 2012. During his stay in the country, he had the opportunity to travel all over Europe. He has learned other languages other than English during his travels. He can communicate in Spanish, Czech and Korean, and willing to learn more as the situation calls for it.

Drew has one very important advice to you when you are travelling. "Always talk to the locals. They know better than any lonely planet or guidebook will tell you. I have made some awesome local friends and had some awesome experiences", he adds.

He will tell you more about his journey all around the world in his own travel blog, The Hungry Partier. Come and visit him before, during and after your travels. It's a blog worth reading!

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I always want to share my travel experiences around the world by providing tips and advices that will be of help to travellers like you, who eat and party in every place you go. Growing up in a Jewish household made me a food lover and going to college at Wisconsin cultured me with drinking and partying.  

Drew in Interlaken SWITZERLAND
If you want to experience the true culture of a city and find the best local cuisines and the hottest nightclubs in town, then Amsterdam is a good place for you to visit. The city is a magical place. Contrary to what we have been hearing about Amsterdam, it is not known only for its fabulous Red Light District and lavish entertainment. Tourists are coming here for many reasons.

Wander around the city and find amazing water canals cutting through the streets, incredible European architecture and some of the most beautiful parks. Amsterdammers are park lovers and they make Amsterdam a peaceful oasis. If you are into museums, check out the Heineken factory, the Van Gogh, Anne Frank House, and the Rijksmuseum (one of the best art museums in the world). Amsterdam is a place where you will just lose all concept of time and fully enjoy everything the city has to offer.

So, I advice you not to visit the Red Light District first, otherwise, you may get the wrong idea about the Dutch and Amsterdam as this is not all they are about! 


Drew in Istanbul TURKEY
Now, let me show you some of the must-see places in Amsterdam. I will give you the very important information so that you will have a long lasting-impression of the city.

Canal Cruise

There is no better way to see Amsterdam than from the canals. Amsterdam is known to have beautiful canals that cut through the city. By taking a canal tour, you will get great perspective of the city from the water. Headsets are available to listen to the information as you go along.
The fee ranges from 10-15 Euro for a 90-minute tour. For information on schedule, tickets, location and other details, you may check the tour cruise operator website for updates.

Floating Flower Market / Bloemenmarkt

The Bloemenmarkt was founded in 1862 and still does exist as the only floating flower market in the world. The best part is that all the flower stalls are standing on floating boat houses.  It is incredibly unique and beautiful, and the flowers are blooming in all seasons.  There are also many cheese shops in the area with some of Amsterdam's best tasting cheese.  

It is a very touristy area but worth the trip if you want to buy, see, or smell some fresh flowers. Visit the market everyday of the week from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. Click here to help you find more information and details of the floating flower market.

Drew in Handstand - Stockholm SWEDEN
Albert Cuyp Market

One of the famous street markets in Amsterdam is the Albert Cuyp Market where vendors sell all sort of things like fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat, flowers and a variety of dry goods. This market is the busiest in the Netherlands and considered the largest daytime market in Europe. It is also a great place to buy the famous Dutch Stroopwafels, a delicious chewy cookie made from two thin layers of batter with a sticky syrup filling.  Stroopwafels are freshly prepared by street vendors and are best to eat with a cup of coffee or tea.

The Albert Cuyp Market is a perfect place to enjoy your day, soak up Dutch culture and people watch for a number of hours. Taking public transport is the best way to get to the Albert Cuyp street market but you can also come by car by using one of the six Park and Ride facilities. Come by. Dont miss Holland's largest street market as your visit will not be complete without experiencing its laid back atmosphere.

Vondelpark

Relax in Vondel Park. If there is one thing you ought to know about the Dutch, it would be that they love their parks. At over 120 acres in size, Vondelpark is the best urban park in Amsterdam. Around 10 million people relax, hang out, have a picnic and participate in the outdoor activities in this awesome park every year. It is centrally located near the Leidseplein which makes a great place to stop by to have lunch or take in the beautiful Amsterdam air.

If you like biking, this park has a great bike path that winds throughout all areas. It is also a great place to people watch. Find more interesting information about Vonderpark to know other activities that this famous park can offer.

Coffee Shops

Indulge in a Coffee Shop. A visit to Amsterdam is not complete without trying their local coffee shops (marijuana shops). 

Smoking marijuana in Amsterdam is fully legal provided smokers are over 18 years old.  Each coffee shop differs in atmosphere and ambiance, so you can absolutely find one that suits your style. When you enter, you will sit down and be handed a menu of all types of mary-jane. You can also buy pre-rolled joints or buy some papers to roll it yourself.

Remember that although soft drugs is allowed, Amsterdam has its Drug Laws that you need to observe.

Keep in mind that the coffee shops can be a big tourist draw where travellers from all over the world come to sample the local herbs,  so I would advice you to find a small, localized shop for a better experience. 

Enjoy yourself! Amsterdam is the only place in the world of its kind. Read my list on the Best Coffee Shops in Amsterdam.

Museums

Amsterdam is home to many of the world's most famous museums. If you are into it, visit some of the best, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum and Anne Frank House. Are you looking for something different in a museum? Then, you should explore some of the most unusual museums that can be found in some stunning locations.

Here are the famous museums that showcase treasures in and around Amsterdam:

Anne Frank House

Ann Frank is a very famous victim of the Holocaust and best known for documenting her experiences in a diary during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.  Today, the museum in her name tells her story. 

Anne Frank House is located on the Pinsengracht canal, the exact location where she hid during the Nazi persecution.  Even if you've read her diary and seen the movie, there's nothing like actually seeing the original pictures that she posted on her walls.  

I would advice you to buy your tickets online ahead of time so that you can skip a queue that can be hours long most of the time. You may check Anne Frank House website for detailed information.


You will be amazed at this museum due to its largest collection of Van Gogh's art like paintings, drawings and letters. Over 1.6 million of people pass this museum every year making it one of the most popular museums in the world. 

Van Gogh Museum is located in Museum Square very close to the Stedelijk Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Concertgebouw. Purchase your tickets online to avoid a long queue. More information is provided in the museum's website.

I spent more than three hours in this museum with my jaw-dropped to the ground in amazement the entire time. The atmosphere inside is what makes it so memorable - live music, wine bar and awesome people.

Heineken Experience

This is a must-see museum which is the brewery location of the famous beer, Heineken. You will learn its history and the process of how Heineken beer is being made. There will be lots of fun and interactive activities going on and the best part is you get to try some fresh beer samples. Included in the price of your ticket are two free beers or even more as the bar is always crowded that the beer does not stop flowing. They don't mind, as long as you enjoy your Heineken Experience. This museum lives up to this name as it is truly way beyond a wonderful experience. Visit Heineken Experience if you want more. You should be 18 years of age, otherwise, you will not get through it.

Rijksmuseum

Visit Rijksmuseum, the Dutch national museum. It is dedicated to the arts and history of Amsterdam and the Netherlands as a whole. 

The Rijksmuseum has an impressive collection of paintings and artefacts from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Recently, the museum had its facelift to make it looks modern and beautiful. It is worth checking. Spend few hours in this museum and learn the history of the Netherlands.


The Local Food



Stroopwafels of the Netherlands: Photo Credit Wombat85
Dutch people love their thick and crispy patats.  They are usually served with a heavy amount of mayonnaise, or with a combination of unique toppings and dipping sauces.  Many street vendors have a huge array of dipping sauces to choose from, the most popular being curry ketchup and mayonnaise.   This side dish can be purchased at snack bars all over Amsterdam, from street vendors and also at the famous FEBO.  FEBO is a chain of Dutch walk-up fast food restaurants.  You literally put in a coin (like a vending machine), and your food will come down.   Try it for yourself!

See more of Dutch Foods that you can find only in the Netherlands!

Red Light District

I know everyone heard about the ever-so-famous red light district in Amsterdam.  Whatever your thoughts and opinions about this wild side of the city, it is absolutely worth your time to see it with your own eyes. It is the only place in the world with this kind of excitement. 


So, just a piece of advice to the newbies, the red light district is an area where all the prostitutes, sex-shops, brothels, strip clubs and adult theatres are located. 


Prostitution is 100% legal in the Netherlands. The red light district is just like any other part of Amsterdam during the day, with beautiful buildings and canals. At night time, the red lights turn on and all the activities begin. There is nothing more to say. See it with your own eyes and get a good laugh out of it. All the nuts and bolts about the Red Light District can be viewed here. 


So, let's go and have some fun. Come with me and let's paint the town red. Red Light District deserves a visit, that is, if you know how to behave!
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From the desk of: 
Freddie Miranda
A blogger and a Canada-based freelance writer. He shares the value of his travel experiences and discoveries with his friends and fellow travellers. Share your passion, join and visit him. Send him a message if you will @ fromatravellersdesk(at)gmail.(dot)com.

Are you a traveller who would like to share your travel story with our blog and our readers?  Then, I'd love to hear from you! 
Please email me at fromatravellersdesk@gmail.com

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