It’s all fun and games in Amsterdam, the city offers so much attractions and excitement. Most of us stay way longer than expected. Downfall of that is that our traveling funds can run out quickly and as my uncle Les used to say: “When the money is gone, it’s time to move on”, or is it? If you are feeling lucky, maybe one spin of a roulette wheel or couple of Blackjacks will be enough to extend your stay. It’s all in the cards.

The games
Gambling has more than one face. In this paragraph we are going to focus on games of luck. When it comes to these, the city is literally overflowing. Walk out of the Dutchies and you don’t need more than a minute to find the first one-armed bandit. Most of the bars and sometimes even a soul food restaurant will have one or a couple in the corner. The closer we get to the centre of Amsterdam, the more places we find that are proudly naming themselves casinos. Flashy lights and big fonts that are informing you that perhaps you are the one who is going to win. These are hard to miss and pretty obnoxious if you ask me.

To participate in the rich variety of slot machines, blackjack and roulette tables you need to be above 18 years old and have at least 10 euro to your name, as this is the minimal bet in most cases. These places usually don’t have a dress code and most of them are open up until midnight. After entering the casino, it is all between you and the universe. We wish you good luck, as we would like to see more of you in the hostel, but it’s worth realising that the only true winners in this type of gambling are the machine owners.

There are also gambling games based on skill. To those we count Blackjack, Russian poker and the king of them all – poker.

The last one is a game of skill played in a randomised environment of cards. The skill part comes from the fact that you play against other people. It is totally up to you to develop a better strategy, give less information and balance your ranges. The gambling part only comes from the fact that you have no influence over the cards that are going to hit the table and that gives a spark of hope to everybody taking a seat on the felt.

The Casino
Your mind is probably imagining a vividly coloured room, where free drinks are being poured all night, delicious food can be found on some tables and where no clocks can be found. For some a safe haven that is open 24 hours a day, just in Las Vegas. Right?

Well, you can toss that image out of your head. Welcome to the Netherlands. Here there are limits. There are in total 8 locations where you can legally play poker, namely the Holland Casino. One of their locations is at the Leidseplein in Amsterdam. The poker tables are opened each day from 8PM to 3 AM. Which gives us the most befuddling conclusion – one of the few branches of business that can make money 24/7 is being closed every night, just as the action heats up and pots get bigger. Not the smartest idea, but then again – I don’t work for the government.

So, what to wear when going to a casino? Well I can tell you what not to wear. Shorts and sweat pants are for sure a no-go. Better not to ask how I know this… Nevertheless, I really recommend to go and take a look. The inside of the casino is a charm itself. The space is overwhelming. The ceiling is at least 10 meters high and this part actually resembles what you could expect in Vegas quite a bit. In the casino you’ll find a well-equipped bar and a Rembrandt themed high-end restaurant right next to the tables that is constantly buzzing action.

Let’s play !
As an aspiring poker player, you will have a choice of cash games with blinds ranging from 2/2 to 5/10/straddle in two poker types – No limit Hold’em and Pot limit Omaha. On the small stakes tables the atmosphere is always casual. There are a lot of people who just came to have some fun and drink beers. It is not uncommon that other players will offer you a drink. Turns out people that perceivably have won money tend to be very generous.

In that atmosphere, dense with ethanol, free of cigarette smoke and full of friendly banter, time flies. Usually it will last as long as your money or your luck will last. However, you have to remember that with a cash game you can quit at any time.

In that magical place, only some of the workers will remind you that this is a government establishment. Some of them, will look like it is a punishment for them to be there, don’t mind that and try to make their equivalent of jail time as pleasant as possible. A good joke never hurt nobody.

Last but definitely not least, if you are planning on visiting the casino: here is some advice.

1. If you don’t know much about poker, it is much better to be selective with the hands that you play, but then the ones that you decide to play – do it aggressively.
2. Counter intuitively: you need a stronger hand to call than to raise. If someone checks back their cards and quickly says all-in, happily pushing the chips towards the middle pot – just fold.
3. And the most important one, if you cannot afford to lose that money you put on the table, don’t play. Poker shouldn’t be about stress.

Let’s go !
So, whether you are looking to meet some new, exciting people, boost your bankroll to extend your stay in Amsterdam, visit one of the best restaurants with a great view over the canals or observe a real live game of dwarf sized chess pieces – it is a great idea to visit the casino.

Want to visit the Casino? In the lobby of Dutchies we’ll have some great discount-cards. One of those cards gives you free entrance + one drink at the casino. I will always recommend the skill games, for the sake of interacting with others and the winning chances not being skewed against you, but if you are feeling really lucky even a slot machine will do.

In any case, please remember to gamble responsibly.

Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most beautiful and old city. It doesn’t matter what season you visit Amsterdam, there are always things to do.

SPRING

The first flowers peeking through the snow in March were crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths. While we cannot deny their beauty, the popular symbol of the Netherlands is the tulip. They are available in a whole array of colours, and they start to show their beauty in mid-April through to first week of May. This is the time of the year that you can discover fields of flowers looking like seas of colours. We recommend visiting the Keukenhof or take a bike ride through one of the many flower fields around.

SUMMER

We Dutchies love sun. As soon as the sun is shining and it’s above 18 degrees, we leave our jackets home and put on our skirts or dresses. We try to enjoy as many terraces as possible and take in as much sunlight as possible. Because before you know it, the sun is gone. If you have a free day and the weather is warm and sunny, go to the beach.The closest beach to Amsterdam is Zandvoort aan Zee. Take the train from Station Sloterdijk and 30 minutes later you have arrived at the beach. Take a seat on one of the terraces at the beach and order an amazing cocktail, a nice glass of wine or a beer, eat some nachos or bitterballen and enjoy the sun!

AUTUMN

Everybody will fall in love with Amsterdam, when the leaves on the trees turn orange, yellow and gold. Amsterdam turns into a magical city. It’s like you stepped into one of those old romantic movies. Without a doubt some magical moments will be created. Go take a stroll through the Amsterdamse Bos or through one of the many parks. Not fond of walking? Take a seat in one of the cosy cafés, and drink a beer or maybe a red wine.

WINTER

Winter brings us ice-skating and snowball fights. When the temperature drops below 0 degrees Celsius, the canals will freeze. Just imagine all those beautiful canals in Amsterdam, frozen and filled with people. Little shops appear on the ice with glühwein (mulled wine), hot chocolate with optional rum and poffertjes (Dutch Mini Pancakes). Everybody goes skating.

Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is an absolutely unique European city.

The biggest Polish metropoly has more to offer than you could ever imagine! This is a vibrant city where young study and party, experts make careers, artist create and perform. Risen from ashes, now Warsaw is becoming a financial hub with numerous skyscrapers and even more being built, including the highest skyscraper in the European Union.

At the same time, the city is beautifully situated by the Wisła River. Both wild and planned parks along the river contribute to spectacular panorama of the city, especially when the sun goes down.

Warsaw is a place where the heart of Poland is beating. Thanks to its unbelievable history, Warsaw is an unexceptional mix of tradition and modernism. You will see it walking along streets, seeing a blend of architecture styles, a diversity of local shops and cafes.

Understanding the rich and complicated history of the city is possible thanks to plenty of museums that it offers, including The Warsaw Upising Museum or POLIN – Museum of the History of Polish Jews.

But Warsaw is not only about history – it’s a place where innovations are born, where creative people build a new image of the city.

In Warsaw there is a variety of events for everyone – youngsters, hipsters, children, artists and more. It’s a big city and every district has its spirit and places worth visiting. If you look for tradition, the best choice will be Śródmieście and the Old Town with colorful tenements. If you’re interested in some experience out of the beaten path, you should try Praga Północ with a lot of alternative cafes and specific architecture.

Another vivid area in Warsaw is a riverside – perfect place to relax, eat delicious polish food or party in the evening. It’s full of colorful, young people who create an atmosphere of the place.

Want to see more of the world? We at Dutchies recommend Warsaw. In the heart of this wonderful, unique city you’ll find Chillout Hostel. Everybody is always welcome there 🙂

Summer in Amsterdam. Hurry, it’s over before you know it. Summer in Amsterdam only takes 3 months: June, July and August. What can you do in the Summer in Amsterdam? Go shopping, visit Museums, take a sightseeing tour or … go to a festival! Enjoy the sun take an (expensive) beer and listen to the music. There are hundreds of festivals in the Summer. Don’t know where to go? Take a look at the following list. It, hopefully, makes it bit easier.

Big festivals in Amsterdam

• • Nomads Festival – 23 June
  • Awakenings Festival – 30 June
  • Gaasper Pleasure – 28 July

The best festivals in the Netherlands

• • Pinkpop – 15-17 June
  • Zwarte Cross – 12-15 July
  • A Campingflight to Lowlands Paradise – 17-19 August
  • Bospop – 14-15 July
  • Appelpop – 7-8 September

Festival close by Dutchies
You can also go to any of these festivals in the Westerpark. It’s only a 10 minute bikeride from Dutchies Hostel.

• • Mystic Garden – 16 June
  • Milkshake Festival – 28 June

Food festivals
But we do not only have music festivals. We Dutchies love food. Nowadays there are more and more festivals that dedicated to food. Do you like festivals? And do you like food? In the beautiful Amsterdam you can find the food festivals in the following parks in Amsterdam:

• • Foodtruck Festival TREK – In Amstelpark from 13-15 July
  • Burgerfestival – Near Westerpark on the 18^thAugust
  • De Parade – In Martin Luther King park from 12^thof August till 2^ndof September

And last but now least do not forget the Canal Parade. The biggest event to celebrate freedom, diversity and equal rights in the Netherlands. It has a spectacular boat parade on the Canals of Amsterdam. More than 80 decorated boats with music will give you a day to remember.

We recommend to take a look on Festival Info for more information about all the festivals in the Netherlands.

Although it’s not summer yet, we do have the feeling that it already arrived. Because it’s been, for Dutch standards, really hot these last few weeks. As soon as the sun is shining and it’s above 18 degrees, we leave our jackets home and put on our skirts or dresses. We try to enjoy as many terraces as possible and take in as much sunlight as possible. Because before you know it, the sun is gone.

So back to the weather. Since 1889 we have been keeping score of our heat records, cold records and our warmest and coldest averages. This has been done per day, month and year. Lately we have had a lot of new records. Probably because of the climate change.. We do like our new records, but we also like our environment and our country! When the climate changes to much, the Netherlands will definitely be flooded.

So this May we will set a new record for sure! Although the month isn’t over yet, we expect to have an average of 16,5 to 16,8 degrees Celsius (around 62 Fahrenheit). It’s the warmest May ever measured in the Netherlands. Just for your information, normally the average temperature in May is around 13,1 degrees Celsius and in June 15,6 degrees Celsius.

Like I said before, we Dutchies love soaking in the sun. This last month has been a blessing for us. Even the beaches have been occupied like crazy. The water isn’t the best temperature yet, but that doesn’t withhold a real Dutchie. The closest beach to Amsterdam is Zandvoort aan Zee. Take the train from Station Sloterdijk and 30 minutes later you have arrived at the beach. If you have a free day and the weather is warm and sunny, visit the beach. Take a seat on one of the terraces at the beach and order an amazing cocktail, a nice glass of wine or a beer, eat some nachos and enjoy the sun!

The spring has finally arrived in Amsterdam! I think most of us can agree that we were all fed up with the very cold winter this year, as “beast from the east” has brought us chilling winds and blizzards. It was really unpleasant in our city, but, at least we got to experience the frozen canals for the first time in years. Having that said, I want to present you with the signs that the cold days are finally over: blooming flowers everywhere!

The first flowers peeking through the snow in March were crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths. While we cannot deny their beauty, the popular symbol of the Netherlands is the tulip. They are available in a whole array of colors, and they start to show their beauty in mid April through to first week of May. This is the time of the year that you can discover fields of flowers looking like seas of colors.

The tulip season draws attention to many tourists across the world, because people want to see nature in full-blown colors. From April 21 until May 6 there is tulip festival taking place across Flevoland, which promotes this beautiful flower and makes it easier for people to experience it.

If you have a car, then you definitely have to make a trip northeast of Amsterdam to Noordoostpolder in Flevoland region. The authorities have prepared a 100km-long route accompanied with signs and information which lets you make a joyride along all the tulip fields. If you’re not convinced yet then, let me remind you, that you can only see those flowers for couple of weeks each year, and National Geographic has put this route on its 2009 list of most beautiful road trips in the world.

If you do not have a car, don’t worry, because you can still enjoy the views on your bicycle! There’s a smaller, “garden route”, that spans for 19 km and it involves 3 tulip fields. My suggestion for a lovely day-trip would be to take a train from Amsterdam to the small town called Emmelord and from there just explore on your bicycle around the tulip fields.

However, if you prefer something that sounds more like an organized trip, the Keukenhof garden would be more practical for you. While you don’t get to see the vast fields of flowers, you can enjoy the most beautiful flower garden in the world. It has 7 million tulips bulbs planted every year! That’s quite a lot for a park, if you ask me! You can also reach the garden in 30 minutes from Amsterdam, so that’s definitely something you cannot miss, if you don’t plan on making a full-day trip to see the fields.

So, if you are visiting us from mid April, you know what to do! It is truly a rare and unique sight. If you will need transport tickets or you would need to rent a bike for the whole-day trip, we can also help you out with it! We hope to see you soon!

The Dutch are well known for their two-wheeler culture. Bike usage in Amsterdam has rised 40% in the past 20 years. Moped numbers increased by almost 60 percent. Currently 1 in 25 Dutch adults owns a scooter, compared to 1 in 38 in 2000. Combined, Amsterdammers cover a distance of two million kilometres every day! Sometimes, even on one wheel!

Which brings us to the actual topic of this post. WHEELIES; it’s more difficult performing a wheelie on a scooter than performing it on a bike. With that being said, it’s not impossible or utterly impossible. I’ll guide you through the procedure:

1. The first thing is to grab the handle tightly.
2. Now you need to twist the throttle quickly so as to give it the initial lift. As you’re doing this, just pull the bike up with the handle. Make sure that you don’t pull it much at the first time or you might tend to pull it too up. If you get the scooter or bike too up, just make sure to apply the back brake. The scooter will come down abruptly so beware of that.
3. My advice to you would be to take it slow. Don’t try to get the bike all the way up in your first try, its more important to get the feel of it.
4. Practice will help you get the bike up more easily and safely.

For inspiration look at this 10 minute video preformed by the „Amsterdam Achterwiel“.

Want to give it a try? Or just want to bike through Amsterdam without performing wheelies. You can at Dutchies. You can rent a bike with us for €12,50 per day.