OK, so we all know what Amsterdam is all about don’t we? That’s right clogs and cheese. That’s what you were going to say isn’t it?!

Amsterdam is truly the home of the weird and wonderful in Europe attracting visitors from all walks of life. If you can see past the Red Light District and “Coffee Shops”, you will discover Amsterdam gets a little bit stranger as you turn each corner. Let’s start with the soon to be opened (November 2007) CORPUS, an experience center housed inside a giant human body where you will be able to learn about anatomy and physiology before ending your visit with a medical exam to tell you what’s wrong with you!

Obviously you can’t avoid the sex industry on a visit to Amsterdam so why not call in at the Sex Museum. Located right in the middle of one of the busiest streets in Amsterdam, the Damrak (think Oxford Street in London, Pitt Street Mall in Sydney or Fifth Avenue in New York), the museum displays a large collection of art, literature and artifacts of historical significance to the sex industry. Of course its interactive section has small private booths equipped with seven foot vibrating chairs …

Moving swiftly along is one of the most popular attractions in Amsterdam and one you can tell your Mom and Dad about - The Heineken Experience. Similar in theme to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, here you learn all about the lovely amber brew known as Heineken, and of course the highlight is the three samplings along the way. What’s so weird about that I hear you ask? Hmm … let me see, is it the section where you stand on a vibrating, rocking platform as you pretend to be a bottle of beer being processed, or where you sit in a wooden cart being thrown from side to side as you watch a film of a horse and cart trotting through the streets of Amsterdam?

The fourth weird highlight of Amsterdam would have to be FEBO. If you’ve been there you have a smile on your face already at the mere mention of this fabulous culinary experience! For those yet to have the FEBO experience let me enlighten you. FEBO is a chain of fast food type establishments along the lines of McDonalds and KFC, but with a distinctly Dutch flavor. Yes it’s still some kind of meat deep fried in oil, however instead of getting it over the counter, you simply insert your Euro into the slot in the wall. A little glass door opens and there you have your tasty little treat. It takes vending machines to a whole new level, and lets face it, not many big nights out in Amsterdam end somewhere other than late night munchies at FEBO. Don’t even get me started on why french fries are served with mayonnaise …

Yes, Amsterdam is the free spirited, uber-trendy place to be at the moment, but through the clouds of smoke and glowing red lights there is still just a touch of that mad old Auntie we pretend not to have, but deep down really love anyway.

-Kerrie O’Mahony

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 20th, 2006 at 12:39 pm and is filed under Destinations, Europe, Weird & Wonderful. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Get articles like this one delivered to your favorite RSS feed reader.
Subscribe to Viator Travel Blog now.