Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

Amsterdam, the city, unique in the world. With its beautiful buildings, its centre, always buzzing with action a melting pot of many cultures. Built around a spider's web of criss-crossing canals. Amsterdam is the warmly beating heart of the Netherlands.

Here are a few things we consider well worth being aware of. In any situation while travelling please use your sober judgement!

Parking is not only difficult but expensive in the city, with parking regulations strictly enforced. The clampers work day and night, and seem to pay particular attention to foreign cars. If your car is clamped, a yellow sticker on the window tells you where to pay the fine. If you don't pay the fine within 24 hours, your car will be towed away.

A strip of tickets, or strippenkaart, that you self-stamp on board can be bought in advance from newsagents, train stations, post-offices and other outlets. Single tickets from the driver or conductor [at the back seat once you get-on] will cost a bit more. Getting caught will cost you an on the spot fine.

These lanes are usually clearly marked with a bike symbol. These are express-roads through the city in which bike rules. Avoid walking on and standing in the bike lanes looking at maps, chatting to friends, etc. This drives locals mad. When you hear a bike bell, quickly get out of the way.

It is now prohibited for you to smoke in all trains, stations, waiting areas and on the platforms. Special smoking areas have been created. There are designated smoking pillars, which is basically a 2-meter high ashtray, where you can smoke and extinguish your cigarettes. The fine for smoking outside these area is quite high, and throwing your cigarette butt on the platform will cost you.

It is unsafe and illegal. It is prohibited for you to smoke in public [you could be fined, usually just a reminder from the policeman] and it is not considered polite to roam the streets, shops or restaurants while stoned. You can easily bump into a bike or a tram and die. If you must indulge, use the privacy of the coffee shop. And Never take anything drugs with you when leaving Holland!

Never take pictures of the occupied windows in Amsterdam Red Light District. Respect the privacy of both visitors and workers of the district. It's better keep your camera safe leave it in your hotel room. Don't talk to people trying to sell you something on the streets [most likely drugs or bikes] - this is illegal and you can be robbed. The drugs will not work and the bikes are likely stolen. Note there is a huge penalty when caught by police that patrols all well-known hotspots.

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