World Tourism Blog

Amsterdam is no longer a bargain, but city of canals and bicycles can be had for a discount

Built 400 years ago in concentric horseshoes, they are the rib cage of the city. Coasting their waters on a canal boat opens windows onto a history of vast wealth and global power. The cobbled streets alongside the canals are scenic urban pathways for walking or biking. And they are anchors for funky shops, cafes and — of course — Amsterdam’s flamboyant Red Light district and marijuana bars.

The inner city of the Dutch capital is a compact warren of heritage buildings, of museums both grand and odd, of hidden gardens and outdoor markets — all within easy reach by any mode of transport except the unwelcome car.

No longer the bargain city of Europe, Amsterdam is still a town of wonders that can be had for a discount, and sometimes for free.

WALKING AND BIKING

Seeing 17th century Amsterdam, with its proud past and sometimes quirky culture on display, from a bike or on foot is a happy cost-free experience. Among its 2,000 or so bridges, the Bridge of 15 Bridges at the intersection of two canals is among the most spectacular, with a view of a series of stone spans whose arches are gracefully lit at night.

The city also has hidden gems that require guidance or tips to find: Some gardens, tucked away in courtyards or behind stately apartments, are open to the public any time, while others open on a special day of the year. The Rijksmuseum, with its Rembrandts and Vermeers, costs $14 (?11) entry, but its garden is open year-round for free.

The Begijnhof is a grassy courtyard surrounded by 14th century cottages — an oasis of quiet at one of the busiest sections of town where a small chapel often stages musical recitals. Near the Begijnhof is a covered passageway known as the Civics Guard Gallery, with 15 huge group portraits — from the same time as Rembrandt’s Night Watch — of leading citizens from the Dutch Golden Age.

Outside the well-trod shopping lanes are the lesser known sections, like the “Nine Lanes,” lined with tiny specialty establishments like the handmade soap shop, the spectacles museum and a store dedicated to toothbrushes. The Jordaan, once the working class district, has been revived with boutiques, tapas bars and ethnic restaurants.

Prinsengracht canal in Amsterdam.

Ahh … the single life. Freedom to do what you want, how you want, when you want — but if all that alone time is getting a bit, well, lonely, head to one of the places we’ve picked as tops for vacationing singles looking to pair up, hook up, or shack up this Valentine’s Day and beyond.

Meet your match while dancing the tango, have a date with a power-hungry politician-in-training, or hit the high seas with similarly uncoupled shipmates — whatever you’re into and whoever you’re looking for, your chances of a successful love match increase with every visit to one of our singles vacation destinations.

Amsterdam

Singles set off to freewheeling Amsterdam in droves for the ultimate in boys-being-boys and girls-gone-wild escapades, mesmerized by the city’s free-thinking, live-and-let-live mantra.

With a Dutch policy structured on controlling what it can’t efficiently outlaw, illegalized American no-nos like marijuana (widely available in Amsterdam’s ubiquitous coffeeshops) and even prostitution (witness the notorious Red Light District) are both permitted and regulated here.

Should you find a fellow single that piques your interest away from the debauchery, start your love affair with a hand-in-hand stroll along the 1,000-plus bridges that span the city’s 160 canals.

At Sea

While cruising has long been regarded as a couples sport, the tides are now turning, with many singles looking to meet their mate on the high seas.

Carnival and Royal Caribbean boast a party atmosphere and attract lots of unattached cruisers, while cruise consolidators like

VacationsToGo.com host a handful of singles-only voyages throughout the year to destinations like the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Alaska.

Though most all cruise ships host singles mixers during the first day or two, special singles vacation theme cruises like these are gaining popularity and are a guarantee for meeting other travelers looking for love.

What’s more, Norwegian’s new Epic, setting sail in July 2010, will feature the industry’s first studios designed and priced for solo travelers. While single occupancy cabins on other lines are either nonexistent or cost significantly more than doubles, the Epic’s 128 posh staterooms (all with full-size beds) start from just $799 for 7-night itineraries.

Buenos Aires

Beautiful and bountiful characterizes the singles scene in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, Argentina.

ToursGoneWild.com, a guide for singles on the move, offers packages with VIP perks to the best A-list clubs, but even if you don’t luck out with one of the stunning models that frequent them, there’s still plenty of opportunity to meet a fellow single.

The popularity of the tango means lots of willing dance partners in Buenos Aires are looking to pair up, and we can’t think of a better way to forge a romance than while dancing one of the world’s most seductive dances. Even if you come home alone, knowing a few tango moves will certainly be advantageous in your next love affair.

Juneau

Legend has it that men outnumber women 2-to-1 in Alaska — and although actual census data doesn’t give the ladies quite such odds, it’s nonetheless true that more men than women do live in the 49th state.

Burly outdoorsmen who can build a cozy fire (without Duraflame) and take on a grizzly abound, particularly in “bush Alaska” where miners, trappers, and fishermen live.

City gals who love fur hats and lipstick equally, however, can descend on the capital at Juneau, for a singles vacation with a bit of cosmopolitan flair. Not only are political powerhouses also on the scene, but ample restaurants, galleries, and watering holes are on hand to make the setting for a great first date.

Las Vegas

With a motto like “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” it’s no surprise that Sin City is rife with opportunities to misbehave.

Single guys and gals flock here from around the globe, many in town for the hedonistic tradition of the bachelor / bachelorette party and looking for love (though perhaps of the one-night variety).

There’s always a chance that you’ll meet that special someone and cap off the night with a spontaneous walk down the aisle of a famed Vegas chapel. The nightlife is legendary — from bars and clubs to strip joints and cabarets — so whether or not you manage to hook up here, a good time is guaranteed.

Miami

With a reputation for bikinis, beaches, and beautiful bodies, a visit to Miami, Florida is sure to put you in the mood for love, or at least a fling.

But it’s not just sun and sand — Miami is also a diverse, cosmopolitan city with plenty of options for a singles vacation. Try salsa lessons to pick up some dance moves (as well as a date), check out the thriving gay scene, visit a bookstore with music and readings if you’re literary-minded, and hit the dance clubs to rub shoulders with celebrities.

The culturally inclined can also check out the newly hip galleries and art scene — perfect for chatting up artsy types.

New York

If you’re on the lookout for a lady with style, sophistication, and street smarts, New York is the obvious place to start your search.

Gentlemen take note, the world’s culture capital is brimming with single ladies — National Geographic claimed (in 2007) that there are 185,000 more available women than men in the New York metro area! No wonder those gals from “Sex and the City” had such a hard time finding guys!

There’s no shortage of nightlife spots where you might meet that special someone, and with a lifetime’s worth of restaurants, museums, concerts, and so much more, you’ll never have to go on same date twice.

Rome

Ciao bella (hello beautiful). It’s easy to feel like Sylvia in Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita” when showered with attention from Italian men in Rome.

This dark and handsome breed flirts just as often and as naturally as he breathes and American women may find it hard to resist his charming swagger and poetic whispers. Compliments and stares aside, Italian men, if given the chance, will woo their ladylove over Chianti and carbonara under starry skies on the Piazza Navona.

And whether or not you find eternal love in the Eternal City, you’re bound to get a taste of la dolce vita while on a singles vacation here — and perhaps a fling with your very own Casanova.

Tokyo

Renting hotel rooms by the hour is certainly no foreign concept, but when you do it in Tokyo, it’s definitely (slightly) less sleazy.

In a city where privacy is at a premium, couples in search of some alone time visit one of the city’s Love Hotels (also called couples’ hotels), mostly found in the Shibuya district.

Recognizable by their hourly and overnight rates — often posted outside — the emphasis here is on discretion: rooms are typically selected via push button, keys arrive via pneumatic tube or clerk behind dark glass, and multiple hotel exits facilitate clandestine escapes.

Rooms, meanwhile, are decked out with everything from mirrored ceilings to bathtubs for two — and even karaoke on demand. If you’re a singleton on the prowl in Tokyo, you shouldn’t have a problem finding someone to share the experience with you.

Washington, D.C.

Henry Kissinger once said “power is the greatest aphrodisiac,” and if you subscribe to that theory, there’s no better place for a singles vacation than Washington, D.C., where love and politics converge.

Democrats and Republicans alike debate (and flirt) over drinks everywhere from intimate lounges to rowdy sports bars, while the capital’s monuments and museums make for romantic backdrops when lit up at night.

With a tantalizing mix of transplants from all over the U.S. and abroad, you’re sure to make some interesting — and hopefully high-powered — connections. Home Security Systems.

With fuel costs soaring and environmental conservation in vogue, the bicycle is making a comeback in many cities, becoming a major part of urban transportation plans.

Men’s Web site AskMen.com has come up with a list of the world’s top most bicycle-friendly cities.

1. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam’s comes top when it comes to bicycle-friendly cities and nearly 40 percent of all commutes in Amsterdam are done by bicycle. Public bikes are available to rent and plans to construct a massive bike parking structure at the city’s main train station are underway.

2. Copenhagen, Denmark
About 32 percent of Copenhagen residents are biking to work on a regular basis. The city’s pro-bike culture allows you to rent a public bike for free for just a deposit.

3. Bogota, Colombia
While government programs for bike riding aren’t as robust as those in Europe or America, Bogota has a demographic advantage that makes it a bicycle-friendly city — only 13 percent of residents own cars, which makes bicycles a necessity. In fact, once a week, the city closes over 70 miles of streets to vehicle traffic in favor of bicycle riders, joggers, skaters and others.

4. Curitiba, Brazil
Bicycle integration is at the core of the well-planned Curitiba. The city has been pushing cycling as the go-to mode of transportation for more than 40 years and the result has been the ubiquity of bike lanes. A vibrant bike-oriented activist community exists to promote bicycle riding as an alternative to auto congestion.

5. Montreal
Two years ago, Montreal embarked on a $134 million plan to revamp the city’s bike trails and create a more bicycle-friendly atmosphere. The plan included incorporating bicycle-friendly lock points into standard parking meters. The city currently boasts 2,400 miles of trails with plans to expand. Montreal also has the first urban bike-share infrastructure in North America, the Bixi program.

6. Portland, Ore.
Portland has created bicycle paths that connect the urban neighborhoods so a rider can bypass auto commuting altogether. The city also offers low-cost commuter bicycles to the city’s less wealthy residents which come complete with a helmet, lock, pump, maps, and rain gear. With over 260 miles of trails and paths, Portland achieves a commuter rate of nearly 9 percent.

7. Basel, Switzerland
Basel features street lanes specifically geared toward bicycle riders and include left-hand turn lanes that are unique to riders. Basel also supports a robust network of bike-rental programs that allow tourists and residents alike to ride.

8. Barcelona, Spain
Among the now-standard bike lanes, signals and maps that are ubiquitous in major European cities, Barcelona also has created a green ring that runs the perimeter of the urban core. This bike path is peppered with 100 different bike stations as part of Barcelona’s bike-sharing program, allowing riders to rent and drop off at different locations.

9. Beijing
As in most developing countries, the car is on the rise, but biking is still the best way to get around Beijing as car traffic is so slow and congested. Air quality has been a major issue with the promotion of bicycle riding as a prominent policy push.

10. Trondheim, Norway
One of the biggest drawbacks to riding a bicycle has to be pedaling uphill so Trondheim has come up with a novel solution to riding uphill — bicycle lifts that act like ski tows and allow the rider to glide up a hill without having to pedal. Home Security Systems.

Canadian officials have banned most carry-on luggage for U.S.-bound passengers following a failed Christmas Day plot to blow up a plane flying from Amsterdam to Detroit.

Transport Canada said Monday that passengers may only carry medical devices, small purses, cameras, laptop computers, canes, walkers, diaper bags, musical instruments and bags containing “life-sustaining items.”

Travelers headed for the United States have been allowed to carry on only one bag since Saturday, following 23-year-old Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab’s alleged attempted to bring down a Northwest Airlines flight as it prepared to land in Detroit on Friday.

Transport Canada said it is trying to alleviate backlogs at security checkpoints, after passengers complained of chaos and long lines at Pearson International Airport in Toronto over the weekend and Monday morning.

Police are now helping with security at four of Canada’s biggest airports after Transport Canada requested assistance. Police are performing a secondary search of passengers after they pass the main security check point at airports in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. About 40 Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers are doing searches at Pearson.

Transport Canada spokesman Patrick Charette said the measures are expected to remain in place for at least several days.

“We hope the restrictions on those carry-on baggage will help to assure the effectiveness and efficiency of security screening,” Charette said.

At the Toronto airport Monday morning, every U.S.-bound passenger was subjected to a pat-down and luggage was inspected by hand. Getting through the checks took about three hours, with some information boards citing the security measures for several delays and cancelations.

Trish Krale of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority said Monday went somewhat more smoothly at Pearson after a very difficult weekend. More than 130 flights were canceled.

Air Canada and its affiliate Jazz canceled several short-haul flights to the U.S. due to security delays. Air Canada consolidated flights and operated larger aircraft on some routes — particularly from Toronto to destinations in the Northeastern U.S.

“We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of our customers during this challenging time and ask them to assist us in getting them to their destination faster by bringing as little carry-on as possible,” Duncan Dee, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said in a statement. “Air Canada is doing everything it can to maintain its schedule, despite the delays caused by security screening issues outside its control. However, our number one priority remains the safety and security of our customers and staff.”

One woman said the lines are the worst she’s seen during her family’s annual Christmas trek to Canada.

“This is probably five times the lines we’ve ever experienced,” said Christin Grand, who was traveling home to Atlanta with her three children and husband. “We come up every Christmas and never experienced lines like this. We usually show up an hour and fifteen minutes before our flight and we’re two plus hours before and it’s still crazy.”

Andre Belanger, a Montreal resident flying to Fort Lauderdale from Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, didn’t mind that he was sent back to check in a carry-on bag. Hard money training.

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, calls itself  ‘Capital of Inspiration’. And indeed it is an inspiring destination: at one moment the visitor feels himself transported to the 17th century, at another moment he is in the hustle and bustle of a modern city. Compact, traditionally cosmopolitan and solidly rooted in its past, but with a strongly international and forward-looking attitude. It is a true Gateway to Europe, thanks to its seaport and the nearby presence of one of the continent’s busiest airports. Most of Amsterdam’s inhabitants are multilingual. The city itself houses the world’s most beautiful works of art, has more canals than Venice, more bridges than Paris, 7,000 historic monuments and scores of ultramodern buildings.

A melting pot of cultures, Amsterdam offers art forms and architecture from ancient to avant-garde. The city’s waterways offer unique forms of transport.