The Amsterdam Red-Light District
You have probably heard about the Amsterdam Red-Light District as
this is a very famous section in the Netherlands. Much to your surprise, what
you may have heard is true! Here are some facts about the Amsterdam Red-Light
District, a place unlike any place else.
Amsterdam prides itself on its wholly liberal and tolerant
attitude. The city embraces, with the Amsterdam Red-Light District, the fact
that people may be into prostitution, pornography and soft drugs. So, instead
of criminalizing everything, Amsterdam wears its heart on its sleeve. What you
see is generally what you get.
It has been servicing the personal needs
and desires of locals and visitors for five centuries, and thanks to the old
buildings leaning at odd angles overlooking the tree-enshrouded canals that a
certain charm tempts you to linger longer in the area. In this district, music
of every genre can be heard along the streets from a dozen or more places late
at night. And, it is the classier restaurants, redone streets, and revamped
facades that transform what once dark and dingy into one of the most attractive
parts of town – the Amsterdam Red-Light District.
The famous
Amsterdam red light district is also well known as the “Rossebuurt,”
covering a large area in the oldest part of the city. It consists of three
sub-districts: the main area is in the Walletjes located between Centraal
Station and Nieuwenmarkt; the Singel, located between Raadhuistraat and
Centraal Station; and de Pijp, situated behind the Rijksmuseum.
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Hotel Pulitzer
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The Hotel Pulitzer is located in the center of
Amsterdam close to Dam Square and the Royal Palace, Overlooking two of the
city's most picturesque canals, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht. It occupies 25
restored and integrated 17th- and 18th-century canal houses on the quiet but
centrally located Kaiser Canal.
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Prostitution in the District
Did you know that prostitution is legal in the Netherlands? Yes,
it is! It is most concentrated in the Amsterdam Red-Light District where it has
enjoyed a long tradition of tolerance. It has been reported that since October
2000, window prostitutes have been allowed to legally ply their trade. Much to
your surprise, the prostitutes in the Netherlands are also taxpayers. However,
discrimination is still very much part and parcel in this kind of trade as a
number of the prostitutes reported that some banks even refuse to grant them
mortgages.
Women of all nationalities parade their wares in red-fringed
window parlors. Many of these women are ready to offer more than a school boy
peep show in a private cabin. The Amsterdam red light district is also
well-known for the pads of men, young and old, couples holding hands, giggling
groups of women celebrating a hen night, as well as busloads of Japanese
tourists toting cameras. Be aware, though, that pointing your camera in the
direction of the female entertainers is strictly banned. In Amsterdam's red
light district, that is one thing you might get trouble for doing.
As a
legal profession, the government ensures that all prostitutes are able to
access medical care and work in better conditions by way of regulating and
monitoring working practices and standards. Also, it is worth noting that
contrary to the popular belief, the Amsterdam Red-Light District is actually
the safest area in the city as clusters of policemen and private bodyguards
employed by the girls themselves are always on duty.
Several Hotspots in the Red Light District
De Bananenbar
De Bananenbar is owned by the owners of
the Casa Rosso, another famous red light hotspot. Here, active audience
participation is highly encouraged as bananas are transformed into erotic
devices by the hostesses. It is basically due to this kind of entertainment
that De Bananenbar was made popular among tourists and stag parties. Also,
there is a semi-negotiable cover charge here; however, once you are in, the
drinks are on the house.
Casa Rosso
Casa Rosso is
actually the hottest spot in the Amsterdam red light district. It is the most
famous and certainly the largest night club, which is located in the middle of
the red light district. This place is well-known for its clean and comfortable
erotic theater, which manages to create a family atmosphere, making it a must
see for every tourist. Also, in this particular area of Amsterdam red light
district, live shows with audience participation are present every night.
Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge is another hotspot in the Amsterdam
red light district well-known for its erotic theatre. The erotic theater of the
Moulin Rouge embraces the tradition of its famous Paris counterpart, which
features striptease and live shows.
Absolute Danny
If what
you are after is a sex shop in Amsterdam red light district, Absolute Danny
deserves a special mention. This is actually one of the first shops managed
entirely by a woman, and the atmosphere here is said to be distinctly different
from the basic shop. As commonly noted, the orientation in this place is
towards fetish clothing, with a number of clothes, lingerie and corsets in
rubber, PVC, see-through and leather. Also, in this shop, accessories abound.
You will also find books, jewelry, videos, erotic art, and the traditional sex
articles like the one and only Tarzan vibrator.
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News from Amsterdam...
Russian First Lady Joins Dutch Crown Princess in Opening the Keukenhof
03/17/2010 -  Dutch Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands today opened the Keukenhof Gardens for the 2010 season, which runs through May 16. As the theme for the 61st year of the world's largest bulb gardens is "From Russia with Love," Russian first lady Svetlana Medvedeva joined in the opening ceremony, which included the "christening" of a new white tulip variety named "Medvedeva."
Blooming Russian-themed landscapes will feature beds planted in the shape of matryoschka dolls, as well as an 82 ft. by 50 ft. floral reproduction of Moscow's Saint Basil's Cathedral, comprising 65,000 bulbs.
After one of the coldest Dutch winters on record, bloom time for the bulbs will come later in the season than in years past. But according to experts, the bulbs will benefit from more plant growth hormone after such conditions.
Be sure to see my gallery of photos from the Keukenhof, as well as my Guide to Tulip Time in Holland.
Pictured: Dutch Crown Princess Maxima and Russian First Lady Svetlana Medvedeva
Photos Courtesy of Keukenhof Gardens Russian First Lady Joins Dutch Crown Princess in Opening the Keukenhof originally appeared on About.com Amsterdam Travel on Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 at 14:33:19. Permalink | Comment | Email this
Central European 'Summer' Time Starts March 28
03/10/2010 - Although the United States will begin observing Daylight Saving Time on March 14, Europe won't "spring ahead" until Sunday, March 28. At 2:00 a.m., the time in Amsterdam will change to Central European Summer Time -- one hour ahead of the current time. Don't forget to set your watch.
Of course, the seasonal time shift in Amsterdam means lovely late sunsets are on the way -- by the end of this month the sun won't go down until 8:15 p.m. That's worth losing the extra hour of sleep! Central European 'Summer' Time Starts March 28 originally appeared on About.com Amsterdam Travel on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 08:29:26. Permalink | Comment | Email this
Top Reasons to Visit Amsterdam
03/08/2010 - I'm currently in Charleston, South Carolina, where I've been introduced a dozen times in the past week as the "little sister who used to live in Amsterdam." That leads to loads of questions from my bragging sibling's friends about the city, the Dutch and what it was like to call such a unique place home. I think this list of the top reasons to visit Amsterdam is a good starting point for understanding a city that almost defies description. Top Reasons to Visit Amsterdam originally appeared on About.com Amsterdam Travel on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 12:08:24. Permalink | Comment | Email this
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