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Travelling solo can be a great and exciting way to explore a new place. While many travelers are content with visiting highly-trafficked tourist sites, I find exploring off the beaten track to be much fun; spending a holiday finding the best local attractions and hideouts can be incredibly rewarding. There are plenty of European destinations to choose from for an incredible city break: Amsterdam is one of these and boasts many hidden gems to uncover. Let me share with you some great ways to see them for yourself. On Foot Touring on foot is perhaps the best way to learn about the destination. Over the course of a couple hours, you’ll hear from an expert guide about Amsterdam’s beginnings as a small village on the River Amstel to how it became Europe’s preeminent centre for trade. A walking tour is also a great way for a solo traveler to explore famous sites and to meet others while doing so. The guides will show you landmarks like the Rembrandt Museum and the Anne Frank House, but they will also offer recommendations for the best cafes, bars, and restaurants that you should try to include on your city break. Amsterdam may just even be the perfect place to meet some fun people to make memories! By Bicycle A bicycle tour of Amsterdam and its surroundings is by far the most local way to see the sites. And there is much to see! Tours usually start around the Salt Harbour, where there are breathtaking views of the IJ River. As you set out from the centre, you’ll take in famous landmarks including the iconic windmills and more traditional farms. You’ll enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Amstel River - from which Amsterdam gets its namesake – such as the remarkable Skinny Bridge, the BlauwBrug (“Blue Bridge”), and even the series of locks with which the municipality regulates the level of water within its famed canals. By Boat Amsterdam is famous for its many canals, which intersect its centre, and a cruise is a great way to see it at its most picturesque. You can choose a day or night excursion, and there are plenty of options catering to all tastes: take your pick of a hop-on-hop-off canal bus, a romantic candlelit dinner cruise, or even a pizza and burger-themed cruise! With outings lasting from an hour to several, hopping on a boat is an excellent way to meet other travelers, strike up a conversation in a friendly atmosphere, and explore some of the best local waterside attractions. How to Get There If you are looking for a close destination for your city break, Amsterdam is the best choice; Schiphol Airport is only an hour or so from London airports. Once you land, the centre is around 20km away, and taking a low-cost shuttle direct to your accommodation is the most recommended and hassle-free way to start your holiday. Author Plate Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re heading off for a relaxing city break, Amsterdam is the perfect destination and Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.
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