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Abroad, Guests, Netherlands

Adventure: Teodora Dobrilova in Amsterdam

posted by Dario
Sep 12, 2017 1104 1 1
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Good girls go to Heaven, bad girls go to Amsterdam and I go to museums

 

Everyone has heard (very specific things) about Amsterdam. But, shockingly enough, the city is not limited to coffee shops and the Red Light District. Amsterdam has culture. Amsterdam has spirit. Two things that most people never seem to ask about, once you return from the Dutch capital.

Amsterdam is heaven for art lovers. The National Museum (Rijksmuseum) offers a huge artistic selection, including works by remarkable painters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer. Even if one does not care about these things, “The Night Watch” is worth seeing.

The Van Gogh Museum has by default the richest collection of works from the Post-Impressionist painter. I had the opportunity to track his development as an artist, to see notable paintings such as “Vase with Twelve Sunflowers”

, “Almond Blossom“, “The Potato Eaters“, and a quite a lot of self-portraits. The museum also houses the paintings of other artists, which is an absolute joy for Impressionism-lovers.

As an addition to the displayed paintings, Amsterdam also offers another way for one to catch a glimpse of Rembrandt’s life – the artist’s house is available to visit. He lived there between the years from 1639 to 1660 and to this day the rooms in which he lived, the workshop in which he worked and the atmosphere of the era have been preserved.

Equally popular is the house where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis during the Second World War. The worldwide famous diary is exhibited in the house, and everywhere in the building there are photos from the time of the occupation.

Amsterdam is one of the largest centres for grinding, manufacturing and selling diamonds. Everywhere throughout the city there are diamond stores, and each salesman will try to convince you that their prices are the best. In the Diamond museum, you can learn a lot about the precious stones, from supplying to determining prices. There’s also a free demonstration, teaching guests how to distinguish a real diamond from fake ones, like stones made from cubic zirconia, for example.

In the Dutch capital there are museums dedicated to basically everything – tulips, beer, prostitution, erotica, pipes, microbes and so on. Apart from these and the mandatory galleries, I look to visit three things in every city – Hard Rock Cafe, Madame Tussauds and the Zoo. I didn’t get the chance to see the animals, but I did feast at Hard Rock

before entering the wax figures museum. The only problem with Madame Tussauds is the location – the narrow sidewalk can hardly accommodate the enthusiasts trying to get inside and the constant flow of people on the outside. Once you’re inside, you have Salvador Dali, Freddy Mercury, Angelina Jolie, Adele, Barack Obama and many others waiting for you.

Symbolic for Amsterdam are the three Saint Andrew’s Crosses, the canals, the tulips and … yes, the coffee shops and the red lanterns (which by the way can be found all throughout the city, not only in De Wallen).

A brief consultation with Wikipedia tells me that the crosses “indicate the three merits of the city: valour, tenacity and compassion. Tradition also links the three crosses to the three threats to the city: water, fire and epidemics.” I do not know about tradition, but I will forever associate them with the slogan “Good girls go to Heaven, bad girls go to Amsterdam”,  seen on T-shirts, ashtrays, magnets, lighters and virtually anything sold in souvenir shops.

Amsterdam is often called “the northern Venice” and there is a good reason for that – there are over 160 canals in the city. Unlike the Italian city however no one has complained about the smell of the Dutch canals.

There are numerous boat trips available to tourists, as well as various kinds of floating restaurants, bars and even Singel, the floating flower market. The market provides an impressive selection of all kinds of tulips and, of course, other flowers.

I don’t have anything interesting or remotely surprising to say about the coffee shops and De Wallen – everyone knows what they are about and there are thousands of articles on the subject, found on the Internet. Coffee shops are located on almost every street and even if you don’t immediately see them, don’t worry – the smell will lead you to your destination. The Red Light District is exactly what you think it is. Taking photos there is considered bad taste, although it was not strictly forbidden last time I checked.

And while the aforementioned are two of the more prominent symbols of Amsterdam, it should not be forgotten that the city has much more to offer. The food is delicious, the canals are charming and there are art and history museums all over. Also, with the help of the wonderful Dutch trains, one can travel quite easily and without spending a lot of money to places like Delft and The Hague, which also deserve their place in the spotlight.

Oh and … beware of cyclists!

Text and pictures Teodora Dobrilova.
You can follow Teodora and her adventures here!

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Travel Blogger

Dario Dionisi



If you want to know something more about me – my soul is a traveler, my origin is Italian and my true essence is a faithful friend. I am always open to new ideas and will be very happy if you want to contact me at dario@beyondsofia.com

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Dario • Exploring beyond Sofia
February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake ag February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake again. 

Yuki-Doro is challenging me who is the better poser. 🧐

#dog #hike # winter
I guess I am starting this year with a true challe I guess I am starting this year with a true challenge - hiking during winter under -15 degrees.

That was the case with the Boyana waterfall. Last year I visited them during the late summer and decided that I want to visit this place during the winter because, to be honest, I have never seen in person a big and full waterfall to be completely frozen.

So, let’s say it was something as a target for me to see it sooner or later. 

But as you can see it was really pleasant conquering this adventure because I had with me the best assistant ever - Mr. little adventurer Yuki-Doro. 

And yes, I won’t lie, I almost lost my hands and one of my legs from the extremely low temperature.

#dog #hike #winter
Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty o Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty of Yuki-Doro and I don’t blame them, to be honest. 

But as it is said - the devilish creations are the sweetest. Well, I can confirm this through my dog. 

SWIPE to the next picture and witness yourself that I have a true monster as a pet, he is twisted and scary, like a loooooot.

#dog #hiking #winter
Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? No, it' Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? 
No, it's Yuki-Doro conquering Cherni vrah peak at the age of 4 months.

Who would think that this little guy would manage to accomplish this so early stage in his life.

Imagine what he would do in the future, Everest here we come! 😂

#hiking #winter #dog
People have said it well that the dog is man's bes People have said it well that the dog is man's best friend.

This weekend was Yuki-Doro's first real adventure-challenge.

We wandered through the winter landscapes of snowy Vitosha.  Based on the amount of snow he ate, yes, he definitely liked the snow, it's good that it is low in calories, otherwise I would have returned to Sofia with a meatball.

Definitely this little one knows how to brighten up the atmosphere and make the trips more interesting.

I look forward to our next adventures.

Do you travel with your pets?

#winter #mountain #dog
Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain • So, let us Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain •

So, let us be clear here - I cannot stand winter and I really do not like the snow and cold. It is probably inherited from my Italian bloodline, who knows, but anyways.

However, I must confess, I have been multiple times in Vitosha mountain but probably for the first time I visit it for a whole hike to the peak during winter. Won’t lie, I enjoyed a lot the nature scenes I saw during my hike but still I was going to loose my hands no matter I had gloves all the time.

Overall, the experience was pleasant because it is good to remind ourselves what a true winter looks like. We all know that because of the global warming we do not have that heavy winter that we used to have back in the early 2000s. So, to see so much snow and peace at one place was a delight for my senses.

As I always say, it is good to challenge yourself and go out of your comfort zone. Only then you can discover many intriguing things, but most importantly -  to learn so many new things about yourself.

#winter #hiking #nature
Cherni vruh, the highest point of Vitosha mountain Cherni vruh, the highest point of Vitosha mountain 2290 m the peak is the fourth highest mountain summit in Bulgaria.

It presents the best spontaneous getaway if you want to go out in the nature. Also is way to good challenge yourself. I myself did it multiple times and must confess every time I climb it from different points it amazes me with the beauty that this mountain contains.

#Bulgaria #nature #mountain
The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Go The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Golden Bridges - amazingly beautiful natural phenomenon - the largest stone river in the Vitosha National Park. Massive stones (average size 2-3 meters) flow down from the mountain top to the valley for more than 2 miles long and 150 meters wide.

The stone river is ‘descending’ from elevation 1800 m above sea level to 1410 m at Golden Bridges site.

#Bulgaria #nature #stoneriver
Etudes of Vitosha • Is there anyone who lives i Etudes of Vitosha •

Is there anyone who lives in Sofia and had never visited Vitosha Mountain?

Because clearly this mountain is a pure nature gift for us all!

Vitosha Mountain is the oldest nature park on the Balkan Peninsula. Its gorgeous silhouette is visible from almost all positions in the city and is inseparable part of Sofia’ image.

Vitosha Naturе Park is the most broadly protected territory in Bulgaria, and due to its proximity to Sofia it has turned into a site of education in responsible attitude towards nature.

And don’t forget Sofia is the only European capital with such a big mountain so close to the city center.

So no matter the time and season Vitosha is always a good choice for adventures.

#Bulgaria #mountain #tourism
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