Most of us approach a long-awaited vacation with extreme care. We spend hours and days choosing hotels, studying guidebooks and blogs, and planning our routes. However, even with such meticulous planning, when it seems every detail is accounted for, our trip to Amsterdam or any other city in the world can be marred for various reasons. Even if we set aside criminal incidents like pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots or accidentally buying counterfeit tickets for concerts and festivals, there are still enough issues that might ruin our vacation. Overrated cafes and restaurants are common, as well as fake Amsterdam "hidden gems." These incidents aren't fatal, but they leave a feeling of disappointment and an unpleasant aftertaste.
Here are some tips to help avoid trouble during your trip and ensure your vacation is joyful.
- Don't buy tickets from scalpers.
Tickets for many concerts, football matches, and festivals sell out instantly. It can be hard to get into the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, or the Rijksmuseum at the significant exhibitions. Travelers who have not purchased tickets in advance might be tempted to buy them from scalpers at inflated prices. For instance, tickets to the Van Gogh Museum can go up to a hundred euros—five times their actual cost.
General advice: If possible, buy tickets in advance from the official websites of festivals, museums, etc. But if you missed the chance, look for a travel company or private guide offering tours of the museum you're interested in. Before booking the tour, discuss whether the tour agency can help you get tickets. Most likely, the tour company or guide will be happy to provide this service for a small fee.
- Avoid fake “hidden gems.”
If you’ve heard about a “secret yard,” an “authentic bar known only to locals,” or “the best apple pie in Amsterdam” from a popular travel blog with many followers, there are high chances you’ll find not unique experiences but long lines. "The authenticity" might turn out to be a mask hiding a marketing strategy.
General advice: If you want to see truly authentic or unique places, take time to find information in less-known local blogs, join local social media communities, and browse regional media. During your trip, talk to locals—starting with bartenders and ending with museum staff. Most locals are happy to share information with genuinely interested listeners. If you don’t have time for this, plan a couple of tours with a local guide at the start of your trip. Local guides can show you many truly worthwhile and unique spots. You can also order a custom travel itinerary—many customer-orientated tour companies and private guides now offer this service.
- Avoid tourist-oriented cafes and restaurants.
Prices in such places are often much higher. But that is not the worst part. It is especially disappointing when high prices come with mediocre quality and poor service. For example, "the best waffles in Amsterdam,” made according to an “authentic recipe,” always have a queue. And you won't find a single Dutch person buying them there. Not just because the waffles are overpriced, but because locals know many places with equally delicious and authentic waffles.
General advice: Check the menu and prices on the website in advance and read reviews on Google Maps. Focus only on reviews from locals, who can judge the prices and quality.
- Choose your guide carefully to avoid disappointment.
We all have different ideas about the perfect tour. For some, it’s a fun and easy walk with a pleasant person chatting about life. Others need almost a university lecture.
General advice:
- The simplest and most reliable way to find a good guide is through recommendations from friends or colleagues with similar interests.
- Think about what kind of tour you’re interested in: group or private, light and easy-going “walk with a friend” or information-packed. For instance, when booking a “walk with a friend,” Airbnb experiences are ideal. You might not gain deep historical and cultural knowledge, but you’ll have a great time with a local.
- If you prefer a personal approach, avoid booking tours on large marketplaces that aim to standardize their offerings. Choose small tour aggregators or book directly with a tour company or guide you like. The difference is similar to shopping at a wholesale supermarket versus a farmer’s market.
- Carefully read reviews of several tour companies or guides you’ve chosen. Ideally, reviews should be on multiple platforms, like Google, Trustpilot, etc.
- If you’re booking a private tour, don’t hesitate to write to the guide about your interests and preferences. This allows your guide to tailor the route and story specifically for you. And during the tour, ask questions about everything that interests you.
These tips are useful not only for a trip to Amsterdam but for any most visited city. Plan ahead, choose your guides carefully, and avoid tourist traps to make your vacation joyful and carefree. May your journey be filled only with pleasant experiences and fascinating discoveries!
