Eating and drinking in Rome is an adventure on its own, but just like in the adventures, Rome has many scary places. Sure, you could do all your research on Yelp or Tripadvisor before every meal, and walk around with your phone glued to your hand and face, but come on, don’t be that guy. Just don’t. Some of the magic about cities like Rome is to discover that perfect little place, hidden away from the tourist tracks, but chances are that after a long day of walking and sightseeing, you’ll strike out sometimes and bumb into a tourist trap with photos of the food on the menu. But to really be able to appreciate the great places, you have to experience the bad ones too.

As with most Italian cities, you can’t walk far in Rome without finding a place to eat or drink. A huge part of the Italian culture (and a huge part of why we love it so much there) revolves around the food, and everything associated with it. The Roman kitchen is famous for it’s delicious food, and several of it’s dishes are internationally known, such as Spaghetti alla Carbonara, veal Saltimbocca alla Romana, bruschetta, pasta all’Amatriciana, and the oh so delicious Cacio e Pepe. Just to mention some. But be aware, that even though these dishes originated in Rome, not every restaurant serves a good version.
Romans usually eat dinner at around 8pm, so many restaurants close after lunch from 3pm, for then to open again at around 7pm. The restaurants closer to the bigger tourist attractions and piazzas are usually open all day, but keep in mind that these places cater to tourists, and the food suffers from this.

To start the day, Italians aren’t usually big on breakfast. They have an espresso or two, preferably standing in the bar at the coffee shop, maybe throw down a cornetto or biscotto, and then continue their day. This is also the only time of day you can drink a cappucino without coming off as a clueless tourist. Why? An Italian waiter once told me that Italian children get enough milk when they’re small, so they don’t drink it as adults. And if they drink cappuccino, it’s only early in the morning. Fact? I don’t know. But I do know that if you take your coffee (and breakfast, if you’re that type) sitting down at a table, you have to pay more than if you chug it all down at the bar.
A must for delicious espresso, just around the corner from Pantheon, is the beautiful coffee bar Tazza d’Oro, meaning the cup of gold. Established in 1944, they still live up to their name, and if you want an unforgettable cup of brown gold, this is the place. Patrons are adviced to drink their coffee standing at the bar, and since this place is always buzzing with coffee-thirsty people, there’s no need to sit around for long. 

Since Italians don’t have a big breakfast culture in general, don’t expect to find a huge continental breakfast at your hotel either, unless you stay at a big chain hotel. At a typical Italian hotel-breakfast, you’ll find coffee, fresh fruits, yoghurt, pastries and toast with cheese, ham or jam. If you find more than this at the breakfast buffet, you can bet that the hotel has received complaints from American or British tourists.

Whether you’re the kind that just has some pizza al taglio to go, or prefer to sit down at a ristorante and have a full meal, lunch in Italy is a big part of the day. Just remember to not eat your food on one of the major sights (such as the Fontana di Trevi or the Spanish steps), this is actually illegal, and you could end up with a hefty fine.

Before dinner, nothing is better than aperitivo time! Usually between 6pm to 9pm, bars up the prices on their drinks, and in return, you get to sample delicious pre-dinner snacks, sometimes from a buffet, and sometimes served as small nibbles. Whether you prefer to sit in a small, romantic alley or at a large piazza, you don’t need to look long or walk far until you find a suitable place.
At Baccano, just around the corner from the Trevi fountain, they have really yummy aperitivo snacks, and the interior itself is worth a visit alone, if you like classical, old style bars. For another place with old glamour, check out Harry’s Bar in Via Vittorio Veneto. Although it’s not own by Cipriani like the original Harry’s Bar in Venice, it sure lives up to its name. Get lost in their Bellinis and pretend to be in La Dolce Vita.
Although it’s a bit touristy, I also recommend to at least have a glass or two at one of the beautiful piazzas, like Piazza Navona or in front of the Pantheon. At night, the atmosphere there changes completely from the daily stress, and if you can ignore the street vendors and the other tourists, there’s nothing like sipping some Prosecco in front of pure history.

Now, the most important meal of the day in Italy is the dinner! Antipasto, primo, secondo and dolce, the four dishes that make up the perfect dinner, although you might not have room for all of them. Antipasto is naturally the appetizer, the starter of the meal, and can consist of anything from delicious tomato bruschetta, cheeses, hams, olives, or just a big plate of all the above together. 
Primo piatto, the first course is usually where you find your pasta, risotto and soups. Secondo piatto is the bigger meat and fish dishes, and dolce is of course dessert. Just let me say that there is no shame in ordering for instance only antipasti and dessert, or going straight to the second course without a starter. There’s no law that says that you have to order all four dishes, and we have never encountered any waiter who has frowned upon this. They might frown if you ask for ketchup though.
Aw, my stomach is rumbling just from writing about the Italian cuisine, it’s just that good. It’s not a bad idea to do some research in advance of your dinners, as most good restaurants are packed during the peak hours from around 6pm to 11pm, and making a reservation is always a good thing, but the satisfaction from finding an amazing place just by chance is priceless.

And hey, when in Rome, don’t forget to have some gelato too  🙂

Although “hygge” is in general a Scandinavian concept, no one does it as well as the Danish. Translated into basically anything that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, “hygge” can be achieved pretty much anywhere in Copenhagen. Whether you want to have a glass or five at a cosy, brown pub, eat inventive and delicious cuisine from the Scandinavian kitchen, stroll alongside the watersides with a warm cup o’joe, or do some high street shopping, then Copenhagen is for sure your friend.

Being the most continental of the Scandinavian capitals, Copenhagen shows off its long history with grand architecture in many different styles, in accordance with when and how the city was developed and built. You can find beautiful architectural examples of Rococo and Baroque, renaissance castles and art noveau decorations. There are quaint cobble-stoned back alleys with small wooden houses, right next to Classicist palaces that make you think of French kings with big powdered wigs.

Besides the diverse architecture, Copenhagen can offer just a diverse selection of food, design and tourist attractions. How about a delicious smørrebrød (a danish open-faced sandwich with fresh and yummy toppings), the newest in Scandinavian design, a pint of Carlsberg or Tuborg beer, or a trip to one of the oldest amusement parks in the world? Being the leading expert in “hygge”, Copenhagen has something to please even the grumpiest of travelers.

 

There aren’t many cities I can think of that are as romantic as Rome. Although I have heard from some disappointed travelers that it didn’t meet their expectations, that it’s too touristy or too expensive, I can’t help but think that it’s not Rome, it’s you.

Sure, Rome, as any big city, has its flaws
and tourist traps. If you are close to any major tourist attraction, don’t expect the nearby restaurants to be amazing. If you, like us, stand at the Spanish steps, and stick out like a Skittle in a chocolate bowl, you will be scammed. Or at least attempted scammed. We got scammed. But only once. And it was “only” 20 euros, so it was a sour but cheap lesson in not trusting anyone. So, if someone seems too nice and interested in you, they are most likely trying to scam you. If someone asks you without any good reason “heeey, where you from”, and “put out your finger and hold this thread while I make you a bracelet that you don’t want, but you have to buy it because I already tied it securely to your wrist, and oh, you don’t have any less change than 20 euros, well, how fortunate that the bracelet ‘only’ costs 20 euros then, byee”, then for the love of god don’t put out that damn finger!!

But still, despite Rome’s flaws and faults, I can’t help but love this beautiful city. To be able to stand inside the Colosseum, to wander about in the ruins of Forum Romanum and to gaze up at the sky through the dome of Pantheon, are things that will stay with you forever. Not to talk about the delicious food you can have here! Just do a little research, and don’t fall in the tourist traps, you’ll be good. You could also end up being lucky, and stumble into that perfect, rustic little trattoria, where you get to sit by yourselves and be surrounded by the beautiful Italian language and music, and enjoy the yummy Roman kitchen together. If you want some recommendations of restaurants and bars, click here.

Whether you want to fill your days with sightseeing, history and culture, shopping or eating your way through the city, Rome has it all. As Rome’s history is present everywhere in the entire city, you can’t avoid seeing some of the major sights and tourist attractions just by walking through the streets. With thousands of years of history, Rome has preserved this brilliantly by including the historic buildings and sights in the cityscape, building a modern city around the ancient parts of Rome. Walking from the originally pagan temple Pantheon to the Capitol Hill, you might just walk by the spot where Julius Caesar was (presumably) killed. If you look closely when you’re in the Colosseum, the large bronze cross marks the spot where the Roman Emperor would sit during the arena fights. Things like these make Rome such a magical place to visit, especially with your significant other.

 

When it comes to food, we have both had some of our best and worst food experiences in Rome. Sometimes you’re lucky, and you stumble upon a perfect little trattoria in a small back alley where the food is amazing and the atmosphere is romantic, and sometimes you have to find the first and (not) best place to sit down because the rain just showers down. There have been times where we have been sitting for hours at the perfect little back street cafe/bar, maybe with some beautiful live music, drinking aperitifs until we’re too drunk for dinner, and there have been times where we have been so fed up with all the rude tourists and street vendors, that we just go back to the hotel bar. Rome is such a city, where you don’t always win. But when you do, it makes you fall in love all over again.

Looking for some tips for how to spend your days in Amsterdam? This is the right place then!
After doing the obvious things people do when they get to Amsterdam the first time, I do hope you have the time and energy to visit some of the city’s great museums and attractions, as Amsterdam is so much more than coffeeshops and Red Light District.

Rijksmuseum
Located at the beautiful Museumplein, you have maybe Amsterdam’s biggest museum, the Rijksmuseum. With it’s vast collections of Dutch art and historic objects, it is one of the most comprehensive museums in the city. Plan to spend some hours here, and try to avoid peak hours in the middle of the day, as it gets crowded quickly, with both tourists, locals and school classes.
A must see is of course the grand “Night Watch” by Rembrandt, and be sure not to miss the two amazing dollhouses, that did once belong to a very lucky (and VERY spoiled) little girl. There’s a very nice cafe at the museum as well if you need a rest, and also several places around the Museum Square.

Couplepoints 7/10

https://www.rijksmuseum.nl

Madame Tussauds
Although there are some years since we visited the wax museum, I remember it as great fun. We went here with another couple, which might have made it more fun than if it only were us two.
You get a short and quite cool introduction to Amsterdam’s historical past before getting to the actual wax gallery, and I remember to have gotten a trip through a kind of horror gallery as well, although others who have visited lately tell me that this isn’t there now. We might have been a bit high though, but we both remember this quite vividly, as it scared the shit out of us.
There is a lot of tourists and kids here, so it’s not the most romantic museum to visit, although it’s a fun attraction, located right on the Dam Square.

Couplepoints 5/10

https://www.madametussauds.com/amsterdam/en/

De Kattenkabinet
Maybe one of the coolest, quirkiest and cattiest museums in Amsterdam, the Cat Cabinet is a must for cat lovers.
This is a unique opportunity to see the inside of a canal house on the Herengracht, as well as satisfying your needs for petting a cat or two. The owner of the house has made the house open to the public, as well as a vast collection of cat-related art and curiosities. Don’t be alarmed if you encounter a cat or two hanging around, watching the Aristocats movies or just enjoying life in this beautiful house, as they do live here.

Quoting from the museum’s website, “The Cat Cabinet was founded in commemoration of the ginger cat John Pierpont Morgan (1966-1983).” If you’re a cat person, you will appreciate and understand this declaration of love for one’s deceased feline friend. If you’re not that into cats, then you should probably stay away from this awesome museum, as it probably isn’t that into you either.

Couplepoints 9/10

www.kattenkabinet.nl

Het Grachtenhuis / The Canal House Museum
If you’re a history nerd like us, and want to learn a bit about Amsterdam as a city and its architecture, this is the museum for you. It is a tour through different interactive rooms where you get to know about Amsterdam’s development from a small settlement to the great city it is today. You also get a unique peek into some of the grand houses along the fanciest canals, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht. We were lucky enough to have the tour to ourselves, as you get grouped up in smaller groups in every tour, so this made the visit quite intimate and romantic.

Couplepoints 9/10

http://www.hetgrachtenhuis.nl/en/

Moco Museum 
Although the exhibited artists may vary, a visit to the Modern Contemporary Museum is a must just because of the beautiful house. Built in 1904, it’s one of the closest neighbours to Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum, and it used to be a private residence until 1939. Luckily, it is now being used to house the Moco Museum, where we were lucky enough to see the Banksy Laugh Now exhibition, as well as the Dali exhibit.
As it is located in this quirky old house, it does tend to get crammed at peak hours, so visit early or late for a more private experience.
There’s no cafe here, but there are several places around Museumplein to grab a bite or have a glass, and don’t forget to exit through the gift-shop 😉

Couplepoints 8/10

https://www.mocomuseum.com

Casa Rosso
If you want the full Red Light District experience without hiring a lady of the night, there are other options, like one of the many sex shows. Maybe the most famous (or infamous) one is Casa Rosso, where you get to see everything from live sex, strip tease and other performances. What kind of performances you say? Well, let’s just say that there are several ways you can eat a banana, or smoke a cigar.
The Casa Rosso has a quite decent bar, and it is fun for singles, couples and everyone who wants a night out in the Red Light District with a little extra. It’s maybe not the most romantic option for a night out, but come on! Live a little!

Couplepoints 4/10

http://www.casarosso.nl

Canal Cruises / The Light Festival
Amsterdam is famous for many things, and one of them are the beautiful canals, which spans over 50km (31 miles) and has given Amsterdam the nickname “The Venice of the North”.
The beautiful canals are perfect for romantic strolls, and even more romantic is perhaps a canal cruise.
Being offered all year round, I still recommend the Light Festival Canal Cruises, if you are so lucky as to visit Amsterdam in late November to January. It is really a special experience, to sit huddled together with something good and warm to drink, and watch the canals illuminated by the beautiful light art-works glide by. Sure, it’s maybe a bit touristy, but still a nice way to see Amsterdam from the water.
Speaking of the Light Festival, be sure to visit the Botanical Garden by night during the festival, it is really beautiful, and although I hate the over-usage of the word magical, it really is fitting to describe the atmosphere at the Botanical Gardens during this event.

Couplepoints 9/10

https://amsterdamlightfestival.com/en
http://www.rederijkooij.nl/en

Markets
Whether you’re looking for something delicious to eat, old books, vintage clothes or flowers, you can find all those things and more at one of the many outdoor markets in Amsterdam. Some of them are only open on specific days, and some are open more often.
The flower market (bloemenmarkt) is located in it’s own street, you’ll find it between Singel 600 to 630, and it is open pretty much every day.
For a great variety in merchandise, head to Waterlooplein Markt, which is open Monday to Saturday. Here you’ll find anything old, and also fresh produce and yummy food.
One of my favorites is the book market at the Spui, which is open Saturdays. Here you can find a lot of old books, mostly in Dutch or English, and also really cool prints and artworks.
At Nieuwmarkt you’ll find a great farmers market on Saturdays, and an antiques market on Sundays. During the warmer months you can usually find flea markets here on the weekdays aswell.

Christmas Markets
If you’re in Amsterdam in December, make sure to visit one of the Christmas markets around the city. If it is only to buy some Christmas ornaments, to have some yummy food or just drink some glüwein or beer, it is a really romantic thing that gives you a warm fuzzy feeling inside. You can find these spread all over town, but some to mention are the great Christmas tree at Dam square, the Ice Village at Museumplein, and the markets at Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein, to get your Christmas-juices flowing.

If you’re not in Amsterdam during Christmas time, but still want a seasonal treat, head on over to the Christmas Palace by the Bloemenmarkt (the Flower Market), which is offering Christmas all year around.

 

All the tips we have included in this post are places we’ve been to and things we’ve done, but there are always things to do in Amsterdam, that we haven’t been to yet. We always love to leave some places for our next visits, so even though we haven’t been to all of the “big ones” yet, we will.
Some of the museums and attractions we have been recommended to visit, but haven’t yet are:

The Anne Frank House
Heineken Experience
Van Gogh Museum
Old and New Church
The Stedelijk Museum
FOAM Photography museum
Museum of Prostitution – Red Lights Secrets
Museum van Loom

Hope some of our tips might inspire you to visit Amsterdam, and stay in touch for more updates!

Oh, hi there! So, you’re going to Amsterdam?! Sweet. Maybe you’re going because you’ve heard all about the liberal drug politics, and to be able to find a coffeeshop and get high on any streetcorner. Maybe you want to spend all your time illuminated by the red lights in the district inhabited by the ladies of the night.
Chances are you’re gonna do both these things. And hopefully, you will learn that Amsterdam is so much more than women for sale in crimson cubicles and legal weed. But I’m not gonna lie, it’s a part of the trip, as is all the great beer, the art and culture, the awesome food and the super-friendly Amsterdammers, just to mention a few things.

If it’s your first time in Amsterdam, then you might need a few friendly tips and pointers:

First things first; you wanna get high. This is most likely why you are going to Amsterdam, but it won’t be the reason that you will be returning to Amsterdam. There are coffeeshops all around town, and they all sell weed. If a cafe / restaurant / bar don’t have a sign saying coffeeshop or weed, then they don’t sell marijuana, and seriously, you don’t wanna be that guy who asks at a local bar if you can buy some weed. Really. If a place sells weed, they will make this very obvious, and they will advertise being a coffeeshop. If you can’t smell the sweet scent of Mary Jane, then it’s not a coffeeshop. Ask for the menu, and choose from a usually wide variety of marijuana, hash and pre-rolled joints.
Coffeeshops allow you to smoke (and eat) their products at their premises, just be aware that smoking normal tobacco is strictly forbidden in any indoor establishment. Most coffeeshops have their own herbal mix you can blend your weed with, just ask at the counter. Don’t blend it with regular tobacco if you want to smoke at the coffeeshop. Strange? Yes, maybe. Try to show some respect though, and only light up in places it is socially accepted. Don’t blaze in the middle of a crowded street. Be cool.
Usually, all coffeeshops also sell beverages, such as coffee, tea, juices and sometimes alcohol, so if you wanna stay for a while and chill, you can. Just don’t be a douche.
As long as you have soft drugs for your own use (usually 5g or less), then it is not illegal to be carrying this. Soft drugs include any type of marijuana and hallucinogens such as magic truffles, and can be bought legally in Amsterdam.
Don’t ever buy from street vendors!!!!! You risk being ripped off, and worse. Seriously, just don’t.
As for tips on which coffeeshops to visit, it’s difficult to say, since people have so different opinions on what kind of atmosphere they prefer. Tourists usually flock to one of the many famous Bulldogs in the city, these keep a very good selection, as well as great spacecakes. Someone prefer the small and dark coffeeshops that only play reggae or 70’s hippie music all day, and others like the more cool places, like the Original Dampkring and Barney’s Uptown, where in addition to great weed you can get food and really yummy hot chocolate, if suddenly and unexpectedly the munchies appear. Smartshops sell legal magic truffles as well as seeds and paraphernalia, so happy trippin’!

Part two; SEX. First time in the Red Light District? DON’T TAKE UP YOUR PHONE OR CAMERA!!! Photographing the girls (or boys) in the windows is strictly not okay. Chances are your phone or camera will end up on the bottom of a canal, and there’s really not much you can do about it. But by all means, use your built in camera as much as you want (also called your eyes). It’s free and it’s fun.The girls don’t mind being looked at, and they will knock on the glass if they want you to approach them. Just be aware that you are always under supervision. Be polite, always pay up front, and be clean and decent. Usually, the prices start at €50, so keep some cash at hand. If you see some blue lights, these usually represent trans women. Just so you know. The Red Light District (also locally known as De Wallen or just the old side) is full of peep shows, red lights and sex shops. Don’t be coy or awkward about this, as this is a completely natural part of Amsterdam. Wanna buy a 12 inch / 30 cm dildo and some waterbased lube? No problem! If you think it’s awkward, then the shopkeeper will think it’s awkward. If you’re cool, they’re cool. Easy as cream pie. Red Light is also known for its great nightlife, and it is a surprisingly safe part of the city, as long as you stay in the main streets.

“Aah, you went to Amsterdam? Smoked some weed, huh? Went to the Red Light District, eeeeeh?” Those are the two things everyone will ask you when you mention Amsterdam, but hopefully, you’ll fall in love with all the other, even more awesome things about this amazing city.

Fancy a romantic stroll along the beautiful canals, people watching on one of the many squares, shopping at the cool out-door markets or in the Negen Stratjes, or just enjoing all the great food and drink that are available pretty much everywhere? Amsterdam is such a romantic city, whether you go there for Christmas, spring time, autumn or summertime. You will always find a cozy cafe to relax and have some drinks at, there’s always a great restaurant nearby with an intimate atmosphere and delicious food, and there are so many great things to do as a couple, you won’t have time for them all in one visit.
If you want some more tips on things to do in Amsterdam like museums and attractions, click here.

One of the things we love about Amsterdam, is that you’re never far away from a good place to sit down and relax, and to have a glass or two (or ten) of something yummy. Known for it’s many breweries such as Heineken and Amstel, Amsterdam is mostly a beer city. The Dutch are also proud of their Genever and Bols, but it is always possible to get a good glass wine for those of you who don’t like beer. Most bars also serve yummy snacks and sometimes food aswell, and if you get hungry but don’t want to sit down somewhere, there are plenty of food stalls scattered across the city. These sell everything from fresh haaring (herring), hot dogs, french fries and stroopwafels, to mention some, and they are always available, no matter time of day or weather. Want some tips to some good restaurants and bars? Click here.

When people ask us “why do you love Amsterdam so much?”, we usually tell them to go there and find out for themselves. If they go there, and still ask us, then we tell them to fuck off. If you go to Amsterdam and still don’t know what there is to love about a beautiful, green city, happy and friendly Amsterdammers, good food and beer, culture, architecture, music, history, bikes and dogs and cats, well, then you just won’t get it. And for you who get it, and fall in love with the city, you’re welcome. Enjoy!