In the latest Travel Hot Take , Maria Astardjieva reveals why you should skip Amsterdam and head to the Netherlands ’ second city instead.

Visiting Amsterdam for the first time on a cold February weekend right after Covid , I was ready for a quintessential Dutch adventure: Van Gogh , coffee shops, and canals, the whole lot.

But besides a lovely boat tour of the city’s labyrinthine canals, I must admit that I was quite disappointed.

There was a hairy spin on a rental bike (locals can spot a tourist on wheels from miles away, and they, rather understandably, do not have time for us); the mildly disturbing Red Light district; the swarms of stag-doers and legal high chasers.

And with no intention of dabbling, I counted my losses, snapped a few pics and went back to my hotel.

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