Amsterdam bicycle survival guide

You have already arranged your trip to Amsterdam, you have bought the plane tickets, you have booked your Amsterdam apartment and now that you have arrived in the capital of the Netherlands, may be you are wondering where to start from. Most probably you will want to try to rent a bike here, especially when you see all these people on bikes in Amsterdam city and the large bike paths throughout. The locals go everywhere on their bikes and find this normal and standard practice. They often attach wagons and often carry their kids with them. At the same time they speak on their cell phones and are often careless of the red lights.inflatable water slide

The city of Amsterdam features many bike rental shops, since renting a bike is quite popular with the tourists these days and besides that, it is quite cheap. The bike should not be an option for Amsterdam though, when you have no or little experience on a bike and do not feel secure, since Amsterdam is a very busy city. Of course, one should look out for cars and trams, pedestrians and scooters, as well as other cyclist on the road.

This photo of Mike’s Bike Tours & Rentals

The bike that can be rented could be bright red or yellow, orange and blue and this is not out of fashion reasons. This is to let the locals know whether you are a tourist or not and to avoid you. The city of Amsterdam is flat, so a geared bicycle is not required. Wearing a helmet is not obligatory too, but it could be a good idea to prevent injuries in case of accidents.

This photo of Mike’s Bike Tours & Rentals

It is highly advisable to make a pre-ride check before you hit the streets of Amsterdam. The tires need to be pumped up; the saddle height should be convenient – not too low and not too high. And of course, there should be a lock, since theft of bicycles is very common here. The city has many bike lanes and they should be used. The car lanes are dangerous and are not the place for bikes. The bike lanes are easy to recognize as they have signs on both lanes and on poles. Most of the bike lanes are colored in red and have drawn bikes on them. It is important to check the bike lane to the left, as there might be a biker riding at a higher speed. The same is valid when you want to change direction, or when you want to pass a slower bicyclist and when you want to cross the street. One should also watch out for scooters as they could be quite dangerous. The tram lines are quite dangerous, so watch out for them too. Another important thing to be mentioned is not to use your self-phone while riding a bike. The bike could be best controlled with two hands.

By going on a ride bike, the tourist could enjoy the lovely architecture of the town, the cozy cafes and the flower shops. This shall be possible only if you ride your bike in a safe way.jumping castles for sale

A post by Aleit Smith who also writes about apartments in Prague and London apartments.

Hidden attractions in Barcelona

Cosmopolitan and busy, the city of Barcelona is among the top holiday destinations in Europe and is a place that has everything to keep the traveler busy and satisfied. Thus, browse the internet to find one of the serviced Barcelona apartments ot apartments in Madrid that will best suit your needs and make a plan of the landmarks you want to see. If you have some more time in the capital of Catalonia region, remember the numerous hidden attractions that are there in Barcelona, waiting to be discovered.

If you happen to have more time on this trip, start with a walk along the Gothic neighborhood known as Barrio Gotico, which has central location. The place is great for a walk without a map and with no track of the time. There could be seen medieval buildings and many narrow streets arranged in a labyrinth way, which are closed for traffic. Among the landmarks that need to be seen here are the Santa Eulalia Cathedral, dedicated to the second patron saint of the city.

Another of the hidden gems in Barcelona is the neighborhood El Raval, which is placed in the district Ciutat Vella, which is placed next to the Gothic Quarter. This area is famous with its artists, the trendy bars and the fine restaurants. The night clubs here are very popular as well. The landmarks that have to be seen in El Raval district is the statue El Gat of the Colombian sculptor Fernando Botero, while the other hidden attraction here is the market La Boqueria. This actually is among the best markets in Europe, where one can find fresh fish, various seafood and many fine vegetables and fruits. Travelers should know however, that they have to keep their belongings close, since there might be pickpockets around.

The other place from the so called hidden attractions is the neighborhood Ciutat Vella and its Barceloneta area, which is generally known for its beautiful sandy beaches. The place features also many pubs and restaurants, set along the boardwalk. The area is great for trying the local beverage Cava with some tapas, which are some very tasty sandwiches. Other nice hidden places in Barcelona are the Plaza del Pi, which is a small square with lovely outdoor cafes, and paintings by artists. Not far from here is the area Carrer Palla, famous with its many antique shops. In case that you love to drink tea, make sure to visit the Petrixol area where are placed some of the nicest teashops in the city.

Those who love to go where history was made, should have a coffee at the Café de la Opera, that dates back to year 1850 and is close to the famous La Rambla area. Not far from here is also the area Escudellers, which is famous for the high concentration of pottery shops and some hidden bars and wineries. zorb ball

This photo of Cafe de L’Opera

If you a looking a where to go on your next vacation you should consider Italy where you can stay in a Rome apartment