Those Amsterdames

Ever wondered what happens if you cycle just 20 minutes out of Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is brilliant, but there’s a whole other side of the Netherlands waiting just beyond the city.

Want to see it for yourself? Book a countryside e-bike tour with Those Amsterdames and escape Amsterdam for a few hours.

When you think of the Netherlands, you probably picture bicycles rather than motorbikes. But a century ago, motorbike racing was already drawing a crowd.

This fascinating footage from 1922 gives us a glimpse of a very different Dutch sporting event, with spectators turning out to watch the races.

The Netherlands has changed a lot since then, but the Dutch enthusiasm for two wheels clearly goes back a long way.

Visiting Amsterdam and want to experience the Netherlands on two wheels yourself? Book a countryside e-bike tour with Those Amsterdames and escape the city for a few hours.

Footage credit: Polygoon-Profilti (producer) / Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision (curator).

Part 7 of our series answering the most commonly asked questions about visiting Amsterdam: How do you get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam?

One of the first things visitors need to figure out after landing is how to actually get into the city.

For most people, the train is the easiest option. Schiphol Airport station is directly underneath the airport, with regular trains running to Amsterdam Central. You can buy a ticket from the machines or tap in and out using your contactless bank card or phone.

The Airport Express bus is another option, especially if you’re staying near Museumplein or Leidseplein. Taxis are available outside the terminal if you have lots of luggage or simply want to go straight to your accommodation.

And once you’ve got yourself settled in Amsterdam, remember there’s plenty more of the Netherlands waiting just beyond the city.

Book a countryside e-bike tour with Those Amsterdames and swap the busy streets for Dutch fields, waterways and fresh air.

Well... they can certainly be direct.

Dutch people don’t tend to wrap things in quite as much politeness as you might be used to, which can make a perfectly normal Dutch conversation sound surprisingly abrupt to an American visitor.

But ask a Dutch person about the Netherlands, and you’ll soon discover they have plenty to say. They’ll tell you where to go, what to eat, why their cycling infrastructure is brilliant and which part of the country you absolutely need to see.

Because beneath that directness is a genuine pride in their country. They love showing it off. So if a Dutch person sounds blunt, don’t immediately assume they’re being rude. You might just be experiencing Dutch directness.

Want to see a side of Amsterdam tourists don't normally see? Book a countryside e-bike tour with Those Amsterdames and get out into the Dutch countryside.

We can see where this one comes from.

Amsterdam has a reputation as a city where the party never stops, so it's easy to assume you can wander into a shop, museum, café or restaurant at absolutely any hour.

But Amsterdam is not actually open 24/7.

Opening hours vary considerably depending on the type of business, and many places close in the evening or have reduced hours on Sundays and public holidays. Even restaurants and bars that stay open late don't necessarily operate around the clock.

The city does have plenty going on at night, but that doesn't mean everything is available whenever you want it.

This is particularly worth remembering if you're planning a trip. Check the opening hours of the places you really want to visit before you arrive, especially if you're travelling on a Sunday or public holiday.

Amsterdam is a lively city, but it's also a city where people live, work and go home at the end of the day.

And if you're looking for something to do during the day, our guided countryside e-bike tours are a great way to escape the busy city and explore the villages, waterways and landscapes just outside Amsterdam.

Book at thoseamsterdames.com.

Ready to dig a little deeper than the usual Amsterdam itinerary?

This time we're taking you to Rembrandtpark, Gaasperplas, up the Oude Kerk Tower, and out to Muiderslot Castle.

From green spaces and swimming spots to incredible views and a fairytale castle just outside the city, these are the kinds of places that can give you a very different experience of Amsterdam.

Save this for your next trip and see how many you can fit into your itinerary.

And if you want to explore even further beyond the city, join one of our guided countryside e-bike tours and discover the villages, waterways and landscapes of the Dutch countryside.

Book at thoseamsterdames.com.

A throwback to a visit to Kasteel de Haar in 1920.

Today it's one of the Netherlands' most spectacular castles, but seeing it on film over a century ago feels like stepping into another world.

With its towers, moats, gardens and fairytale appearance, it's easy to see why Kasteel de Haar remains one of the country's most popular historic landmarks.

Love discovering hidden stories and moments from Dutch history? Follow along for more throwbacks.

And if you're visiting the Netherlands, join one of our guided countryside e-bike tours to discover the villages, waterways and history beyond Amsterdam.

Book at thoseamsterdames.com.

Credit: Polygoon-Profilti (producent) / Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid (beheerder)