To get out of the hustle of the city, my husband and I love to bike down to Amsterdam's Forest to see the goat farm, or picnic in the sun.  There are also little spots to swim :)

Owned by Thomas Gravemaker, this letterpress studio is something to see! You can book a class there, or purchase prints.  I personally print my own jobs here with a studio pass :)

Open Monday mornings and Saturdays all day, there's always something to find at this market.  Lots of vintage items, the most gorgeous florals, and fresh food for making an amazing dinner that night.

Located in the industrial area of the north resides this asian infused restaurant / bar. They offer a refined sharing menu, with a fine selection of natural wines and sakes. Accompanied by sweet tunes blasting out of their Japan inspired sound system. lights by nikki hock photo by Samira Kafala

In the ever growing conservative political scene in the Netherlands, the ADM is a reminder of the freedom and chaos that Amsterdam must have once been. It gives me my dose of dirty grittiness, something which is miss in this city in constant renovation and gentrification. Evolving around a main building on an industrial shipyard on the outskirts of town, it's an area where modern gypsies, anarchists, artists and free thinkers build their houses, park their caravans or dock their house boats. It's not entirely my scene, but I am happy to know that it's there. And they throw some amazing festivals!