By Elizabeth Hewitt | July tenth, 2023
Attending the Alzheimer’s Affiliation Worldwide Convention 2023 subsequent week? You may need to take a look at this Netherlands-based journalist’s brain-health-forward information to exploring Amsterdam between AAIC occasions.
The week of July 17, scientists, clinicians, and care consultants from around the globe will collect in Amsterdam for the Alzheimer’s Affiliation Worldwide Convention. Amsterdam presents a stimulating backdrop for this assembly of world dementia science and care leaders. Full of artwork, historical past, numerous flavors, bustling canals and picturesque bridges, town presents a lot to absorb — even in brief stretches between periods.
Amsterdam RAI, the place the convention shall be held, is simply 10 minutes by metro to Dam Sq., the center of the long-lasting canal ring. Trams are additionally a straightforward possibility for navigating town. Exploring by foot is certainly one of Amsterdam’s joys; a superb pair of strolling footwear and a way of journey can take you fairly far.
If you’re sneaking out for a mid-day break or nonetheless have some vitality after a full day at this 12 months’s AAIC convention, we’ve acquired some concepts for what to do past the conference heart. What are you within the temper for?
… to walk from AAIC for a wholesome meal
Amsterdam’s eating scene presents one thing for each whim. Plant-forward and vegetarian-friendly choices are typically frequent throughout Dutch eating places — and that’s excellent news for mind well being.
De Pijp, a neighborhood a few 20-minute stroll north from the AAIC convention heart, teems with cuisines from around the globe.
Feast on Korean fried hen at Soju Bar, “vegan soul meals” at Mooshka, or strive Dèsa — simply certainly one of many glorious Indonesian eating places in Amsterdam. Significantly enjoyable with a bunch is a rijsttafel, or rice desk: a collection of small parts of many alternative dishes, providing an opportunity to strive every thing.
Or, whereas making your means via the charming Jordaan and 9 Streets neighborhoods on the west of Amsterdam’s heart, pause at one of many space’s myriad eating places: Snag an outdoor seat at Raïnaraï, on Prinsengracht, for veggie-packed Algerian delicacies. Or head to Moeders, a restaurant celebrating moms with filling Dutch home-style staples like stamppot, potatoes mashed with greens and typically sausage.
… to get your blood pumping and discover by foot or fiets
An excessive amount of time sitting in a convention room chair? Discover a break to work out your physique — and enhance your mind — whereas exploring town. Strolling and exercising yield many mind well being advantages.
Get outdoors and take an extended stroll and study native tradition with an audio tour. Journey guru Rick Steves presents three strolling excursions via totally different elements of Amsterdam’s central streets and historical past, accessible at no cost on the Rick Steves Audio Europe app.
Or, be part of the locals to get across the metropolis by fiets (bike), the standard Dutch mode of transport. Amsterdam presents many bike rental choices, together with Black Bikes, which has a location a couple of blocks from RAI conference heart. Whereas bike infrastructure connects the whole heart, cyclists could take pleasure in an extended route via the (very flat) countryside. Be warned that Amsterdam biking may be hectic, particularly in busy areas and at rush hour.
To see Amsterdam from a distinct angle — and flex these arms and decrease again muscle mass — paddle alongside town’s many canals. Kayaks and paddleboards can be found for lease from Kayak & SUP Amsterdam on the Amstel River.
… to attach with colleagues over a espresso or beer
Join with colleagues and mull over the day’s convention highlights over a beverage. In any case, social engagement, analysis finds, is good to your mind.
Bruin Cafés (brown bars) are traditional Dutch settings for an extended chat over an area brew, espresso, or soda, and a snack of Dutch cheese or bitterballen (fried balls full of gravy). These cozy watering holes abound in Amsterdam. Close to the Rijksmuseum, Café de Wetering is a multi-leveled seventeenth century hole-in-the-wall. Café de Sluyswacht, in a crooked 1695 lock home on the japanese aspect of town heart, has outside tables wanting over the canal.
Up for a beer however favor to skip the booze? Alcoholvrij (alcohol-free) beers are frequent on Dutch menus.
For a distinct perspective on town, head throughout the IJ River on the free ferry from Amsterdam Central Station. Take within the river site visitors from a perch at one of many many cafes and eating places, or head to the highest of the A’DAM tower for a espresso and cake with a view.
… to absorb some nature in locals’ favourite inexperienced areas
Amsterdam could be the Netherlands’ largest metropolis, however the city heart presents loads of choices for contemporary air and a nature repair. Spending time in inexperienced areas is related to higher mind well being.
Beatrixpark, simply east of RAI Amsterdam, is handy for a noon convention break. Enterprise additional afield to Amstelpark, a bigger inexperienced space a few 20 minute stroll away, or Amsterdamse Bos, a nature space three-times the scale of Central Park on the outskirts of town the place you may get a style of the Dutch countryside.
Plant lovers could favor to go towards town heart. The Hortus Botanicus, based in 1638 to provide Amsterdam physicians with medicinal herbs, now boasts a group of greater than 6,000 timber and crops, in addition to a butterfly home. It often closes at 5 p.m., however stays open till 9 p.m. each Thursday and Sunday throughout the summer season.
… to discover a quiet place and de-stress
Feeling overwhelmed? Keep in mind: Stress impacts your mind — and your reminiscence. Escape a quiet second within the metropolis heart within the Begijnhof, an unlikely courtyard, set again off a busy pedestrian road via a stone archway. Relationship to the 1300s as house for a neighborhood of service-oriented Christian ladies, the small nook is a quiet house in the course of the busy metropolis heart. Two historic church buildings are open to guests.
If creativity is an outlet, take inspiration from the Rijksmuseum masterpieces and be part of a each day plein air session, or paint Delft blue tile.
… to study one thing new in Amsterdam’s artwork museums and libraries
Enhance your cognitive reserve and study one thing new in Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter, a few half hour stroll from the convention heart, boasts blockbuster choices just like the Van Gogh Museum — with the world’s largest assortment of works by the Dutch impressionist — and the Rijksmuseum — which, amongst its many numerous galleries, shows Rembrandt’s Evening Watch. Visiting slots e-book up, so purchase a ticket on-line prematurely.
Throughout city, the Rembrandt Home Museum delves into the working strategy of Holland’s well-known Golden Age painter and presents a glimpse of life in an Amsterdam canal home within the seventeenth century.
By ARTIS, a zoo and botanic backyard, study concerning the tiniest critters at Micropia, the world’s solely microbe museum.
Or decide up a e-book — studying commonly can enhance your mind well being. On the coated Oudehuismanspoort by the College of Amsterdam campus, stalls peddle multilingual second-hand books, prints, and textbooks.
On Fridays, bibliophiles decide via antiquarian books on the market on the Spui. Even on different days, the sq. is a superb spot for booklovers: the expansive American Ebook Heart presents a handy shelf to seize a Netherlands-focused learn, or browse worldwide magazines and newspapers on the Athenaeum Boekhandel.
Elizabeth Hewitt is an American freelance journalist primarily based within the Netherlands, overlaying getting older, well being, nature and tradition.
