1.0Ayush Tours Jaipurhttps://ayushtoursjaipur.comadminhttps://ayushtoursjaipur.com/index.php/author/gotravelblue/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="bnK99ziaM3"><a href="https://ayushtoursjaipur.com/index.php/2020/01/23/the-netherlands/">The Netherlands</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://ayushtoursjaipur.com/index.php/2020/01/23/the-netherlands/embed/#?secret=bnK99ziaM3" width="600" height="338" title="“The Netherlands” — Ayush Tours Jaipur" data-secret="bnK99ziaM3" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(c,d){"use strict";var e=!1,o=!1;if(d.querySelector)if(c.addEventListener)e=!0;if(c.wp=c.wp||{},c.wp.receiveEmbedMessage);else if(c.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if(!t);else if(!(t.secret||t.message||t.value));else if(/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret));else{for(var r,s,a,i=d.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),n=d.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),l=0;l<n.length;l++)n[l].style.display="none";for(l=0;l<i.length;l++)if(r=i[l],e.source!==r.contentWindow);else{if(r.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message){if(1e3<(s=parseInt(t.value,10)))s=1e3;else if(~~s<200)s=200;r.height=s}if("link"===t.message)if(s=d.createElement("a"),a=d.createElement("a"),s.href=r.getAttribute("src"),a.href=t.value,!o.test(a.protocol));else if(a.host===s.host)if(d.activeElement===r)c.top.location.href=t.value}}},e)c.addEventListener("message",c.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),d.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",t,!1),c.addEventListener("load",t,!1);function t(){if(o);else{o=!0;for(var e,t,r,s=-1!==navigator.appVersion.indexOf("MSIE 10"),a=!!navigator.userAgent.match(/Trident.*rv:11\./),i=d.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),n=0;n<i.length;n++){if(!(r=(t=i[n]).getAttribute("data-secret")))r=Math.random().toString(36).substr(2,10),t.src+="#?secret="+r,t.setAttribute("data-secret",r);if(s||a)(e=t.cloneNode(!0)).removeAttribute("security"),t.parentNode.replaceChild(e,t);t.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:r},"*")}}}}(window,document); </script> https://ayushtoursjaipur.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Netherlands-2.jpg1500600A Guide to Responsible Travel in Amsterdam. As someone who lived and worked in Amsterdam for nearly seven years, it seems ironic that the first time I write about sustainable travel in Amsterdam – or about Amsterdam at all for that matter – is after I have left. Despite having left the city, Amsterdam holds a very dear place in my heart. When it comes to sustainability, or green travel, there are fewer countries that it seems to come more naturally to than the Netherlands. Speaking of green travel – if you’re looking for tips on where to find the best “green” in Amsterdam, this is not that sort of post. You’ll have to go elsewhere for “coffee” shop recommendations! (Side confession: during my seven years of living in Amsterdam, I never entered a coffee shop). But I digress… Misty mornings in Amsterdam. Why the need for Sustainable Travel in Amsterdam? I’m not the only one to have fallen for Amsterdam’s charms. With a population of only 821,000, Amsterdam receives in excess of 14 million tourists each year – not including day-trippers. That’s a number that is estimated to be growing at 5% each year, meaning 23 million visitors. Amsterdam hasn’t quite got to the point of Venice or Barcelona, where tourists are being told to “go home”, but arguably, it’s not that far off. As in other cities in Europe that receive such a large number of visitors compared to their relatively small populations, tensions have been emerging. Tellingly, the tourist board of Amsterdam sees its role as to manage tourism, and the relations between tourists and Amsterdam residents, as opposed to promoting tourism. Measures are being taken to encourage the “right” kind of tourism – such as longer trips, visitors who are interested in Amsterdam’s culture (as opposed to merely its beer), and to spread tourism around the city as opposed to a few hotspots in the centre. Given the numbers, is it responsible to travel to Amsterdam? I believe so. The possibilities to support sustainable and responsible tourism in Amsterdam are there, it all begins with planning ahead and supporting initiatives that are focused on being sustainable. Such as the ones listed in this post! When Amsterdam’s canals freeze! (From 2012) Travelling to Amsterdam: Getting There. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is one of the best connected and efficient airports in the world, and is served by most airlines. However, if you’re travelling from within Europe, chances are it’s probably as easy (not to mention greener) to reach Amsterdam by train or road. Amsterdam’s Central Station is connected with direct rail services to Brussels, Paris, Koln, Berlin, Dusseldorf (and many other German cities). As of 2018, Amsterdam will also be directly connected to London by train with Eurostar services – at the moment you can travel to Amsterdam by train from London but you’ll need to change in Brussels. The direct link to London will provide a more time efficient, cost efficient and environmentally friendly way of reaching Amsterdam from the UK (I wish this had been done 7 years ago!) Amsterdam’s famous windmill – the Brouwerij t’ii – which is open as a brewery. How to find Eco Hotels in Amsterdam. There are some amazing options for eco friendly hotels in Amsterdam. From budget to luxurious you’re bound to find something that suits your taste/budget as well as being environmentally friendly and socially responsible. Hotel vs Airbnb? There’s no denying that hotels (and even hostels) are expensive in Amsterdam. Visit between March and October and you’ll want to book as far out as possible to get a (semi-decent) deal. Airbnb is a contentious subject in Amsterdam. Like in other cities such as Barcelona, Airbnb has come under criticism from the city and from local residents for causing a breakdown in neighbourhood community (through so many apartments being only rented out to tourists), and also for forcing up property prices. If you’re an Airbnb fan I recommend going for a hosted Airbnb option which can be a great way to meet locals who are usually happy to share their favourite spots in the city with you! Best for Budget: The Generator Hostel Set in the grounds of the Oosterpark (East park) in an old laboratory, the  is definitely designed with the flash-packer (or hipster) in mind. The public areas are lovely, including views from the cafe terrace out over the park. The cafe serves good hearty food including plenty of vegetarian / vegan options. Rooms are either mini – dorms (4 per room) or private rooms. When I stayed the rates were as high as 50 euros per night for dorm bed in a mixed room of four, which is pretty steep, even for Amsterdam. On the responsibility front, Generator is all about embracing the local area and helping travellers discover the east of Amsterdam (somewhere the masses do not reach). Hotel QBIC Loved these organic products and their message at the QBIC hotel. I recently stayed at QBIC’s award winning hotel in London and was seriously impressed.  is a little more off the beaten track – near the world trade centre (wtc) in South Amsterdam. But the location means better prices, fewer tourists, is still within easy reach of the city centre, and is minutes walk from Amsterdam Zuid (south) train station. Rooms are economical, eco friendly, and even have environmentally friendly reminders to turn the efficient rain shower off while you shampoo your hair with their organic products. Best for Central Locations: A “sir standard” room at  in Amsterdam East. Image c. Volkshotel / Mark Groeneveld Conscious Hotels With three locations across the city, Conscious Hotels are… as environmentally and socially conscious as they come. is perfect for being in the middle of it all, while is at the southern end of Amsterdam’s largest park – close to lots of yummy eateries and green space. I stayed at the Vondelpark hotel last year and loved their comfortable, relaxed rooms. The newest Conscious Hotel, comes complete with solar panels on the roof, an eco friendly […]