Scholar-Led Model City Walking Tour

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Duration: 3h
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands | Amsterdam, Netherlands


Category: Tours & Sightseeing

Highlights:
Immersion into Amsterdam's open-minded urban scenes
Erotic trade & charming streets of the Red Light District
Discussion about the city's accepting attitude toward LGBT
Stories of squatting movement & social housing issues
Maximum group size of 6 people for a personal experience

Inclusions:
Guided walking tour of Amsterdam
Live tour commentary provided in English

Description:

An open-minded city with diverse social policies—from the Red Light District to squatting demonstrations—Amsterdam has gained a reputation as a self-styled Model City. On this tour, explore all that makes the city so easygoing and find out why it has international appeal.

As you wander the charming streets of the Netherlands' capital, this in-depth walking tour allows you to see the city's urban development and contemporary life. Learn why many cities aspire to follow in the footsteps of this progressive metropolis.

Your tour begins as you head to De Wallen, the infamous Red Light District. While you follow your guide through narrow alleys and side roads, pass brothels, sex shops, and museums. In addition to erotic establishments, the district also has charming old buildings and winding canals. With your expert guide, discuss the issues of acceptance of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) scene, as well as associated protests and criminal undersides.

Learn about the squatting movement and social housing during a visit to the center of Plantage Dok—the core of the powerful squatting movement in the late '90s. Then, cross the IJ waterfront to Amsterdam's reclaimed lands. Hear the city's urban renewal success story and how Dutch law strongly favored tenants, which led to many squatter properties—now redeveloped into thriving businesses.