My Favorite Way to See Amsterdam!

Yesterday I found my new favorite way to see Amsterdam. My sister and her husband are here visiting the the city for the first time, so a canal cruise is a must. Instead of opting for the "herd 'em in" cruises from the bigger outfits, this time I chose to book a ride on an old Dutch tuindersvlet or "garden flat," a boat originally used to carry vegetables and some animals between markets and farms in the Netherlands. The St. Nicolaas Boat Club is a non-profit group that restores these vessels and uses donations from patrons to keep the antiques afloat.

An Ameican-born, eight-year resident of Amsterdam named Ken captained our 80-year-old boat through some of the tiniest canals and under the lowest bridges in Amsterdam, where the big glass-top boats can't fit. Before we set sail, Ken had asked our group of 10 for sightseeing requests (I suggested the harbor and the quaint Reguliersgracht), as the ride is entirely open-ended and up for alteration at any moment. The laid-back vibe also means you're free to bring your own wine, beer, snacks and even marijuana if that's your thing.

The best part? Unlike the restored "saloon boats" that cost upwards of € 150 an hour, the St. Nicolaas Boat Club only asks for a € 10 donation per person for a ride of up to an hour and a half. And because the boat is open (dress warmly!), the views are unmatched. I don't think I'll ever take another commercial-line cruise again!

^{Pictured: Your Amsterdam for Visitors Guide Shannon McAllister (far right) toasts a real-feel boat ride through the watery city with her sister and brother-in-law
Photo © 2007 Shannon McAllister, licensed to About.com}