Amsterdam Local Gems Tour: Enjoy Life Like A Local Right Away

Hello hello, my name is Ivar. By trade, I’m a writer, researcher, and filmmaker. My work as a researcher for a crime drama series (WIP) has taken me deep into Amsterdam’s past, from its countercultural heyday in the ‘60s and ‘70s to the rise of its underworld up until the ‘90s. I’ve spent time interviewing old hippies, former police officers, some legendary criminals and longtime locals to piece together a perspective on Amsterdam that most visitors never hear. While Amsterdam is where I call home now, I have roots in Rotterdam where my father's side of the family comes from and where I did my university studies. Both cities I know intimately. As you'll find out, I'm not so shy. I love meeting people, exchanging stories, and sharing insights that shift perspectives. If I'm not in the Netherlands, I'm usually off exploring places like Mexico, The Philippines, Georgia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Ghana and even Transnistria -- to name a few. I know that the best experiences happen away from the usual tourist spots. The most rewarding moments come from seeing a place through the eyes of someone who truly knows it and doesn't sugarcoat it. That’s the kind of tour I aim to offer. Not just facts, but the full story: the good, the bad, and the unexpected. If you’re looking for a local who can give you a real sense of what life is like in the Netherlands, I’d love to show you around and bring you to the spots you would probably find so quickly. I'm a photographer too, so I'll bring my camera along the tour and snap some pics for you, which I'll be happy to share. My style of tours is flexible. Want to stop to shop? Be my guest. Fancy a drink? I'll toast to that. Feel like taking a break and enjoying some music? The pleasure is all mine. Along the way, I'm sure I can give you a whole lot of fascinating information that'll change the way you see Amsterdam.