PalenQ: Amsterdam _is_ doing away with it, in the Dutch manner: by ever tightening regulation, buying up property that becomes available, re-letting it to independent retailers. Far fewer sex workers can be found in the area and tax regulation for the industry has reduced the number even further.

But in their place the myth of the RLD is marketed by outfits that cater especially to the stag parties etc. Of course, places like Casa Rosso still exist, but they're on the way out. It's not the kind of tourism the city of Amsterdam wants to be associated with and there is a huge debate on regulation for the entire area.

Plus, it's not as though a trip to Amsterdam is a waste of time without a visit to the RLD or a coffee shop. You can get cheap thrills all over the world, if that's what you want. Not how I like to spend my travel dollars and hours.

Daytrip Zanse Schans Windmills>

Before going see what some locals think about it:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m#last-comment

Is there anything you feel I left out or is this too ambitious to start with? Thanks.>

Not too ambitious at all - one of my favorite things to do is to take the free pedestrian/bike ferries from behind Centraal (train) Station across the harbor to see Amsterdam's historic waterfront from across the water and the busy harbor itself.

Across the IJ there now are the EYE film institute in a spectacularly formed building and the former Overhoeks tower that is now a creative hub and has a restaurant/hang out/bar on the top floor.

Yes was going to mention that but never went there and could not think of name - the view from the top I guess must be awesome!

They've got swings on the roof that will put you right over the edge. Exhilarating and scary

https://www.google.com/search?q=EYE+...w=1745&bih=864

Shoosh - let's hope the Chinese don't hear about this place!

That is the old Shell company world HQs - the tall building now part of the EYE over Amsterdam?

No, EYE is the film institute and archives that used to be in the Vondelpark Pavillion, Overhoek was indeed a Shell building (not its headquarters, that used to be in The Hague and London) but a major laboratory and offices, part of its R&D I believe. It was bought to be a creative hub, when the city gov was still captivated by Richard Florida's urban planning notions. They are now starting to regret this, and are looking for the Brexit fallout crumbs: financial institutions that are leaving London for the continent and are seeking a deregulated tax haven to set up shop. For foreign companies, The Netherlands is indeed such a tax haven.