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When in Amsterdam ...

Robin Esrock

Arriving in Amsterdam after a painfully long train journey from Germany, I encounter the usual dilemmas facing any traveller: Where do I go, what do I do and how do I escape the hordes of tourists to find an authentic local experience? Fortunately, I stumble on a service designed to answer these questions - perfect for anyone short on time but big on experience.

Like-a-Local was founded in Amsterdam by three friends who decided to connect jaded travellers with enthusiastic locals. Under guidelines 'Go', 'Eat' and 'Live', travellers can choose from more than 150 experiences that put them in touch with local people. I have just a few days in the city, so I decide to see what kind of Amsterdam Like-a-Local can show me.

I start at one of the city's most famous green areas, the Vondelpark, where I meet Jona. She arrives on a bicycle, dressed like a bohemian princess. Having worked in the theatre and grown up in the area, Jona isn't so much a guide as a new friend, and the mood is light as we eat lunch, take in some children's theatre and gaze at the expensive houses around the park.

Then it's time to meet my next local, Walter. A boating enthusiast, Walter built his own beautiful wooden craft to cruise the canals that have made Amsterdam famous. Flo, a young lifestyle journalist

who writes for food and music magazines, joins me on board. 'I love showing visitors the latest in Amsterdam,' she says, pointing out the hippest bars and clubs along the canals in the Jordaan district. We pass a cruise boat jammed with tourists and several people stare at me, no doubt wondering how I was lucky enough to find my own boat.

Walter is clearly proud of his vessel and when he's not taking friends out on the canals he volunteers for Like-a-Local. He drops us off at a typical 17th-century Amsterdam house. Many houses

in the city are built on wooden

stilts and are famous for tilting, sinking or 'dancing', as the locals say. The steep wooden stairs and unbalanced floors of the place are disorientating, but owner Hanneke says it feels natural after a while. Over a glass of chilled genever (Dutch gin), she tells me she originally wanted to open a bed and breakfast with her husband, but quickly realised that, with two young children, it simply wouldn't work. Like-a-Local lets her share her historic home and hospitality with tourists who don't normally have such an opportunity.

Like-a-Local has 180 volunteers in Amsterdam and plans to expand into 35 cities around the world. Travellers choose online the type of experience they're interested in, from walks in parks to home-cooked meals and staying aboard houseboats.

'The challenge is to keep the activities authentic,' says Like-a-Local co-founder Marieke van Os. 'If it becomes too popular, then it's no longer something a local would do.'

In one day I've had a real glimpse of Amsterdam through the eyes of some friendly natives. And best of all, every one of them knew exactly how to solve my traveller's dilemma.

Like-a-Local offers more than 150 activities in 12 metropolitan cities, including Madrid, Paris, Brussels and London. There's a Euro10-Euro15 (HK$108-HK$162) booking fee and a fee for each activity. Group reservations are available and locals are carefully selected by the firm.

For more information or to make a booking go to www.like-a-local.com

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