03 November 2016

Lifestyle: I Love Amsterdam.

I like to travel and explore different places, visiting the same place for me is something I try not to do often. But certain places, well sometimes I feel you only touch the surface, and a revisit is a must - Amsterdam is one of them places.

I LOVE Amsterdam, I always feel safe when walking around the city, the city is laid back, beautiful and really easy to navigate around.

With cheap flights from lots of UK airports, it takes around an hour to fly there. There is a train station situated in Schipol Airport, and it is only a short 15 minute train journey direct into Amsterdam Centre. It is so cheap and accessible. (The Dutch folk are super friendly and helpful too, if you do get a little confused, and need any help with directions).


The architecture is so unique, the first thing that stands out are the beautiful, super tall, skinny buildings compact together, with lots of windows, lining the streets and canals. With 161 canals in the city, you more or less stumble onto one at every corner, and with trees, and bikes draped all over them - the sight is pretty picturesque.

Bikes, lets get onto BIKES, there are people riding them everywhere, from main roads to small side streets, keep listening for bike bells being rung behind you, and be ready to leap out of the way.
Or get mowed down, the choice is yours! Haha :o)

Walking and trams is the best way to travel around the city. A tuk-tuk is also a really funny way to travel around, some of the cyclists peddle so quickly, it is a guaranteed laugh.

There are so many food outlets, bars and shops, nestled within the city. You are spoilt for choice, the locals speak superb English, making everything that little bit easier. For me personally, of an evening I like to visit Leidseplein for a couple of hours. It is around an half-an-hour walk from the centre of Amsterdam. Away from the hustle and bustle, I say that, but it is still a really busy area - it is home to some beautiful restaurants, bars and architecture.

Amsterdam has an incredible day and night-life, with an array of tourists and residents enjoying meals and drinks around the clock, the atmosphere is electric, the city is always buzzing day-or-night.


Booking any trips before is a must, from the Anne Frank Museum, Van Gogh Museum, Heineken Brewery tour, to a Cruise down the canal, some queues can be as long as a 5 hour wait, so using a website like Viator is so much more efficient. The majority of the time it is tonnes cheaper too.

We booked the Heineken Brewery Tour and a Pizza Cruise, it was part of a package deal and cost around £40.

The Heineken Tour was lots of fun, and really interactive and interesting. It was also surrounded by lovely parks, shops and food outlets. The river cruise departed at 7pm, and it included a 90 minute cruise along the canals, pizza, ice-cream and drinks. It was relaxing and enjoyable. It was captivating to see the city from a different perspective. I would 100% recommend.


On a Saturday there is a lot of markets throughout the centre, and wondering through having a nose is a must. From new, to second hand goods, and fresh produce - an afternoon spent wondering around them is one well spent.


Oh and how could I forget, Amsterdam also has has the best chips ever, on every corner there is a chip cone shop, and you won't believe it until you try them. The queues can be as long as 30 people, but it is totally worth it - they are just delicious.

I also enjoyed the New York Film Academy Cafe. The decor was truly beautiful, and the bacon and eggs were top notch, it was the perfect way to start the morning, after a night-out on the tiles.


From all the above to the Red Light District, MuseumsCoffee Shops, and Dam Square there is so much to feast your eyes on, I would thoroughly recommend a visit, and personally I would re-visit again - in a heartbeat.

Have you ever been to Amsterdam?


                               
SHARE:

5 comments

  1. Amsterdam looks amazing! I really want to do a city break next year and this is a top contender for the destination! So much to see and do and every corner looks so picturesque! Ohhh I'm so tempted! Also a canal boat and pizza?! SOLD!

    Sarah :)
    Saloca in Wonderland

    ReplyDelete
  2. I haven't ever been to Amsterdam but it is on my wish list of places I want to visit, our youngest had planned a trip there with her friend over the summer but it didn't come off so she is desperate to go too so we have said we might do a family trip instead. I would love to go to the Anne Frank museum but struggling with my mobility I'm not sure I'd be able to do it, I can walk but use a crutch so that's something I need to look into but I would love to go. Your photographs are stunning, I'm so pleased you had a lovely time xxx

    Zoe ♥ MammafulZo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah that's a shame about your daughter. A family trip would be amazing, and you could just take it all at your own pace, the city is so busy, but the people are very laid-back. xx

      Delete
  3. I've never been to Amsterdam but it's definitely on my travel bucketlist! it looks like such a fun, quaint city! xxx

    ReplyDelete

Blogger templates by pipdig