Why has it taken me so long to visit Amsterdam? It's been on my travel wish list from.........well, from when I first made a list and yet I have only just got around to ticking her off my list. Crazy really when you think it takes less than an hour to fly to The Dam and flights can be found super cheap through easyjet.
We arrived on our very early flight at around 8.30am (Dam time) and as we were not able to check into our hotel until around 10 we headed for breakfast. I came across a recommendation on Wish Wish Wish's blog about a little place called Paper Planes which is really central and serves up egg and soldiers for breakfast. Reading that was just the temptation I needed to pay a visit. This place is great and has a real contemporary yet homely rustic feel to it. It seemed to be a place where locals drank their morning coffee and caught up on emails. For us it was the perfect pit stop to fuel our bellies and get a caffeine kick in order to tackle a full day of exploring.
With a full stomach we walked over to our hotel which was situated right next to the Vondelpark. We stayed at the Hotel Filosoof during our trip and fans of 'The Fault in our Stars' will know this as the hotel from the book. The hotel was great and the staff were incredibly friendly. The hotel is a little further out then the main city hotels, but if you are prepared to walk or cycle during your trip then it's a great little spot to stay.
On Day One, after dumping our cases, we set off to find the famous I AM AMSTERDAM sign. The sign is right behind the Rijksmusuem and was pretty busy with everyone scrambling to take the iconic photo. Eventually I managed to hoist myself up on to the letter S as I wanted a S for Saint (my surname). I will admit I did not look in any shape or form graceful as I clambered up and back down, but hey at least I got the shot.
Whilst in Amsterdam there is always something that catches your eye wherever you look. Whether it be colourful street art, a spotty moped or humongous amounts of cheese.
A great little spot we found on the first day and perfect for a pit stop pint was the Sluyswacht, which is a pub that is wonky and looks like it is leaning to the right. This place is over 300 years old and is a real afternoon sun trap. The great thing about Amsterdam is that they serve up bowls of cheese chunks to go with your drinks. This is definitely a tradition I think we should adopt in the UK. Move over olives and nuts and hello bowls of cheese!!
No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a walk through the Red Light District. Whether you are there to just peruse or participate, it really is a place that has to be seen to be believed. With the occupants of the red light booths knocking on their windows, to the smells coming from the coffee shops this place really takes it up a knotch after dark. I won't delve too much further but just be sure to take a walk if you ever in the area.
Stay tuned for more Amsterdam themed posts in the next few days.
Thanks for reading, back soon.
Nic x
No comments:
Post a Comment