So, I took my first official trip to Amsterdam. It was everything I expected it to be and more. I found myself falling in love with the city's history and architecture. As I walked down streets older than my country, I could remember learning about the city's art history in my college days. It was truly amazing and breathtaking. It is, by far, the best city I've ever been to, and I've been all over the place.
The view down the street where out hotel was located. Please ignore my finger in the lower corner. I didn't mean it. Don't be angry
I'm basically here to give you some travel ideas based on my 72 hour trip. There is so much to do in Amsterdam. You will literally never be bored. I was overwhelmed trying to come up with a schedule because I wanted to do everything..
First of all, get yourself an I Amsterdam card. It's an all-inclusive card starting at 40 Euros for 24 hours and an additional 10 Euro for eveyr 24 hours after that. The card includes public transportation (a must), a canal cruise (beautiful and relaxing), 50 free attractions (including the zoo, Nemo Science Center, Van Gogh museum and the Amsterdam museum), free offers on various drinks and souvenirs, and 25% discounts on other attractions and restaurant. Totally worth it. The public transport alone would have cost us around 20 Euro a piece. You can buy them at any of the local train stations in the tourist center.
10/10 - you MUST get one!
For anyone who loves Impressionism, I would really suggest you go to the Van Gogh museum.
I loved being able to see some of my favorite artists, Monet, Van Gogh, and Toulouse-Lautrec. The museum offered interesting history to most of the paintings and drawings. I learned a lot about Van Gogh's life. What I wished they would have delved more into is just what happened to Van Gogh's mind toward the end of his life. They didn't even mention the infamous ear0cutting experience.
Also, since we went so close to the beginning og their innovation, the third floor was closed. I didn't get to see a lot of the paintings that I knew, but I did fall in love with new paintings, so in the end it wasn't too much of a loss.
7/10
After the museum, we decided to take a nice hour-long canal cruise. We went through the Holland International Cruise line.
This was so relaxing. After all the walking, it was nice to just sit and enjoy the sights. The loud speaker announcement were in Dutch, German, and English, so most people knew what was said. We went through the harbor. I really liked the harbor. The waves were a little more active, so it really felt like I was on a boat.
We also went through some of the newer canals, as well as some of the oldest. We went by some awesome-looking churches, the Anne Frank House, some crooked buildings, and so much more. It's hard to remember everything we saw. Sure, I have pictures, but I look at them and just think, "Oooooh pretty." I'm special.
I think this was either the first Protestant church in Amsterdam or one of the tallest churches. *shrugs*
8/10 - only because I couldn't see the other side of the canal easily from my seat.
I didn't take any pictures of dinner. We ate at some little place called Maria's. It was okay-ish food. I got a cheese pizza for around 6 Euro. Then cam the drinks... We both got a large Fanta orange soda. I got a large because in the Netherlands, places rarely, if ever, give refills. Well, when we got the bill, it turned out that our drinks were 10 Euro combined -- almost as much as both of our dinners. So, to this I say: always ask drink prices if they're not listed. Also, try to eat at places were there are more people walking about. This place was kind of off the path, and the food was very mediocre.
5/10
After much begging, I finally talked my boyfriend into going to the Red Light District. As an American, I had always heard of the infamous place nestled in Amsterdam's center. At first, I didn't think we were going the right way. Then Martijn looked down an alley, and the red lights we did see.
I recommend visiting the RLD after 9 or 10 pm on a Saturday night. I was overwhelmed by just how many people were walking the streets. There were youth hostels right next to the windows with the red lights above them, displaying all of Amsterdam's finest. There were many bars and many relatively cheap places to eat. Also, I found a hoodie for 15 Euro when the same hoodie was 30 Euro down the main strip of Amsterdam. So, if you're looking to save a few Euro and aren't offended by the girls in the windows, I'd suggest getting dinner and doing shopping in the RLD
It was as sketchy or racy as I had imagined, but it was very interesting. I am very happy that we walked those streets -- pot smelling or not -- it was an experience I will never ever forget.
9/10 -- only problem was seeing parents taking children through the RLD. It made me disappointed in the human race.
At the end of the night, after about 10 - 12 hours of walking, we finally made it back to our hotel.
Picture obviously taken earlier that day.
Our hotel was nice for the price. We paid around 140 Euro (man, I wish I remembered the ALT code for a Euro symbol) for two weekend nights. The rooms were small, but they were very clean. The staff is there 24/7 so you always have a look out. You had to buzz to go into the hotel, which made me fell a bit safer. They had a large breakfast and cable TV, offering channels in English as well. My only real complaint was that the bed was super soft. Good for laying around watch TV; bad for sleeping. We both had moderately sore necks the next morning.
7/10
Well, thus ends my first day in Amsterdam. We spent a lot of time walking and sight-seeing on our own. I took a lot of pictures of the amazing buildings. We didn't spend a lot of money on food or presents. I would also suggest doing what we did: finding a supermarket and getting snacks, drinks and some form of sandwich materials, so that you only have to basically buy dinner. It was an amazing first day. We got the hand of the tram system rather quickly.
Next time, I'll talk about our second day in the city. I'll also have a portion of tips found throughout my two posts.
Seriously, I love Amsterdam, though. I really and truly do.
xoxo
Sarah
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