10 ways to soak in the essence of Amsterdam

Amsterdam


Amsterdam will surprise you in so many ways. From it’s rich history to unique coffee shops to its picturesque countryside, it will delight every nature lover, history buff or a party animal.

 

The city is bursting with art and history. Visit the Van Gogh museum and Rijksmuseum to appreciate the famous Dutch masterpieces. The Anne Frank house, is a must to experience how little Anne and her family lived through World War II. We suggest you to read the Diary of Anne Frank before visiting the museum to feel the emotions and relate to the life that the Frank family lived in hiding.

 

One of the best ways to explore Amsterdam is through bike or foot. Hop on a candy colored bike and wander around the charming canals admiring the chocolate box houses snuck up against each other. What makes these houses so special is their unique combination of slender profile, grand gables and architectural quirkiness that you simply can not find anywhere else in the world. Houses in Amsterdam were built narrow to avoid taxation from the Dutch Authorities that taxed based on the width of the houses in the 16th century … Don’t forget to notice little alleyways and gardens behind them that makes them all the more romantic.

 

Another way to explore the city is through water. Take one of the water taxis or rent a boat and laze around while winding through the graceful waterways.

 

Amsterdam is beautiful in every season. During Spring/Summer, the whole city blooms with tulips of every colour. The city is full of tourists and locals enjoying the sunshine in local café’s and restaurants by the canals that are lined with flowers of every shape and size. You can also take a picnic to Vondelpark or a day trip to the dutch countryside to admire the windmills and wooden clog making.

 

During Christmas, the entire city is lit up and you will find market stalls selling traditional dutch sweets such as Oliebollen (fried balls of sweet dough)  in Dam Square for anyone craving a winter warmer during the cold nights.

 

Food in Amsterdam is to die for. Start your day with some Stroopwafels or pannekoeken topped with fresh strawberries and powdered sugar. Feast on some Rijstafel (Indonesian cuisine) and make sure you try everything on the table at least once  or try some hot ramen or rich Indian, if your taste buds are looking for something else.  We recommend you to keep this list handy, if you are visiting a lot of coffee shops hehe..

 

Wander through the Red light district, reach new highs with your friends in its legendary coffee shops and buy some blue Delft pottery as souvenirs

 

So go ahead and book that ticket, explore the history and fall in love with Amsterdam’s charm and if you are lucky , you might also witness someone nudging a car in to the canal to take that parking spot…

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Must do list:

1. Art scene and History – Van Gogh Museum/ Rijksmuseum / Amsterdam Museum/ Anne Frank House or arty locales of the Jordaan, Pijp. Take a photo at I am Amsterdam at Rijksmuseum

2. Royal Palace, National monument and shopping at Magna Plaza in Dam Square

3. Practice your bargaining skills at open air flower market, Bloemenmarkt to buy tulip bulbs

4. Take a picnic and chill out at Vondelpark

5. Rent a Bike and cycle through Noord, Jordaan or along the canals or take a boat tour

6. Food – Oliebollen , Stroopwafels, pannejoeken, poffertjes – Pancakes!Amsterdam or Pancake Bakery (Be there early to avoid long queues). Feast on Rijstafel (Indonesian food)  at  Blauw or Tempo Doeloe

7. Coffee shops – Abraxas, Hulp, Barney’s or visit the award wining brewery – Brouwerij’it IJ for a pint of local beer

8. Walk around Red Light District

9. Souvenirs – Buy clogs at Dam Square Souvenirs , Delftware – Kramer Kunst & Antiek

10. Take a day trip to scenic dutch countryside – windmills, cheese tasting and wooden clog making at Zaanse Schans, fishing villages of Marken and Volendam

Amsterdam Bikes

Amsterdam Bikes

Amsterdam Tulips

Amsterdam Tulips

Amsterdam Bikes

Amsterdam Bikes

Amsterdam Bikes

Amsterdam Bikes

Westerkerk Amsterdam

Westerkerk Amsterdam

Amsterdam Canals

Amsterdam Canals

Amsterdam Canals

Amsterdam Canals

Amsterdam Bikes

Amsterdam Bikes

Amsterdam Canals

Amsterdam Canals

Amsterdam houses

Amsterdam houses

Amsterdam Bikes

Amsterdam Bikes

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

August 24, 2017