Beautiful and Vibrant
Amsterdam
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Beautiful & Vibrant
Amsterdam
Bike, Bikes, Bikes….
Amsterdam, such an amazing city, beautiful and vibrant and known for so many different traits. From the moment you step out of Centraal Station, you are immersed in a vibrant, busy city filled with museums and ornate buildings and surrounded by canals at every turn. Careful as you cross the street as it is bikes that have the right of way rather than cars and you have to be paying attention. Grab a seat at one of the many cafe’s and just watch the variety of bikes pass you by. Moms and Dads carrying their children or groceries. Seeing 2 or even 3 people on a single bike is not unusual and the bike garages at the train stations are truly a sight to see. Through all seasons, bikes are still the main form of transport
Aside from navigating the bikes, you will find Amsterdam is a very walkable city and if you have the stamina, you are able to see a lot in one day. We had a day and a half and we walked many miles and saw some incredible sights.
Flowers and Cheese…
We started with beauty and cheese. Holland is known for Tulips and they are breathtakingly beautiful. My first visit to Holland was prime tulip season and I found time to visit Keukenhof Gardens. It’s worth the taking the time for a side trip outside Amsterdam.
We ate a lot of cheese on our trip and my husband could always find the cheese stores, even when they were underground or down the smallest alley. I would always know we were near one because he would get excited, his eyes would widen and his pace would quicken. I love cheese but more drawn towards the beauty of the tulips.
A city of canals…
If you like water, you are in the right place, that is for sure. The three main canals, Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht were built in the 17th century and form concentric circles around the city and are now listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. Although originally used for transporting goods, they are mostly used for tourists and recreation. Along the waterways you will also find a number of houseboats. Find an hour or two to take a boat tour, they are a lot of fun and give you a different perspective of this beautiful and vibrant city.
Sites of Amsterdam…
There is so much history in Amsterdam and such ornate architecture. I loved walking down the quaint streets and was captivated by the beautiful buildings. Such a contrast to the modern sub divisions of Canada. If people are going purely for the Cannabis cafes and the Red Light District, they are missing the best Amsterdam has to offer. The Red Light District is interesting and is safe to walk around but please don’t stare. These are working women and they must adhere to strict safety health rules.
The majestic Royal Palace is worth a visit as is the brass recreation of The Night Watch in Rembrandt Square. This is a famous piece of art originally created by Russian artists Mikhail Dronov and Alexander Taratunov. For a more humbling experience, stop by the Holocaust Museum in the Jewish Sector. When you need to take a break and get away from the noise, venture into the Nun’s Garden, otherwise known as Begijinhof. This area dates back to the 14th century and was originally built for the catholic sisterhood known as Begijinhof. Not only does this small courtyard have some of the oldest buildings in Amsterdam, but it is also still only for single women. Enjoy the stillness and the quiet before heading out for an afternoon aperitif.
Anne Frank House…
A visit to Amsterdam would not be complete without a stop at Anne Frank House. It’s ironic that a hiding place has become one of the best known buildings in the Netherlands. The house itself was built in 1635 with the annex being built in 1739. In 1940, Frank Otto rented the building for his business. He built a new staircase for functional reasons and later on, a bookcase was installed to hide the entrance to the Annex where Anne Frank and her family hid for 2 years. Go to the official Anne Frank website for more information and to buy tickets. This is a busy place so it is a good idea to pre-book your tickets.
It would be easy to spend a week in Amsterdam but there are so many other wonderful cities in Holland so we did what we could but I am definitely not done with this city. With over 50 museums, fabulous Dam Square with the oldest building in Amsterdam, De Oude Kerk and the Homomonument, there is so much to keep you busy. I can’t wait to return to beautiful and vibrant Amsterdam.
