ART AND AMSTERDAM
Looking to visit an approachable city with great museums, charming architecture and fun people? Try Amsterdam. An easy add-on from London or Paris, we spent three days in this lovely city to celebrate Van Gogh’s 150th birthday. What a fantastic experience! We hated to leave.
Day 1
- Arrive Amsterdam Airport. Find a cash machine and the train to City Center.
- Upon arrival, locate tram #17 – which let us off right in front of our Airbnb apartment.
- Meet host, store bags, and head out for a quick breakfast and some early sightseeing until the room is ready.
- Enjoy a stroll over bridges and down side streets while winding your way to the church of Our Dear Lord in the Attic.
- On the way back, investigate some side streets – maybe find surprising street art.
- Back at the BnB, take a good nap and awake ready to take on Amsterdam that afternoon/evening.
- Walk along the charming canals, stop for an early dinner at a cute café like Zeppos.
- Visit the Rembrandt House Museum. Gorgeous art and interesting demonstrations of paint preparation and etching.
- Wander across town to the Jordaan neighborhood and walk around if the weather is nice. Lovely area with shops and restaurants.
- Stop at a small grocery and purchase some drinks and snacks for the room.
- Back to the BnB for a well-deserved night’s sleep.
Day 2
- Find a breakfast spot and try some Dutch pancakes to get the day started. Yum!
- On the way to the Flower Market, visit Begijnhof, a collection of residences that date back to the 1300s. Admire the architecture and enjoy the peaceful historical ambience.
- A few blocks away, the Bloemenmarkt beckons with bulbs, flowers and tourists. Enjoy a walk around and snap a few pictures.
- Walk to the Museum District. First stop the famous Rijksmuseum for a couple of hours of art appreciation. Children 18 and under are free! Purchase tickets online and save waiting in line.
- Museumplein – just outside the museum – sports the I Amsterdam sign. Pose on the large letter sculpture – with everyone else in the city!
- Plan to visit the Van Gogh Museum later in the evening (open late on Fridays) to avoid the crowds. Purchase timed tickets quickly and easily at the Museum Store near the I Amsterdam sign – or online prior to your visit.
- Walk several blocks to Vondel Park, stopping along the way to pick up lunch and picnic in the park.
- Feeling adventurous? Rent a bike at A-Bike Rentals just around the corner. Easy entry to the park and only a few minutes navigating Amsterdam streets/traffic!
- Take a leisurely walk back to the BnB to rest, catch up on emails and plan for an evening of Van Gogh.
- Explore a few different streets and canals on the way back to the Museum District. Charming and good restaurants are plentiful along the way.
- Plan to spend a couple of hours at the Van Gogh Museum enjoying the breadth of his works.
- Try another photo shoot at the I Amsterdam sign – probably still crowded!
- Take a taxi back to the apartment for a Netflix movie on a laptop and bed.
Day 3
- Treat yourself to a lazier morning today – getting on European time can take a day or two!
- Enjoy a late canal-side brunch if the weather permits. Watch the tour boats glide past.
- Visit the Anne Frank Museum. Purchase your ticket several weeks prior to your visit and plan your day around the timed ticket. (English or Dutch tours do not matter. The self-guided tour features both languages.)
- The Museum is one of the most visited in the city and is a somber, but beautiful, experience.
- Walk off the serious mood and go through the famous red light district – fairly tame during the day – and enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells.
- Choose a canal boat company for a different vantage point. Our choice? AIX/Friendship Canal Rides with open boats, lots of cushions and pillows and lively crowds.
- The tour route lasts about an hour and takes visitors in and around some beautiful neighborhoods, under bridges and through canals that we wouldn’t have found just by walking around. Lovely and fun!
- Last night in a charming and fun city! Pub crawl? Fine dining in the Jordaan? Pick your favorite and enjoy!
- Sign your children up for frequent flier programs…even if they don’t fly enough to earn a ticket, you can use their balances to add to yours. It can really help if you’re shy a few miles.
- Send yourselves a daily postcard. Your hotel will likely sell stamps and mail them for you! When you arrive home, enjoy reliving the experiences all over again.
- Be flexible. If your daily itinerary is weather-dependent, don’t hesitate to switch activities and make the most of a sunny day.
- If you’re traveling over a weekend in Europe, do a little research and make sure activities/places on your itinerary are open on Sundays.
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