There are many cities in Europe that are worth a visit but for a travelling novice Amsterdam is one of the obvious choices!
The style of Amsterdam’s houses gives it a feeling of being ‘foreign’, the canals make it really beautiful and you know you’ll get to do something different there, whether it be going to one of Amsterdam’s many museums or trying a hash brownie!
If you regularly stay in hostels you will not be disappointed with the breakfast! The staff were also very friendly, the hostel (Stadsdoelen) was in a great location, they offered wifi and had a TV room. The only downside was that I booked an ensuite but received a shared toilet and bathroom, the shower of which was two floors below the room.
Food in Amsterdam is not something you’ll have a problem with. Restaurants range in price but you’ll find pizza and pasta places for under €10. McDonalds and Burger Kings are dotted around as well as chip shops and kebab houses.
There are supermarkets around too if that’s the way you want to go but for a snack why not get a burger out of a vending machine!? You may be apprehensive if you see one of these places; where you insert coins, press a button and grab a burger but believe me, they are both cheap (around €2) and delicious!
I Amsterdam Sign!
Anne Frank Huis
The tour has obviously been well thought out and Anne’s father, Otto Frank, seems to have had some involvement with the museum which makes the tour very touching and moving. You don’t need to have read Anne’s diary to visit the museum so don’t worry about that if you’re taking children there to give them an education, the museum does that job for you.
Be warned though! It is very likely you will have to queue for entry.
Vondelpark
Coffee Shops and Ice Bar
Whilst having a drink out of a glass made of ice and wearing a thermal poncho in an ice bar that’s -10°C sounds amazing, the reality is quite a disappointment. The ice bar is, in essence, an advertising campaign.
The ponchos are reused in quick succession making them wet and sticky, leading me to believe that the ice glasses must also be repeatedly reused. The two ‘free’ drinks you receive, in spite of being advertised to me as cocktails, are actually a choice of juice, a shot or a small beer.
In-between these drinks you are victim to a boring and pointless 3D show which is another attempt at advertising. So only go to the Ice Bar if you want to pay €19.50 to be pitched at by Smirtnoff, Jagermeister, LG and Heineken!
Rembrandt Square
This is my favourite square in Amsterdam. It’s not as big as Dam square but it’s also not as insanely busy and I prefer somewhere a little quieter and with less car and bike traffic.
It has what you would typically expect from a square; restaurants and bars. Plus a coffee shop! You will also have great fun posing with Rembrandt and The Night Watchmen!
