Amsterdam

Have just returned from a very HOT few days in Amsterdam with Sophie.

The irony!!! We chose Amsterdam as it wouldn't be hot!!! 

It was actually 30+ every day!!

Day one, Amsterdam! 

Super busy, super hot, 30 degrees + but got off to a great 'early' start. Traveled by car, plane, train, bus and tram (all on the first day). After dropping our bags off at the hotel, we visited the Albert Cuyp Market. It's super busy on the weekend but was quite chilled on a weekday but annoyingly, the number one Stroopwafle maker wasn't open, so we planned to source the second best another day! Tried the Dutch apple cake instead and that did not disappoint. Whilst meandering our way around the city, we found the De Carrousel Pannenkoeken, and shared our first 'poffertjes' - small pancakes topped with butter and icing sugar and they were delicious. We continued to wander and came across the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Heineken Brewery. They were all in full sun and it was hot!!! So we spent the afternoon in Vondelpark, in search of shade! After a couple of hours people watching and taking in the bike movements, we had tea at the Food Hallen. A selection of different cuisines housed in an old tram shed! Feeling tired, we headed back to the hotel.

A busy, tiring, hot first day!

Day two, Amsterdam! 

An early start, we booked tickets to go to the Anne Frank Museum 6 weeks ago. Good job as they're sold out for the day!! We got the tram and then walked our way there, stopping for breakfast 'poffertjes' on the way. A very moving, thought provoking hour! The mission for the day was to keep Sophie cool. So we wandered the Negen Straats (Nine Streets) and then around the Jordaan area. Stopping at shady Street Cafes and wandering down tree lined streets. Found the 'The Fault in our Stars bench', made famous by the film and came across plenty of  shops selling mushrooms and not the type I find in the woods!! When researching Amsterdam’s food, potatas frites came up in every search, topped traditionally with mayo. So, that's what we had for lunch. We joined the queue for Fabel Friet, thinking they'd better be worth it........and they were! Found a spot to perch along the canal, delicious!

We ended the day with a fab boat cruise along the canals. Taking in many sights along the way, including the 'Dancing Houses' (above)

Day three, Amsterdam! 

And it was hot! hot! hot! We started off by hiring bikes and cycling around Vondelpark. I last rode a bike at Center Parcs, however many years ago that was!?! But it's true what they say.....'You never forget' and I absolutely loved it! Next up, was the Floating Flower Market - Bloemenmarkt. Sooooo many tulip bulbs!! Lunch stop was at 'blue Amsterdam' a cafe up on the 3rd floor of a shopping complex, with free 360-degree views across Amsterdam. We spent the afternoon wandering along the Kalverstraat, the main shopping street, making the most of the aircon, up to De Wallen, the Old town. But it was so open and there was no shade, so we didn't hang around, and after a quick peek around the Red Light District, we went in search of  Tony's Chocoloney. The home of the most delicious chocolate. Although, disappointingly, due to the heat, the 'make your own flavour bar machine' wasn't working!! Too HOT!! We didn't have time to go back again in the morning when it was cooler. Oh well, we saved ourselves some calories!! The cafe was closed too, again I guess due to the heat!! Will buy a bar from the supermarket instead, although I'm pretty sure we have most flavours now back in the UK. Next up, we headed back to Centraal Staion to catch the free ferry over to NDSM, a former industrial shipyard, now home to the Straat Graffiti and Street Art Museum.

They're right, you never forget how to ride a bike!
Had to give it a go in Amsterdam x

I love street art and graffiti. I love the colour, the boldness of design, the message it shares and the absolute skill and creativity of the artists. I would have happily spent time in the Straat Graffiti and Street Art Museum but it's not Sophie's Cup of tea!! Next time xx

Day four Amsterdam! 

We started off bright and early catching the bus to Centraal Station, then walking on to the OBA - Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam. Where we enjoyed breakfast up on the 7th floor, with free views across Amsterdam! The actual library was pretty cool too. Then we set off to catch a train, firstly to Zaanse Schans village......

......home to Windmills and traditional craft workshops! Where we spent 4hrs wandering. 

Next up, colourful Zaandam and home to the Inntel Hotel where the iconic green Zaan cottages are stacked 11 stories high to make one gigantic hotel. 

And then, an eventful train ride home. The train came to a sudden halt, electrical fault, ended up an hour later, with workmen cutting through a metal fence, having to jump off the train, down the bank, over the fence and walk home!! More steps than planned!! Absolutely knackered!!

At least no one was hurt, but not how I thought our evening would end!!

Day five, Amsterdam! 

We were up early, making the best of our time before checking out of our hotel. Got the tram back into the Negen Straats area, as we really liked it there. Had our last poffertjes for breakfast and bought a few treats to take home in JUMBO! I love a foreign Supermarket - Tony's, stroopwafles, Kruidnoten! all went into the basket. Anyway, we didn't have much time and before we knew it, it was time to head back to the hotel and check out. We went on to Schiphol Airport early via the train, as it's so big and soooooo very busy! We finally found the Iamsterdam letters there, at last. They apparently get moved around the city! Flight was delayed by an hour, but it's a quick 50 minute flight and before we knew it, we were home. 

Reflections!

Bikes and canals, classic Amsterdam!

One hot Sophie!!

Our hotel, the XO Blue Tower. 

The cheapest option....Amsterdam is really expensive! So we ended up staying further out and booking the hotel directly through the website and saving ourselves €50. We were on the 9th floor, and had fantastic views. There were 2 supermarkets directly next to the hotel and in front, a small shopping complex. The tram and bus stops were less than a 5 minute walk, which took you easily into the center of Amsterdam. I basically work on the fact, especially with a city break, you literally just sleep and shower, so although it would be lovely to wake up right by some famous landmark or in a really posh place, it's not worth paying a premium for. As long as it's clean and in a safe area, it's fine.

Our favourite 'poffertjes'

The food on the whole was quite limiting, in terms of a main meal. Maybe the heat had brought all the locals out too, but it was super busy in the good places and posher places needed reservations, so we didn't really eat a proper meal!. We were fine for breakfast and lunch but ended up picnicing in the evenings. Enjoyed all the 'must try's' though - Dutch Apple Cake, stroopwafles, frites, poffertjes xx

So a fab few days in Amsterdam. 

For me, the sunshine was most welcome, but there again, even for me, it could have been a little cooler. For Sophie, it needed to be 10 degrees cooler. We booked Amsterdam, thinking it would be around 22-24 degrees, not 30+, so I think she would have enjoyed it more, if it had not been so hot.

 We still managed to get a lot done, walked 1000's and 1000's of steps, drank gallons of water, and the fan she bought in Majorca was put to good use! But the heat was a little too much at times xx

Will just have to go back again, when it's a little cooler x