Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Netherlands is without a doubt one of our favorite places to visit! On this trip, we only had one full day to do it all, and we really tried. We didn’t get to see nearly enough, but there’s always next time! Here is what we got to do on this amazing day:
We love history, and the Netherlands is full of it. One of the places in Amsterdam that is definitely worth visiting is the Anne Frank house. This is the home/office building which Anne Frank and her family hid in during World War 2. Visiting this historic building was a touching, emotional experience.
On the wall of one of the rooms, there are pencil markings which marked the height of the residents, including Anne. Seeing these markings brings a totally different perspective to things as it really hits you hard that you are standing in such a historical place. It brings a certain sense of realness to the situation to stand there. If you ever get a chance to visit this amazing place, make it a priority.
Walking along the canal’s and the streets of Amsterdam is always interesting. Here are a few of the sites that we thought looked really nice.
For lunch, we went to our all time favorite restaurant, Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs. This place has some of the most authentic, delicious pancakes in Amsterdam. Be sure to give them a try if you’re ever in town. You will need to get a reservation by phone one week in advance, or you most likely won’t get in. The number is:+31(0)20-626-5603.
After filling up on waffles, it was time to find some tulips, stroopwafel’s, and windmills. So, we headed over to Keukenhof Gardens, not far from Amsterdam. These gardens are only open for about two months a year, starting towards the end of March. Getting there was a bit of a hassle, and involved taking the metro back to the airport, then buying a new ticket from a private company to take the bus over to the gardens and back. Although the transportation situation was less than optimal, the gardens were amazing. Here are a few of the highlights:
Well, that’s Amsterdam in one day! There were so many fun things that we got to do, and we are excited to go back soon!
Here are some other things that you might enjoy during your time in Amsterdam:
Canal cruises
IAmsterdam sign – Hobbemastraat 19, 1071 XZ Amsterdam, Netherlands