Wednesday 8 August 2018

Our Trip to Amsterdam

Hey guys! Last week, Oliver and I were on our way to Amsterdam! We had such an amazing time and I wanted to share where we went and what we did with you. I hope you enjoy this post and let me know in the comments if you have been or are planning to go to Amsterdam.

Day One


I booked our holiday for three days and we stayed at the Ramada Airport Schiphol hotel which was a ten minute drive from the hotel and we had a free shuttle service to and from. It was a little way out of the centre of Amsterdam but there was a supermarket close by which meant we could buy all our drinks and some food at cheaper prices. You can get the train from the airport directly to the city centre and it takes around 20 minutes.

Our flight landed at around 8am so we had a whole day and checked in to our hotel to drop off our bags. We then headed back to the airport and caught the train into the centre. On our first day, we went to the sex museum, which was funny and interesting and maybe a little embarrassing! It's only five euros each. After that we took a wander around and had some lunch at McDonald's before making our way to Jordaan and the flower markets. We did a lot of walking so I recommend catching the tram or Metro! We also purchased a three day travel card from the airport which was around twenty-eight euros each and covered us for all trains, trams, metro and ferries.


We had a look at The Cat Boat, a little boat full of stray cats and then we walked all the way back to Dam Square and went to Ripley's Believe it or Not. I recommend looking at offers before going because we made the mistake of buying a full ticket when we could have had another tour for the same price. Ripley's was quite fun and we were there for Pride week and they were allowing people to marry for one day only so it was lovely seeing all the couples getting married!

We then walked all the way back to the Anne Frank House and had dinner at Pancakes Amsterdam, which is just across from Anne Frank. We recommend using your card more than bringing cash as we ate there three times and they don't accept cash but give you the option to pay in pounds so you don't have to pay an exchange rate. The pancakes are delicious and you get a little key ring souvenir each time you go.


We booked the 6pm slot to visit the Anne Frank House and it was the most inspiring experience; you can't go to Amsterdam without visiting. There was a screaming baby which ruined the experience slightly, but seeing the attic, where she lived, was insane. The experience made me quite emotional and we must have been there for over an hour. You get to use headsets which tell you more in detail about the way the Franks lived and what happened to them.

Day Two


On day two, all rested from the day before, we made our way out into the city early and visited Noord on the ferry. We saw online that there was a place called A'dam Lookout. It's a tall building which has a swing that swings you over the edge, so of course Oliver wanted to try it. We booked our slot and for around forty euros we went upstairs and looked around as the sights from up there were incredible. We should have bought the ticket that included lunch though as we both had paninis.


The swing, Over the Edge, was scary but an experience I'm glad I didn't miss. We made our way back downstairs and onto the ferry which departs around every six minutes and it's also free.

We then made our way to the smallest pub in Amsterdam (from the TV advert), the smallest house and the smallest cafe, where we went to have a drink.

In the evening we headed over to the Red Light District and visited the Erotic Museum which was about seven euros each. It has some of John Lennon's drawings, a weird cartoon program and lots of sex toys. We also visited the Prostitution Museum which is a few buildings down and that was around eleven euros each. You get a headset to listen to a prostitute's story and you get to visit the brothel. The end was the best part because everyone writes their sex confessions and sticks them on the wall! 

We went to the Pancake place again to kill time so it would get dark so we could see the Red Light District at night. It was weird seeing prostitutes in the windows and seeing all the guilty men coming out at only 9pm. It was interesting to see and I definitely recommend going at night when it's so busy.


Day Three


We had pretty much done everything we wanted to do and see so we headed off to the airport to drop off our luggage (only six euros each on card if you're taking hand luggage). We wanted to visit Artis Zoo so we took the Metro. It was around fifty euros for both of us to get in and it was quite a large zoo. They have everything from elephants to insects, reptiles to penguins and wolves. I definitely recommend a visit if you have time and it only takes a few hours to go around, depending on what you want to see.

We then made our way to the pancake place again where I had american pancakes with bacon and maple syrup (oh my God it was so good). By the time we had finished, it was already time to go!

I think three days was enough for Oliver and I, but it depends on what you like to do. If you're an art freak or museum nut, then you might need longer, but if you're like us and want to do little museums and attractions, then you won't need long at all.

Until next time, love Vee x

2 comments:

  1. It's a really helpful blog for those who wanna give a visit to Amsterdam. Glad you have mentioned it very beautifully. :)

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  2. I went to Amsterdam a couple years back with my parents, but for the life of me I couldn't tell you what we did during that time. We stayed for a similar amount of days and I know that I loved the slightly rainy weather and the super nice people. Our hotel was pretty much in the city center, so we just walked EVERYWHERE, with the exception of taking a couple boats to explore further. But I don't remember all that many museums *hmmm* guess we just looked at more stuff from the outside? haha

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