Amsterdam
Recently returned from Amsterdam after a whirlwind of a trip. It was so much fun, and I am beyond excited that I was able to escape the wintery Stockholm for a little bit. (It has been and icy death trap these past couple of weeks!)
Let me say: I love Amsterdam. I think going a second time opens your eyes and you get to discover more about a city. You no longer need to see all the cliche "photo spots" You can wander a little more knowing that you have seen the "must-sees" and get to find your own hidden gems.
With that said. Amsterdam: what is going on!? I cannot really find any proper travel guide for people in their 20s besides just some hostels and the van Gogh museum. But with all those hella long lines in January who really has time for that. So I shall create my Weekend in Amsterdam Guide. Not everything we did I think should be redone but the main point of my guide is:
*I am hypocritical I know*
1.Don't always follow what guide books tell you to see, usually everyone has the same guide and a more personal unique trip is always more fun!
2. Don't Be afraid to get lost who knows what you will find. Within lost reason. You want to be "lost" not taken.
3. Remember it is your trip YOURS not Frommer's or whoever. No one has the same tastes. But.. Tripadvisor is your friend! Use that wealth of knowledge!
4. Also if you are allergic to a certain feline creature and I mean cat. Be warned! Cats are everywhere in Amsterdam lurking in cafes and stores!
So here it goes my little list of things to do whilst in Amsterdam. And TIPS!
- First of all from the airport it is super easy to take the train in to central station. Just 4 Euros too!
We stayed at the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel; which I loved the location 4 min walk from central station, close too the city center, BUT no free WIFI... What is that! WIFI should be included in a hotel.. it is 2015. ugh. Other than that, it was a nice hotel. The dome in the picture is the hotel super easy to spot if lost!
- We went and explored the Red Light District. I was too scared to go in the first time I was there but this time I'm glad we went. It is such a unique place, with interesting (sketchy) people! So fun though!
- Make you you go to FEBO it is this cool "vending machine" style fast food place with amazing croquets and fries!
- While in the RLD we went to the Prostitution Museum. Not sure if I would recommend it, but it was interesting....
- The BEST day was when we went to Sauna Deco. This ahhmazing sauna and spa. I got a facial and was glowing after! I didn't even want to wear makeup. Their massages I heard were also fantastic. It is all nude though.. so a word of warning! Going there was like walking in to an old 1920's movie. There were so many saunas and a cold pool. I loved it!
- We had a lovely dinner at Dulac. All I kept thinking about was Shrek with that haha. But we were just going to get soup, then leave. The soup was that. good. We stayed for steak then and it was also just as fantastic.
- For a healthy snack and juice we went to Dr. Blend.
- Make sure to pick up some cheese and stroop waffles! We did that at the Amsterdam cheese company. The pesto cheese *jaw droppingly good*
- We did a quick walk to Vondel Park and to the IAMSTERDAM sign. There were too many people and it was just too crowded!
We just had a weekend, very time pressed. So I can just recommend wandering around like we did! It was so nice and the spa was definitely a must do. I'll just let my pictures do the talking. There are so many it is hard to choose from!
xx Elizabeth
