AMSTERDAM: HIGHLIGHTS Part 3

The next day Emma insisted we woke up early, out by 08:00 in order to be in the cue for the Anne Frank House and Museum.  Now admittedly this isn't normally my go to, however I was defiantly proved wrong.  With the beautiful exterior of the canal side house, it appeared conventional.  The whole house tour was actually really interesting.  Over the years the annex has remained in its authentic state, so it was amazing to experience/tour aspects of her life living as an evacuee.  With the aim today highlighting the importance of freedom, human rights and democracy in her memory.  It is surely worth a visit...even if it does mean cuing for 45 minutes at 8 o'clock in the morning.  

On our way to our next stop we passed the Magee Brug (Skinny Bridge).  With the original bridge built in 1670, it is most famous bridge in the whole of Amsterdam.  In the evenings the bridge is illuminated with thousands of lights, making it one of the most romantic locations in the city. 
Close to the bridge a tiny art studio caught my eye...obviously all in Hungarian, so I had no hope of translating the sign.  Although it surely was a good photo opportunity.

AMSTERDAM'S HORTUS BOTANICAL GARDENS

Next we hit the prominent Hortus Botanical Gardens.  Famous for its natural beauty, it is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world since 1638.  It contains around 6,000 plants and over 4,000 different species.  The mass amount of nature that surrounded us was incredible.

The Climate Greenhouses allowed you to walk across the dark jungle like trails along the treetops.

We came across these extraordinary giant Victoria Water Lily's.  The leaves of the water lily can reach a diameter of 2 meters, and only flower at night.  Each flower blooms for just two consecutive nights, white the first night, pink the second. Amazing.

The butterfly greenhouse was by far my favourite of all.  Filled with hundreds of tropical butterflies floating among the various flowers and plants, their colours so vibrant.

CITY STROLL / LAST BEER 

Before we headed to the airport that evening, we decided to have one last roam around the canals and back to Dam Square.  Dam Square holds a collection of amazing buildings, highlighting the very gothic architecture.  Including Amsterdam's Royal Palace originally built as a city hall, it is thought to be the eighth wonder of the world.  Also Niewe Kerk (New Church) a 15th century gothic church building. 

We had been meaning to stop at one of the pancake and waffle houses before we left.  Luckily we managed to demolish a freshly baked waffle, topped with strawberry, nutella and whipped cream each.

Of course it would have been wrong to visit Amsterdam, and not venture into the Amsterdam Cheese Company.  Packed top to bottom with Dutch cheeses and souvenirs.  We obviously took advantage of the samples on offer.  

Our last stop evidently had to be a traditional dutch pub Nieuwe Zijde.  

And so that was it, sunset fell and we headed back to the airport.  There were so many exciting things to do in Amsterdam, the four days flew by.  We managed to press in a huge amount of tourist sights.  Not to mention the vast amount of steps we totalled up; just over 20,000 steps a day woaah.
Bye Amsterdam, you were inspirational.

Sarah
  

AMSTERDAM: HIGHLIGHTS Part 2

CANAL BOAT TOUR

Along side windmills and tulips, Amsterdam's is know globally for its winding canals.  So the next day we had a bright early morning trip on a canal boat tour to take in all the beautiful slights.  The 75 minute open boat tour, in the glistening August sunshine was the perfect way to spend the morning.  At €16 the tour took us through all the main highlights, from the Amsterdam Unesco protected canal ring, one of the worlds most unique urban landscapes.  It is known as the most beautiful water network through out the city of Amsterdam, providing a stunning backdrop of culture and architecture. 

The canal tour proved to be the perfect introduction to the city's countless sights.  It highlighted some of Amsterdam's most famous 'coffee shops', with roughly 250 alone in the city including The Bulldog, Green House Centrum and Amnesia.  The route took us past Gaussian Diamonds, Golden Bend, City Hall, Rijksmuseum Van Gogh, Dam Square Anne Frank House, Hermitage Skinny Bridge and eventually past Jordan, back to Central East.

As a design lover, all aspects of architecture Amsterdam's luxurious canal houses and endearing facades definitely drew my attention.  Many of the canal houses were built during the elevation of the Dutch Golden Age.  Among the unique architecture and narrow canals, lay tiny alley ways, quaint gardens and historic stories hidden behind the facades of canal houses.  The canal tour allows you to sit back and inhale the bustling canals, swarming with boats, barges and bicyclists appearing from all directions.

The Bull Dog 'Coffee Shop'

Smallest centre canal house.

BRUNCH vs. BEER
With just a short walk across the canal; seeing as we managed to skip breakfast, we headed for brunch.  After spending 10 minutes or so battling with the wind and the menus, we ordered the ultimate club-sandwich...and of course beer...

 ...and no despite the extent of my hunger, the club-sandwich defeated me.

EXPLORING THE CITY

Evidently after the colossal club-sandwich we has a sudden urge to walk miles.  So we headed to the inner city to explore the tiny alley ways, classic buildings and city bikes.

Everywhere you turn there are marks of the colourful dutch culture.  From music and comedy events, beautiful galleries to urban antique portals. 

AMSTERDAM'S FAMOUS RED LIGHT DISTRICT

Now as most would agree, it would be wrong to visit Amsterdam and not venture into the Red Light District right?  The district is the oldest area in the city.  The area is suitably known for its erotic shops and touristic features, it leaves nothing much to the imagination.  The outlook of the street really does just appear like all the other canals, however as night falls a red outline separates it from the rest.  

As the day drew to a close, we exited the Red Light District to look up to a vivid pink/red sky - strangely ironic I know!

TAKING ON AMSTERDAM: HIGHLIGHTS Part 1

From Budapest to Barcelona, Copenhagen to Paris we finally settled with A...to start with the first letter of the alphabet and head to Amsterdam.  Dominating the city with its famous canals; themselves proving to be a perfect example of the innovative fresh approach taken within the city.  Myself and Emma decided Amsterdam would be the ultimate city break for us to explore.

Tuesday Travels

So with just four days to explore as much of Amsterdam as physically possible, we started off wandering around the area to get our bearings.  First on our hit list was Amsterdam's famous flower market, also known as Bolcenmarkt it is the world's only floating flower market.  Situated on the southern canal belt, the market founded in 1862 is one of the main suppliers of flowers to central Amsterdam.

Flowers...flowers...flowers everywhere.

One of the most colourful enchanting markets.

These vivid coloured wooden tulips are certainly the most popular souvenir when visiting the flower market and Amsterdam in general.  So here, have a photo of a thousand painted tulips.  Which leans perfectly on to our next destination...The Amsterdam Tulip Museum.

 Amsterdam Tulip Museum is located in the heart of historic Amsterdam, surrounded by cafes and fine shops.  The museum itself features all aspects of the tulip, the 'unofficial national flower of Holland/Netherlands'.

After a busy late morning exploring the city streets, we were in dire need of a coffee!!
When we stumbled across Hummus Bistro D&A, a beautifully decorated cafe filled with healthy snacks, coffee, sweets and hummus (duh).

We stopped for a quick pit-stop, and enjoyed a delicious cappuccino each.  Unfortunately we were not lucky enough to sample the mouthwatering menu...but here have a link to get you in the soul food mood, with examples of gorgeous vegan, gluten free and vegetarian dishes.

Together with the quaint setting, the simplistic bright interior the bistro is fresh and welcoming. Combined with the rustic jars and floral wall prints, it is clear the furnishings compliment the gorgeous soul food and fresh coffee.

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