A long weekend in Amsterdam

Introduction:

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is all about the blend of trend and tradition. Hence, the itinerary for visiting Amsterdam also must reflect the same aspect. Keeping that in mind, I am suggesting the following three days’ itinerary:

Day 1:

Museum quarter: Explore the rich collection of arts dating back to 200 years in the Rijksmuseum. Next, walk over to Van Gogh museum, which is less than 5 minutes’ walk away. The IAmsterdam sign will be on the way.

• Best time to visit: The best way to beat the crowd is to visit during the opening hour, around 9:00 am, or during the closing hour.
• Ticketing: Tickets need to be booked in advance.
• Getting there: From Centraal station, board tram 2 or 5 and get down at Rijksmuseum station. From here, the Rijksmuseum is a few minutes’ walk away.
•  Ideal time commitment: 3-4 hours.

Old city centre: The oldest part of Amsterdam is home to two of the most popular neighbourhoods in the city – Dam and De Wallen (Red-Light District).

• Damrak is the main street off the Centraal station. It culminates into the upbeat town square in Amsterdam, the Dam Square. The grandeur of the Royal Palace, the street performances, the cheerful ambience of the place is sure to make any gloomy day brighter. By the side of the Royal Palace, on the opposite side of the road, there is a café overlooking the Dam square. Enjoy some local food and drink there while enjoying the vibes of the place.
•  Next, keeping the Royal Palace behind you, walk towards the National monument, which is the white coloured monument standing tall against the scars of World War II.
• The Red-Light District is a few minutes’ walk from here. A grid of alleys and canals between the Warmoesstraat and the Nieuwmarkt contain several tiny apartments which are used to offer prostitution services. After the nightfall, the entire area is lit by red and pink neon lights, earning it the name: Red-Light District. The De Waag building is the heart of the Red Light district from where you can follow the crowd to eventually land up in the prostitution alleys. Note: It is strictly prohibited to click pictures in the alleys.

Day 2:

Anne Frank House: Take a walk through the life of the teenage Jewish diarist who spent more than two years of her life hiding in the secret annex with seven more people. Listening to the Church bells from there, cut off from the outside world, her only solace was her diary through which she lived on even after her tragic death.

• Best time to visit: The best way to beat the crowd is to visit during the opening hour, around 9:00 am, or during the closing hour.
• Getting there: From Centraal station, trams 13 and 17 we head towards the Westermarkt. From here, Anne Frank House is 5 minutes’ stroll away.
• Ideal time commitment: The entire tour of the house takes around 1-1.5 hours. Journey time to and from Centraal station is around 20 minutes total.

ZaanseSchans Windmills: About half an hour bus ride away from Amsterdam is the well preserved historic windmills of Zaanse Schans in the neighbourhood of Zaandam. Stroll through the fields or rent a bike as you enjoy the cool breeze kiss your face. Visit the windmills to see how it looks from the inside. Take the boat ride if you will or simply sit by the water enjoying some delicious ice cream or Stroop waffles.

• Getting there: From Amsterdam Centraal station, proceed to the bus departure platform. Take the bus 391 to Zaandam. The windmills are only 2 minutes' walk away from there. There are many buses and trains operating in this route, but I found this one the most straightforward.
• Ideal time commitment: 3 to 4 hours including journey time from Amsterdam

Canal cruise: Head to the old city centre and explore the crowded and quiet lanes and alleys. When you feel tired, head to the canal and board one of the open boats for an hour-long canal cruise. Sip your drink on-board, as your boat guide explains the history and fun facts about the various buildings you pass by.

Day 3:

Keep this day free and easy. Here is a list of things you can do for this day:

• Go for some cheap shopping in Waterloopien area
• Visit the Begijnhof courtyard with its hidden church
• Visit the Oude Kerk and the Nieu Kerk (Old and new Church)
• Go cheese tasting
• Try out local food
• Heinekken experience

Essential Tip: Try not to constrain yourself within time limits. If you find yourself lost in the charm of one place, stay there for as long as you want. Even if that means you need to sacrifice one point of interest from your itinerary. Similarly, if you do not find a place that much interesting, come out and invest your time somewhere you are more likely to find interest. Last but not the least, have a trip to cherish forever.

Also view: Amsterdam, Windmills of Zaanse Schans

Amsterdam

Introduction:

Named after its origins around a dam in the river Amstel, Amsterdam was one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age (17^th Century). A near perfect blend of modernisation and tradition, the capital city of Netherlands is characterised by dykes, canals, museums, trams, bikes and of course, coffee shops and the red-light district.

Dam Square

Getting There:

Schipol airport serves as the international gateway to Amsterdam. Once there, high speed trains connect you to the Amsterdam Centraal station for less than 10 Euros and in less than 10 minutes.

Regular buses and trains also connect Amsterdam to various other parts of Europe.

Getting Around:

The city fans out south from the Centraal station, along Damrak, the main street of the station. To the north lies the IJ waterbody (or as the locals call it, river). IJ separates the North from the South Amsterdam, with frequent ferries connecting the two banks free of cost. The ferry ride across IJ takes less than 5 minutes.

A scene from North Amsterdam to the North of IJ waterbody

Like other prominent cities in Europe, the public transport system is very well developed in Amsterdam. The OV-chipkaart makes travelling via bus, tram and train within Netherlands hassle-free and cheaper.

The most popular way to get around, however, is by bikes. One of the most prominent scenes that you will find in the city is a plethora of bikers.

Accommodation:

Try choosing your accommodation in and around the old city centre of Amsterdam, which hosts the neighbourhoods of De Wallen (Red Light district), Dam, Spui, Nieuwmarkt and Waterlooplien.

There are a few accommodations available in the area.

Happy Panda Notes:

1. Cycling: Bike is one of the characteristic features of Holland. Cycling through the quiet and the busy neighbourhoods of the city is an activity loved by the locals and the tourists equally well.
2. Open boat canal cruise: Another trademark of Holland – canals. While a lot of canal cruises are readily available, I would recommend taking the open boat cruises.
3. Visit the windmills of Zaanse Schans: A classic Dutch scenery cannot be painted without traditional windmills. And when just a 30 mins’ bus ride offers you a quintessential Dutch experience, it becomes a must.
4. Visit the museums: Museums preserve the past heritage of a place and thus becomes an integral part of any itinerary that caters to the cultural quest for a place.
5. Ride the free ferry to cross the IJ river that divides the North and South Amsterdam
6. Experience the Red-Light District. Since long, there has been a tradition of tolerance when it comes to prostitution in Amsterdam. Although the city is still giving their best in fighting forced sex or trafficking, the freedom and the straightforwardness shown here in terms of prostitution is worth the praise. If not for anything else, the bustle of the area makes it worth a visit. But beware, photographing the women here is strictly forbidden.
7. Take a taste of the coffee shop culture of Amsterdam. For those who don’t know, coffee shops in Amsterdam are not merely cafes to chill with friends over a cuppa coffee. Coffee shops here are the places where you get legal marijuana. However, beware, smoking joints outside of coffee shops in a public place is considered very rude here. Visit https://www.wheresmyweed.at/ for information on the different coffee shops.
8. Try the local foods and snacks: Stroop waffles, Bitterballen (by the side of beer), Patat special (thick Dutch fries), Haring (raw fish; try from the Vishandel Molenaar in the middle of the Albert Cuypmarkt), Stamppot (potato mashed with different combinations; try from Haesje Claes), Dutch liquorice (candy), Tompouce (pastry), Cheese fondue (try from Bar Huf).

Ideal time commitment: 4-5 days

Pocket Pinch: $$$

Suggested Itinerary: https://thewanderinghappypanda.blogspot.my/2017/10/a-long-weekend-in-amsterdam.html