THE NETHERLANDS : CHARMING, VIVID, YET OLD SCHOOL
Amsterdam – the Venice of the north. Known for its romantic bridges, thousands of 18th century old buildings, cruise along the famous canals on their authentic dutch boat, walk around in the charming and colorful neighborhood of Jordaan, or rent a bicycle & enjoy the picturesque view of the dancing houses. Delve further into their culture by visiting their world class museums, or experience the dutch heritage by the famous Zaanse Schans and their iconic windmills.
In general, spring to summer is the main peak season for tourist, when weather is the warmest. This itinerary will focus on its capital city and some tourist spots near to it and will give you insights that will stimulate your inner travel bug. This is the second part of my Euro trip. So, lets start exploring this one of the smallest and greatest cities in the world.
Schiphol Airport
We arrived at the massive Schiphol International Airport – home to the famous KLM Royal Dutch Airline, our official carrier too! Its their hospitality and friendliness makes our flight to Europe from Asia worth a ride.
After all the immigrations and baggage claims, we headed straight to the Schiphol concourse to purchase our tickets going to Amsterdam Sloterdjik Station. This is where our Meininger hotel is located.
I grew up watching 90's cartoons like Ceddie, Remi, Heidie, Judy Abbott and many more. It's a dream come true that I could visit this place and experienced country feels that were inspired from these series.
Catharina Hoeve (Cheese farm)
You will see this Cheese farm in the middle of Zaanse Chans. It's a must to visit and experience how a traditional dutch cheese was being made. You can also attend a cheese-making demonstration if you like.
Aside from cheese-making, there's a wide range of cheese products that are for sale. Also, other dutch souvenirs like, syrups, cookies, snacks, magnets, keychains, perfume, lotions and many more.
With its beautiful canals and 17th to 18th century old preserved buildings, known as the dancing houses that are all crooked along the canals. It's great to walk around or rent a bicycle and enjoy the surroundings. Ditch the maps and just get lost! ;)
Ann Frank Museum
Most of us know about this young & brave girl Ann Frank, who has to go into hiding during World War II to escape from the Nazis for more than 2 years. She and her family was eventually discovered and sent to concentration camp where she died. This 15-year-old girl penned a journal that would become a best seller around the world. The Museum includes historical documents, photographs, images, and other things that are from those who used and lived with Anne during the war.
There's always a long queue outside the museum, so I suggest you better plan your visit ahead of time.
Jordaan Neighbourhood
In general, spring to summer is the main peak season for tourist, when weather is the warmest. This itinerary will focus on its capital city and some tourist spots near to it and will give you insights that will stimulate your inner travel bug. This is the second part of my Euro trip. So, lets start exploring this one of the smallest and greatest cities in the world.
Schiphol Airport
We arrived at the massive Schiphol International Airport – home to the famous KLM Royal Dutch Airline, our official carrier too! Its their hospitality and friendliness makes our flight to Europe from Asia worth a ride.
After all the immigrations and baggage claims, we headed straight to the Schiphol concourse to purchase our tickets going to Amsterdam Sloterdjik Station. This is where our Meininger hotel is located.
Train ticket to Amsterdam
A sample arrival map of Schiphol Airport. In the center is the concourse, you can buy your train tickets there.
- From Schiphol international airport, walk straight to Schiphol concourse to purchase your train ticket going to Amsterdam.
- You can either purchase a ticket in a machine or if you want a human interaction, go to ticketing counter.
- Travel time from Schiphol to Amsterdam is 15 minutes.
- For us we puchased around trip ticket, but if you're not confident enough to keep it during your stay, then a one way will do. ;)
Zaanse Chans
Located on the northern part of Amsterdam. This historic 18th century old village is our first dutch activity. This unique part of Holland with full of wooden houses, iconic windmills, barns, and restaurants will offer you a glimpse of what it feels like to live in the Netherlands way back 17th & 18th century.
I grew up watching 90's cartoons like Ceddie, Remi, Heidie, Judy Abbott and many more. It's a dream come true that I could visit this place and experienced country feels that were inspired from these series.
This open air museum is easy to navigate and very informative. For us who likes to do our own thing, there's not need for a guide when going here, because it's more fun and you have more time for yourself and enjoy the scenery and beauty of Zaanse Schans.
Catharina Hoeve (Cheese farm)
You will see this Cheese farm in the middle of Zaanse Chans. It's a must to visit and experience how a traditional dutch cheese was being made. You can also attend a cheese-making demonstration if you like.
Aside from cheese-making, there's a wide range of cheese products that are for sale. Also, other dutch souvenirs like, syrups, cookies, snacks, magnets, keychains, perfume, lotions and many more.
There's a lot of shops that offers you different kinds of traditional dutch life, so, make sure to maximize your stay.
Of course, a perfect late lunch in Zaan river to complete our trip.
- Take a 15 minute train ride from Amsterdam Central station going to Koog-Zaandijk.
- A 10minute walk from Koog-Zanndijk station will lead you to the open air museum.
- There's a map board outside of the station that will guide you to Zaanse Schans, so you won't get lost.
Jordaan
You want to taste the real Amsterdam experience, then Jordaan is a must place to visit. This famous neighbourhood is tucked inside of central Amsterdam, that once home to the working class, immigrants, and known for its poor conditions. Now, it's converted in to a picturesque, charming, and with intimate atmosphere despite being a top tourist landmark.
With its beautiful canals and 17th to 18th century old preserved buildings, known as the dancing houses that are all crooked along the canals. It's great to walk around or rent a bicycle and enjoy the surroundings. Ditch the maps and just get lost! ;)
- Jordaan is just a 10-minute walk from Amsterdam Central station.
Most of us know about this young & brave girl Ann Frank, who has to go into hiding during World War II to escape from the Nazis for more than 2 years. She and her family was eventually discovered and sent to concentration camp where she died. This 15-year-old girl penned a journal that would become a best seller around the world. The Museum includes historical documents, photographs, images, and other things that are from those who used and lived with Anne during the war.
There's always a long queue outside the museum, so I suggest you better plan your visit ahead of time.
- The museum is just a 15 to 20 minutes walk from Amsterdam Central station, or 30 to 40 minutes on a slow pace.
- It is beside Westerkerk Church, along the canal of Prinsengracht street in Jordaan.
- The Anne Frank House is open daily from 9am to 10pm.
Marijuana Lollipop!
Of course our trip will not be completed if we're unable to try this guilty pleasures! Amsterdam is a magical drug wonderland. Drugs is everywhere in this dutch city.
Tulips Farm
During spring, Netherlands transformed into a magical sea of flowering tulip bulbs from mid March to May. Roughly 7 million Tulip bulbs are planted each year at comes with variety of bold colors. Bright red, pink and yellow are overwhelmingly gorgeous and are a must see!
Keukenhof botanical garden is known as the garden of Europe and the worlds largest flower gardens. A highly recommended activity for you if you're planning to visit the country during spring. April is the recommend month to visit. Too bad for us, it's almost summer when we got there.
Keukenhof botanical garden is known as the garden of Europe and the worlds largest flower gardens. A highly recommended activity for you if you're planning to visit the country during spring. April is the recommend month to visit. Too bad for us, it's almost summer when we got there.
- Unfortunately, there's no direct public transportation from Amsterdam. You will need to go back to Schiphol Airport.
- From Schiphol bus station, take the Keukenhof Express
- Find the bus number 858
- Travel time from Schiphol to Keukenhof is approximately 35 minutes.
The Netherlands has so much to offer, and Amsterdam is by far one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The romantic cruising around the canals or just wander around the city will leave you speechless. Hopefully this itinerary will help you in your future visit to this is charming, lively, yet old school country!
xxx
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