Amsterdam, Netherlands
Oh Amsterdam, how we miss you! Our week in Amsterdam started with a very warm welcome at the beautiful Hotel Esterea which is located along a canal in the heart of the city. The cobblestone streets and the old-world architecture transported us to a simpler time.
Bring your walking shoes! Walking was the best mode of transportation around the city. You could certainly rent a bicycle to get around however, as our tour guide pointed out, there is only one thing worse than all the locals riding around the city, which is tourists trying to navigate the city streets on a bike. The main mode of transportation in the city is surely the bicycle. They are everywhere and you would be wise to constantly watch for them. The streets are very narrow, and parking is limited so renting a car for a stay in the city is not recommended.
You will want to dive into the wonderful restaurants around the city. There are culinary offerings from various cultures, and every meal we had was delicious. Treat yourself to a four course, three-hour Italian meal with wine pairing at Incanto, you won’t be disappointed! Or for a more casual experience enjoy bitterballen, a local delicacy, at Dante Kitchen and bar. And don’t worry about the calories, you will walk them off on the way back to the hotel.
There are many museums within walking distance to put on your must-see list. The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum and the Moco Museum among others are all in the same area displaying traditional artists such as Rembrandt, as well as, contemporary and modern artists like Andy Warhol.
We can’t talk about Amsterdam and not mention the Keukenhof in Lisse. The stunning tulip gardens of the Keukenhof are breathtaking. The gardens are immaculately manicured, and care is taken with each bed of tulips or hyacinth. The tulips, in a multitude of colors, stretched in large swaths among a sea of green grass with water features adding to the picturesque gardens. Companions of “shutterbugs”, find a comfortable spot, it’s going to be a while!
Our Netherlands trip was everything we had hoped for and so much more! Our only regret was that we only had a week to take in as much of the Dutch culture as possible. Dank u Wel, Amsterdam for a wonderful trip!
“The only way to have a better world is to understand it. And the only way to understand it is to see it! ~ Vern Rekow, Jr.