A few years back, ‘travel enthusiast’ was one of the bullet points listed on my dating profile, CV and social media accounts, and back then, it was true! I was swiftly working my way around Europe, exploring and adventuring in different countries, cities, towns and villages to get the sense of escapism that only travelling has ever fully been able to provide.
Lots of things have changed since then. I got married. I had a baby. And we just happened to live through a global pandemic. All things that stopped travel in its tracks, putting a pause on one of my favourite pastimes. But, over the course of 2022 – with things returning to some sense of normality – travel became an option again, meaning that my frequent visits to Skyscanner and Booking.com became an obsession once more. After a short hiatus, it feels only right then, that I return to writing about travel for SOCIALight Magazine!
I made a pact a few years ago, with my best friend, to jet off somewhere every year to explore a new place together. Leaving our other halves and our kids behind, the plan was to pick somewhere neither of us had been before and make a long weekend of it. We are similar in personality when it comes to travel – I know that sounds odd but stick with me – whilst we are very different in day-to-day life (she’s loud, I’m quiet, she’s extrovert, I’m not) when it comes to travel we are completely compatible. We both travel light (only hand luggage required!) We are both street-smart and savvy. We both like to feel we’ve ‘completed’ a place before heading home, often meaning we walk our feet off or until they bleed… and it helps that we also bloody love each other and can spend large quantities of time together in small spaces without going stir crazy – it’s a match made in heaven really!
We managed one trip to Berlin before the coronavirus put a stop to social mobility and so with 2023 harking a brand new start, we bagged ourselves flights to Amsterdam and made a weekend of it on a cold weekend in February.
As previously mentioned, we usually pick places neither of us has been to before. But, as someone who has visited Amsterdam many times (5 in total), I was keen to take her somewhere she hadn’t been before, and act as her tour guide. One of the reasons for this was that due to the amount of time that has passed since we last travelled, I’ll admit my confidence has been slightly impacted. It’s not often that I think about us as two women travelling solo, and wonder whether we’ll be safe. We have always felt very sure of ourselves, trusting that we are organised and prepared in our approach to travel and that we’re a dab hand at picking the perfect accommodation and selecting the best times to travel. But nonetheless, I find myself feeling slightly more apprehensive than I did pre-pandemic.
So, opting for a city I’ve spent quite a bit of time in, in all different seasons, we chose to go to Amsterdam. We picked a date close to Valentine’s and drew up an itinerary for our three-day stay. What’s nice about revisiting somewhere you’ve already been, aside from the familiarity, is that there is a lot less time spent on navigation. I was already armed with places I was going to take her and the best places to eat and drink.
As our first trip away in a long time, did it hit the mark? ‘Dam’ right it did! We explored every nook and cranny the city had to offer, tasted all of the culinary delights available to us and made sure to make the most of the 72 hours we had on the clock.
It’s helped ramp my confidence for travel back up, meaning that we’re already researching and planning our next trip… so watch this space.
Budget-friendly & free things to do
- Get yourself on a walking tour. This one was an absolute belter, the tour guide (Wally) was funny, personable and he kept the topics covered interesting. He gave us a locals insider view of living and growing up in Amsterdam, and 2.5 hours was the perfect amount of time to see all the most familiar landmarks right at the start of our trip.
- Browse the Bloemenmarkt, a floating flower market with all of the tulip bulbs you could ever get your hands on, in every shade you can imagine.
- Take a walk through VondelPark. It’s huge. Grab a Chocomel at one of the few cafes inside the park and enjoy the chirping of parakeets in the trees.
- Take a peek at the Red Light District – but you’re going to want to hurry, it’s not going to be around for long. Amsterdam has been planning to reduce the size of the red light district over the last few years, which they have done with success. It is a very small part of the city now, nestled away. In the next year or so, it will be gone altogether with plans to relocate it in a bid to ‘clean up’ the city and reinvent its reputation.
- See as much of the city as possible by getting a 24-hour tram pass for just 9 euros. Use it to visit Jordaan, the Jewish district, Westerpark and many more.
Add a taste of luxury to your trip
- If you are looking for something to remember, make sure you book dinner at Mojo. With stunning views over the canal in front of Centraal station, you can watch the sunset go down whilst ordering unlimited sushi. Yep, you read that right. It’s UNLIMITED. You’re given a tablet to order your ‘rounds’ of food, with 10 items per round. We’re talking maki rolls, sashimi, tempura, calamari, mussels, prawn skewers, curry and lots more. I would go as far as saying this is the best meal I’ve ever had… in my life.
- Whilst the boat cruises aren’t overly expensive, upgrade your experience by choosing one that provides wine and cheese tasting. Amsterdam has a great selection of cheese, and you’ll want to have a taste of it whilst you’re there. Pairing it with a boat cruise and seeing the city from the canals, is a great way to enjoy the experience.
- Get yourself to Luciens for breakfast to set you up for the day. It’s an authentic Amsterdam restaurant offering fresh pancakes, sandwiches and mini dutch pancakes…
Tourist favourites you won’t want to miss
- The Heineken Experience is undoubtedly one for the bucket list. Not only do you get to taste the product, but you get to find out how it’s made with interactive displays and a self-guided tour around the brewery. Finish the tour off in the Heineken bar where you can enjoy music and of course a glass of the beautiful gold stuff they make!
- Museumplein is a wonderful place to hang out, and if the museums aren’t your bag the market will be with a selection of street foods, jewellery stands and artwork to browse. If you do like a museum, the Rijksmuseum is a must-see – even if it is just to stand in front of ‘The Night’s Watch’ in awe of the sheer scale of it. A must-see for Rembrandt fans.
- Take the free ferry over to Amsterdam Noord where you’ll find the A’dam observatory building. You’ll see the entire city from the rooftop with some excellent panoramas on show, and enjoy a few drinks in the bar with the same spectacular views.
Top Tips:
Eat on the go to keep costs down – if you haven’t heard of FEBO, you’re missing out. I call it ‘flap food’ but these nifty little vending machines have delicious dutch treats on offer that are perfect for snacking on whilst you’re on the go. Choose from a selection of burgers, croquettes, fries, cheese souffle, Kippy sandwiches and hot dogs!
Watch out for the bikes – There are more bicycles in Amsterdam than there are people. Even when I was back on UK soil, the sound of a bicycle bell ringing made me look around swiftly for the source of the sound! There are dedicated cycle lanes (in red brick) marked out at the side of all roads and it is bicycles you should be looking out for before crossing the road. You’ll see bicycles lined up along the canals of Amsterdam as far as the eye can see, try joining in with the fun by hiring a bike to get around whilst you’re there – VondelPark is a great place to cycle too!
Marijuana – it’s not technically legal! – Whilst it is decriminalised, consuming weed is tolerated in Amsterdam, unlike other places. However, there are rules and etiquette surrounding smoking it. You can purchase less than 5 grams of it at a time and you should only smoke it in coffee shops or public places where it is permitted. If you’re looking at dabbling with cannabis, make sure you’re doing it correctly.
Explore further afield – fancy checking out other places whilst you’re in Amsterdam? Head to Rotterdam, a 40-minute train ride from Amsterdam, to visit Markthal and check out the famous cube houses. Or if you fancy something a bit more quaint, check out Haarlem, a 10-minute train ride from Amsterdam, featuring a cute and picturesque little town with a square.
