You know how sometimes you dream about going to a place for so long that when you show up, it simply can’t live up to the hype? We have all been there, right? Well, how about when it is the total opposite? That’s what happened to me with Amsterdam. Readers of this blog are very aware of my love for Amsterdam, but what they may not know is how far back it goes. Before I had even been to Amsterdam for the very first time, I had always just had a feeling I would love it there. We are talking years before I ever stepped foot in the Dutch capital. I wasn’t sure why, but whenever I had seen pictures of the canals and all the bicycles whizzing by with their baskets, it just felt like a place I would love and feel at home in.
When we finally arrived there last year, checked into our hostel, and went out exploring, I was a bit nervous. To my surprise though it turned out to be just as a magical place in reality as it was in my dreams. Don’t you just love good surprises? Now that I have spent over two months in Amsterdam, I figured I would write a blog about my favorite things to do there, so I hope you enjoy it and most importantly I hope you enjoy Amsterdam soon.
Putting A Ring On it
Even though I have now spent two months in Amsterdam, I still get chills when I come around a corner and see the tall and skinny homes that line the world famous and UNESCO World Heritage Site certified Amsterdam canal ring. After looking up at those buildings, I usually look down at the water flowing through the canal and marvel at how iconic the scene truly is. Seeing both never gets old, and I’m betting they won’t get old for you when you visit. I recommend a stroll through the ring of canals as your first activity in Amsterdam as it gives you the lay of the land and will provide you with plenty of picture opportunities. Then it’s time to head indoors for a while.
Day at the Museum
After you have explored the canal-lined streets, it’s time to head to the Rijksmuseum. First, admire its soaring gables and Neo-Renaissance Gothic style that just screams “The Netherlands”. Once inside, behold Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch” which is worth the price of admission alone. If you tire of Rembrandt, you can literally roll on your bike (without pedaling) to the Van Gogh museum, which is a stone’s throw away (hey, they don’t call it the Museum Quarter for nothing).
Healthy Pedaling
For a city that is known to some as a place where you go to pick up some unhealthy habits, I have always been struck at how healthy the living is for the locals there, and it’s time to join them in their best habit cycling. Renting a bicycle is the best way to see the rest of the city and as you pedal down the streets in the bike lane, you will see many organic cafes, street markets, and small cafes that all serve healthy, nutritious food. I usually feel healthier just stepping foot in the city, and I think you will too.
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