It finally happened. I was finally planning our long cherished dream to travel Europe. Sponsored by my hubby's long hours of hardwork! All I had to do was plan it out. 'All I had..', all turned out to be a little too much! Yes, the internet is full of information, but you can easily be overwhelmed. Which country to visit, which part of the country, which museum, which park, which hotel...! We didn't want to take the pre-fixed tours and tag along some guide mindlesssly. We wanted to explore, feel and live the countries and cultures. We wanted to get lost and find out for ourselves where we'd got lost! And we did exactly that. And just as I got information from so many blogs, (wish I had noted them down, would've personally thanked), I would like to add mine.
Though the time is always less, so you wouldn't want to be lost forever! Take these tips and enjoy...
Amsterdam:
Am so glad we chose this destination. It's amazing. Very picturesque and different. We went by the KLM airlines. The staff is friendly, though a bit dishevelled! Took off and arrived on time. A Direct Rail Link connects Schiphol International Airport to Amsterdam central station and is the fastest and most convenient way to get to the city center. Trains run every 10 minutes (airport train schedule) from platforms 1 and 2 in the main arrival plaza The information centre at the airport is very good. You can do most of your sight seeing bookings there itself. Though hotel reservations should be done in advance to avoid any last minute hassles. We stayed at Hotel Princenhof, princengratch.http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotel_Review-g188590-d238566-Reviews-Prinsenhof-Amsterdam_Noord_Holland.html 'Gratch' is a canal in Dutch. Very decent stay. A typical Dutch home, good hosts and great breakfast. Found out after a lot of research on 'Trip Advisor'.
Things to do in Amsterdam:
1. Keukenhof
A must see for everyone. http://www.keukenhof.nl/A mind boggling array of flowers, tulips, lillies, etc, depending on the season. Though it opens only from mid March to mid May. Check out the exact dates. Buy the combo tickets for the bus as well as the garden to avoid the lines (at the airport itself). You 'll require about 4 hours in all.
2. A trip to Volendam, Marken and windmills
A perfect trip to see exactly what Amsterdam pictures show. http://www.amsterdamcitytours.com/Very beautiful. Marken, the fishermen's village is more than picture perfect.
3. Sandeman's free walking tours
This should ideally be done before anything else so that you get the hang of the city. We had planned this but unfortunately couldn't take it. Going by the reviews, I would suggest it. 3 hour tour. Meets daily at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm next to the Tourist Information Center, which is directly in front of Centraal Staation .
4. Anne Frank House
http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?pid=1&lid=2Adults: euro 8,50 Age 10-17: euro 4,- daily from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Saturdays from 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM. A very humbling experience. The house in which the family hid is untouched and loaded with information by means of videos and pictures. Absolutely must go.
5. Van Gogh Museum
http://www3.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?lang=enAdults: € 12.50, 13-17 years: € 2.50 Opening hours, Museum: daily 10.00 to 18.00, Friday 10.00 to 22.00. Even if art doesn't interest you much, you must go. After a visi, you develop the interest! It's wonderful.
6. Rijksmuseum
http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/ Adults: € 11- 18 and under: free Your visit to Amsterdam would be incomplete without a vist to this museum.
7. Vondelpark
We sat there and watched Dutch life all around us. The rich, the not so rich, the ordinary, everybody hanging around. Very serene surroundings and people enjoying with their families. A treat for the eyes.
8. Canal cruise
You can take the most inexpensive one and yet enjoy the roads and canals intertwined. http://www.amsterdamcanalcruises.nl/index_uk.html
Shopping in Amsterdam
1. The typical Dutch clogs and Gouda cheese for sure.
2. Hema their national chain has intersting things to buy. Their nail paints were great!
The regular branded stuff is also there in places like the V & D and De Bijenkorf, etc.
Eating in Amsterdam
Absolutely must have. Potato chips and mayonnaise. Fresh fish and chips. Pancakes. Febo food. Pre-packaged sandwiches and salads available at supermarket food aisles. Especially 'fromage walnut salad'.
Though the time is always less, so you wouldn't want to be lost forever! Take these tips and enjoy...
Amsterdam:
Am so glad we chose this destination. It's amazing. Very picturesque and different. We went by the KLM airlines. The staff is friendly, though a bit dishevelled! Took off and arrived on time. A Direct Rail Link connects Schiphol International Airport to Amsterdam central station and is the fastest and most convenient way to get to the city center. Trains run every 10 minutes (airport train schedule) from platforms 1 and 2 in the main arrival plaza The information centre at the airport is very good. You can do most of your sight seeing bookings there itself. Though hotel reservations should be done in advance to avoid any last minute hassles. We stayed at Hotel Princenhof, princengratch.http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotel_Review-g188590-d238566-Reviews-Prinsenhof-Amsterdam_Noord_Holland.html 'Gratch' is a canal in Dutch. Very decent stay. A typical Dutch home, good hosts and great breakfast. Found out after a lot of research on 'Trip Advisor'.
Things to do in Amsterdam:
1. Keukenhof
A must see for everyone. http://www.keukenhof.nl/A mind boggling array of flowers, tulips, lillies, etc, depending on the season. Though it opens only from mid March to mid May. Check out the exact dates. Buy the combo tickets for the bus as well as the garden to avoid the lines (at the airport itself). You 'll require about 4 hours in all.
2. A trip to Volendam, Marken and windmills
A perfect trip to see exactly what Amsterdam pictures show. http://www.amsterdamcitytours.com/Very beautiful. Marken, the fishermen's village is more than picture perfect.
3. Sandeman's free walking tours
This should ideally be done before anything else so that you get the hang of the city. We had planned this but unfortunately couldn't take it. Going by the reviews, I would suggest it. 3 hour tour. Meets daily at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm next to the Tourist Information Center, which is directly in front of Centraal Staation .
4. Anne Frank House
http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?pid=1&lid=2Adults: euro 8,50 Age 10-17: euro 4,- daily from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Saturdays from 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM. A very humbling experience. The house in which the family hid is untouched and loaded with information by means of videos and pictures. Absolutely must go.
5. Van Gogh Museum
http://www3.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?lang=enAdults: € 12.50, 13-17 years: € 2.50 Opening hours, Museum: daily 10.00 to 18.00, Friday 10.00 to 22.00. Even if art doesn't interest you much, you must go. After a visi, you develop the interest! It's wonderful.
6. Rijksmuseum
http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/ Adults: € 11- 18 and under: free Your visit to Amsterdam would be incomplete without a vist to this museum.
7. Vondelpark
We sat there and watched Dutch life all around us. The rich, the not so rich, the ordinary, everybody hanging around. Very serene surroundings and people enjoying with their families. A treat for the eyes.
8. Canal cruise
You can take the most inexpensive one and yet enjoy the roads and canals intertwined. http://www.amsterdamcanalcruises.nl/index_uk.html
Shopping in Amsterdam
1. The typical Dutch clogs and Gouda cheese for sure.
2. Hema their national chain has intersting things to buy. Their nail paints were great!
The regular branded stuff is also there in places like the V & D and De Bijenkorf, etc.
Eating in Amsterdam
Absolutely must have. Potato chips and mayonnaise. Fresh fish and chips. Pancakes. Febo food. Pre-packaged sandwiches and salads available at supermarket food aisles. Especially 'fromage walnut salad'.
1 comment:
Hi Jammy! I'm sorry if u feel I've annoyed u in anyway by going thru ur blog without permission. But it happened just by accident that it came on my computer screen and I just cud'nt resist going thru' after seeing that u're a trainer in life skills. Actually I also happen to be a visiting faculty in a Delhi based B'School, and also hold workshops on Memory Skills and Time Management. But am still oblivious of the concept of life skill management. Is is somewhat related to the 'Art of Living'? I'd be grateful if u cud elaborate. u can reach me on my email id: sandeepjain77@gmail.com
Thx
Dr. Sandeep Jain
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