So back at the start of the pandemic, we had planned to go to Holland to see the Flowers and canals. Then everythign shut down and out flights and tickets were cancelled. As you well know it took some time to recover globally and even in 2021/22 it was till rife. We went to the States in 2023 and Spain. I recently asked if we were going to go this year? so we finally did!

Only for 4 days which was enough for us to to what we wanted to. It all depends on what you are intending to do and see. The Flower Gardens were the main attraction and for that, obviously needs to be in spring before May. I arranged time off work and we booked it. Not having any expectations i guess you can only be surprised.

We flew from City Airport our local one. Having never been there ever! it was super slick and our British Airways Flight was only 45 mins long. The Planes only hold about 100 people or so. Deffo felt like a Business person flying in a small plane like that. Classical music playing whilst we waited for takeoff. Got a snack, which was a salty pack of Crisps. Weird it takes me 35mins to get to work in central London, yet in 45 mins i can be in Europe!

The Airport Schipol in the Netherlands is enormous, felt like it went on for ever, walking to the baggage reclaim and customs for a passport stamp. And the shops in the Airport felt like a mini mall! After getting our cases we headed to the train station to catch a train to Amsterdam Central. This is a first as we always have a Car or on a Coach dropoff etc. You get a Ticket from the Machine and it is a bit like our Oystercard but one off use. You tap on the reader before and after. The Trains are huge and wide not like the Trains at home, far less Doors and more seating. We got one and off we were, About 20 mins probably. The station at the other end is also enormous with Trains, Trams, Buses, Ferries. Its architecture reminds me of St Pancras and really similar to arriving in the West End of London on Oxford Street bustling city Centre with Shops, Cafes and Restaurants.

Make sure you have directions to where you are staying, we got lost with the basic ones we had. Was supposed to be 40mins walk, we took a wrong turning but eventually found it Hotel Ibis Styles in Amstel. It is easy to get lost when the Bridges and Canals look similar and houses along the Canal. Even though it was early we lost an hour with the time difference. I got a bad headache and had to rest so only ended up with a cheese roll from the Lidl next to the hotel.

The hotel room was no lie in the attic with the steepest ridiculous stairs i have ever seen, we struggled to get up let alone with the suitcases. It became apparent it was not good and we requested to change rooms. One was available the next day so they moved us down to the 2nd floor from the 4th. I made a video on my insta of the Stairs ( @adampastryguy ) and a pic, the new room was much better, plus they left water bottles each in the room for us each day, which was nice. Their was a safe and bathroom supplies in the room but no fridge. The Tv was near the ceiling and was missing the Romote in the 1st room

The city centre was full of Shops, Bars, Questionable souvenirs and places selling Magic cookies and related goodies if you are curious to try them there! Once we were at the Hotel it was a pleasant walk back into town to mooch around and get something to eat. We were only there for 4 days but felt like we got what we needed to do. Their are other attractions Ice Bar, Madame Tussauds, Ripleys, Rembrandt Museum, Van gough Museum, Canal river cruise,Flower Gardens and more.

There were plenty of Trams going from town around the city, one did pass our hotel, but there was nowhere to get a ticket nearby only online or in town so we walked. Look into that if you are not into walking, though good to see more by foot as you walk past places and over bridges.

DAY 1 OR 2

We went to visit the Flower Gardens of Keukenhof via a tour operator coach 1030.You have to take the free ferry across about 5mins to get to the pickup place. The trip was about 45mins and never been on a 2 tier level coach before, suppose it is like a double decker Bus really. Once there you can explore at your own pace and then take the coach back whenever. We were at the Gardens which are so beautifully colourful. Such vivid colours of Tulips and displays around. It has been going for over 75 years. Did not seem real at times the setting. There was a lot of people, but did not feel we could not walk round freely and look. Took a lot of pictures. and we had our 1st Dutch dish a Dutch Apple Pie with a coffee or Tea served in a Glass cup? There were greenhouses with displays and indoor areas with Orchards and other Flowers. We probably spent about 2 hours or so there. Got the Coach back and we had a look around town and a bite to eat.

CUISINE

Not sure what to expect as Dutch cuisine except Stroopwaffles and Frites with Sauce. Did see many familiar places to eat like Mcdonalds and Burgerking, Dunkin Donuts, Subway, Kfc, New york pizza?

But wanted to try as much different foods as i could so tried the different menu items in Mcdonalds. Stroopwaffle Mcflurry, Coconut Shakes, Paprika Mcshaker fries, Honey Mustard Chicken Burger etc and of course Dutch Cheese Gouda!

Do try any local cuisine you can fresh Stroopwaffles, Frites cones with sauce etc

Most of the different foods i came across were from Albert Heijhn a chain of Supermarkets around town. Picked up a lot of different snacks and treats to try in the Hotel room and bring home. Lidl also had some different Cheeses and bakery goods i got to try. These supermarkets have a scan your receipt to exit. They are mostly card forward and not so much cash. I took Cash but spent most on the card, as cash was not preferred payment in most places. So bare that in mind when getting currency. There was plenty of Cheese shops, but they seemed pricey at almost 15 euros a round so left those in the shop.

DAY 2/3

We went to the Van Gough Musuem a short walk from our hotel, luckily much easier than our trip finding the Hotel day 1. You get a time slot and they do limit tickets each day. They do make you store bigger bags in free lockers. There is a gift shop and cafe before you go in. Had to get this Vincent Van Gough Playmobile figure, only available there, they also had a set with his room. the museum is split over 3 or 4 floors and there is a lot to see. Bear in mind it will be crowded, you can pay extra for an audio commentary headset we did not bother and just walked round. It is filled with Paintings from influences for his work from other artists, sketches, items and stories about his life. Including the famous Sunflowers and Iris Flowers, His room and many others. Starry Night though is not actually here but in New York Metropolitan Art Museum as they own it. Their are lifts if you struggle with walking up the Stairs. Projections on the walls in the entrance gallery. Very interesting look around for a few hours. You could spend much more time there if you have the audio guide.

CANAL CRUISE

After the Museum trip in the morning we had the Canal cruise in the Afternoon around 3.00pm, we walked back into town and to the riverfront and got the boat, they have free headphones with different languages. It was 1 hour of history and seeing all the sights of the Canals and Bridges, which you could so easily get lost in. Saw houses along the front sinking and elaborate front fascades. They drop you off back at the Dock and then we had another look around town. So many sidealleys and shops around.

Mum swears she saw a window with 2 woman siting in it, i never saw it, did see a few sex shops and a sex museum entrance 10 euros. Plenty of places to get high with the Space Cookies and etc with many shops having for some reason, an Alien smoking a joint? i will say i did smell often that smell about town, as it is legal, suppose it is like cigarette smoke in that respect. Not for me but bear that in mind, when you least expect it walking along the streets.

SHOPPING

Amsterdam Centraal yes spelt like that, is like a bustling city centre, did surprise me a sit was hammered with people everywhere. Many shops you know from here even a 5 yes 5 level Primark and Tkmaxx next door, of course we went in. Actually great place Primark to get souvenir T shirts for Amsterdam only 3.50 and hoodies/bags etc. Zara, Holland and Baratt, Lego store, C&A ( mega throwback there) Lindt shop and many more. Hema which used to be in the UK was there, got some good snacks in there. My Suitcase was suitably stuffed with food snacks and a few souvenirs too.

LAST DAY

We checked out the Hotel at 11am our flight was 6pm ! so we had a look around town and then made our way back to the Airport. Get your ticket at the machine and head to the Platform, for trains going to Shippol Airport, might not be direct via other destinations like we got. There is a 2nd or 1st class ticket option.

THOUGHTS AND TIPS

It was a short trip but still a good one, experiencing different foods and culture. English is spoken quite easily and most self service tills have English as an option. It is very card forward less cash. PLUS CHARGE FOR THE TOILETS IN MCDONALDS! 50c ! and other places to check before you need to go, you might have to pay by cash or card ! i saw a turnstile near the canal cruise for a Toilet was 1 Euro!

Deffo have a map or Googlemap with you for directions, easy to get lost down an alley or wrong turn with basic directions. There are lots of Tourist shops, where you can buy tickets for attractions and Tram tickets along the highstreet shops. Not everything in the Supermarkets is self explanatory and of course in Dutch! so maybe have Translate or have a good look if you have any allergies. I have one to Almonds so saw it was Amandelen on labels.

The weather was nice when we got there and for most of the time, some light Rain on the day we went to the Flower Gardens and a Night, a little on the last day early.

I personally found it best and more exciting, just exploring the shops without looking too much at what was around on Google. But definitely plan your trips and excursions in advance! Take some water with you in a bottle as there will be a lot of walking around! It does depend who you are with and what you want to do around town, visit the red light district or magic shops lol clubs, bars, museums etc.