36 Hours in Amsterdam (Guest Post)
Truth be told, I’ve only spent 90 minutes in Amsterdam. And that was on a layover at the airport this spring when we flew home from Paris!
But my stepdaughter, Chelsea, recently enjoyed a whirlwind 36 hours in Amsterdam with her boyfriend, Allen. They absolutely loved Amsterdam, so I asked her to tell me…and you…all about it!
I know you will enjoy her guest post, and it may just inspire you to add Amsterdam to your travel wish list!
Guest Post, By Chelsea Shelburne
We had one week off before I started my new job, and I was craving adventure. I had my heart set on Paris – my head filled with sweet pastries, leisurely strolls and romantic cafes.
While exploring the possibilities of a spontaneous Parisian getaway, I noticed the most affordable flights stopped in Amsterdam. So, on a whim, with my budget in mind, I decided we’d spend a couple days in Amsterdam before flying home to Indianapolis.
And I am so glad we did!
Amsterdam is the perfect destination for go-with-the-flow travelers who don’t have the time or desire to plan!
I know this because we did not plan a single thing and knew very little about the city. (Truth be told, on our flight there, we realized we weren’t sure if Amsterdam was in Holland or The Netherlands, or both?)
With only 36 hours on the ground, we certainly didn’t experience everything this incredible city has to offer, but we soaked up as much as we could and can’t wait to go back for seconds.
Here’s why I fell in love with Amsterdam in just 36 hours.
Get in My Belly
I had no idea that Amsterdam offered such a variety of unique and delicious foods.
Poffertjes
Poffertjes are a traditional Dutch treat made from a pancake-like batter – they’re light and fluffy on the inside while golden on the outside. In short – they are divine.
I would go back just to order a dozen of these and eat them alone.
Stroopwafel
Imagine you have two crispy thin buttery waffles fresh off the griddle. You then take said waffles and drizzle a caramel honey syrup between them.
You’ve created a sweet crispy syrupy sensation otherwise known as Stroopwafel. It’s also a very fun word to say – give it a try!
By Foot, by Boat, by Bike
So many ways to enjoy this city!
It’s all about perspective and Amsterdam can give you many perspectives. You can see the city from the ground on foot, from a boat on the canals, or from a bike breezing through the streets.
Personally, I love to walk whenever I travel somewhere new. There’s something about being right there on ground level, really immersed in the energy of the city. Plus walking offsets all the stroopwafel and poffertjes, right?
So we walked quite a bit, and I’d recommend walking the city as much as you can. Though watch out for bikes! The city is filled with skilled cyclists who traverse their city each day with speed and agility.
Do. Not. Get. In. Their. Path.
We spent much of our day strolling along the canals, browsing the art galleries and sampling the sugary treats.
The city also boasts a fantastic public transit system. We had no issues at all taking the bus from our hotel into the city center. It was affordable, efficient and easy to navigate.
Museumplein
Our first stop in the morning was Museumplein. This well-known area –Museumplein –is literally a beautiful square of museums and concert halls.
The Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Stedelijk Museum all sit around a sprawling inviting lawn – a lovely place for an afternoon picnic.
I highly recommend visiting Museumplein even if you don’t step inside the museums. One of my favorite moments of our day was stretching out on the lawn and simply taking in the city all around us.
All in all – Amsterdam somehow manages to offer the excitement of a European metropolis with all the ease of a quaint village.
Oh and by the way, Amsterdam is a city in the province of North Holland in the country of the Netherlands! 😊
Have you been on an exciting vacation that you would like to share with Traveling Tanya’s followers? Just send an email to travelingtanyashelburne@gmail.com and your trip may be featured in the next Guest Post on TravelingTanya.com!
Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya
P.S. Be sure to subscribe to my email list (at the top of the screen) so you will never miss out on any of Traveling Tanya’s exciting excursions or travel tips!
