Did I mention that it was my birthday last week? Probably not on here but it was and Adam out did himself this year by organising a mini break to Amsterdam. I’ve been telling him that I would like to have a mini break for YEARS and it’s never quite transpired so this year I am buzzing to be heading to Amsterdam. I’ve never been to the city before other than for an airport stop over (and everyone of you who has done that stop over will be able to join me in the knowledge of the absolute PITA it is).
I have been researching and asking Instagram (the new google) where we should go and what we should book and the results are IN. I’ve started booking things now to avoid missing out as we go at the end of Feb, but I’m already so excited so I thought I would share with you my 5 things to do in Amsterdam. Once we’ve been I will follow up with what we actually did, my thoughts on it and what happened on the trip!
1.) Anne Frank House
It was pretty obvious that this would be top of the list isn’t it? When you think Amsterdam you think of Anne Frank and the diaries she wrote from that little house. For us this is an absolute must. I have a fascination with history and I can’t wait to see this part of it, despite knowing how truly sad it is. I have booked on the website which was recommended to me and is actually a must at the moment according to the site.
2.) Canal cruise
The canals of Amsterdam are a pretty huge part of it are they not? So there are loads of different cruises you can do up and down the canals. From evening dinner by candle light to your cruises that take you to other attractions. It’s a bit like a Thames cruise I guess, but not in our county so automatically cooler instantly right? We’re booking the light festival hour cruise because that is happening during our time there.
3.) The Van Gogh Museum
I don’t think you have to be a massive fan of Van Gogh art to want to go to this museum, it sounds day and everyone has recommended it. It was one of the places that Adam also said he would like to go to and that we both instantly knew would be a must.
4.) The red light district
Yup, we’re going here. I suppose it’s more of a bizarre fascination with the district than anything else. I’ve been forewarned by my friend Katy from Katy Kicker that whilst a peep show might sound like innocent fun, it’s a BAD idea because some of them are genuinely grim. I want to see what it is that makes Amsterdam so … unbritish and so open about sex – also, is it all women? Another example of misogyny or is it more balanced?
5.) Ice Bar
You must book for this, I went to book and we’re so lucky that we are there during the week because even then It was getting busy. Weekends were all booked up at the beginning of Jan for a lot of Feb during the really peak hours so it’s crucial you book. It’s basically a really cool bar made of ice! It’s come highly recommended, as had the rooftop swing but I don’t think we’re going to make it to that one.
H x
its a place ive not yet been but would lvoe to especially to visit anne franks house i bet its so interesting
Ive been to Amsterdam quite a few times as it’s really cheap from where I live. I still haven’t been to Anne franks house though! Need to go back and do it I think xxx
Amsterdam is one of my favourite city breaks in Europe, it’s such a beautiful place with so much to do x
Amsterdam has to be one of my favourite city breaks in Europe, there’s so much to see and do there x
I would like to do Anne Frank’s house and would love to do the look out swing too
I can’t wait to read about your trip to Amsterdam, your plans sound amazing. I’ve never been but almost everything on your list is what I want to see and do if I do ever get there.
Amsterdam is on my list of places to visit. I would love to see the Van Gogh museum and Anne Frank house
I have been to amsterdam a couple of times and the only one of those I have done is the red light discrict. That was quite the eye opener when I went the first time with my parents aged 10 haha.
I really want to visit the Anne Frank House. Caitlin studied her diary last year for their WWII project and despite having visited Amsterdam a long time ago I never got there. The Van Gogh museum is on my list too.
It sounds like you have a great plan, have a lovely time! The ice bar sounds particularly amazing and so does the canal cruise, what a lovely way to see it from a different view!
Great choices! Me and the boyfriend visited last year and I fell in love with the place. Really want to go back in the Summer.
I’d love to visit Anne franks house, how amazing, all the feelings that would overcome you, the stories and memories. Wow. It would be my dream to visit there.
I haven’t done the ice house but I have done the other three things. You should do the red light district museum as it’s an old brothel on the street and it’s so interesting x
Happy belated birthday! I love Amsterdam, we went to the Ice Bar while there x
I’m off to Amsterdam in May and I can’t wait to tick the Ice Bar off my bucket list either!
I love the sound of the ice bar – Looking forward to reading how closely you stuck to your plan. Happy belated birthday btw – and well done to Adam!
Happy birthday and have fun it sounds like a good list they would all be on mine if I was not going with kids so might change a few….
I was just talking about where I would go if I could go anywhere right now. And to my colleague’s surprise, I didn’t choose a beach holiday. But I did choose Amsterdam as one of my places to go. You see I have been there since the 90’s and I want to come back because I had a terrific time. I would also like to see how much it’s changed!
The only thing from your list that I did when I went to amsterdam was visit the red light district. I was very intrigued to see what it was like.
I didn’t even know there was a van gogh museum. Shows I must visit again!
Happy birthday! I will be flying to Amsterdam as well at the end of May, for a blogging conference which is in Rotterdam. But I will definitely take a day to visit Amsterdam, as I booked my flights 2 days before the start, so that I can do some sightseeing as well.
Ah me and my gals are going to Dam this year so I’ve sent this over to them to drum up the hype. You’ve got to do a canal cruise haven’t you? They look like just a good way to look around.
The family and I went on a city break to Amsterdam in 2016 and we all loved it. Enjoy your guided cruise, it’s a good way to see lots of the city’s attractions in one go. I hope you have a great time and thoroughly enjoy your mini-break!
Oh how lucky. I’d love to go to, I want to visit the sex museum I’ve seen snippets on TV and it looks very interesting. I love how they have this whole laid back approach to sex from what I’ve seen many European countries do. Hope you have a great time I’ve heard so many great things about Amsterdam x
Hope you have an amazing trip & happy belated birthday!
Thank you x