Amsterdam was the last stop of my 2014 Europe vacation. As there was sufficient time during transit to explore Amsterdam, I left my luggage at the airport and took the train to the city for a day trip. The train tickets cost €4-4.50 one-way and there were many rides all day. Around Amsterdam, I got around on foot - it's a lovely city to do so. I visited during the World Cup season and the streets were awash in orange (even the left luggage people at the airport were catching the match and the flower market closed early). Oh, and the street cleaners were on strike.
My top things to do around Amsterdam:
1. Walk along and across canals and admire the architecture
2. Visit Anne Frank House
Prinsengracht 263-267, 1016 GV Amsterdam, Netherlands
http://www.annefrank.org/
There was an incredibly long queue despite being there before lunch, but it was worth the wait for a chance to walk though the cupboard. Free wifi close to the Haus made the wait slightly more bearable. Plan ahead and purchase tickets online to bypass the queue. No photography is allowed inside the House.
3. Buy stuff... like soap
Prinsengracht 294, 1016 HJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
http://www.savonnerie.nl/
I have gotten over my soap phase but they are mighty practical, environmentally friendly and fit snugly in luggage. La Savonnerie is a quaint little shop that I kept missing. The soap is more colourful than M&Ms and each shade smells different! After sniffing up and down the shop, I figured that I liked the blue range best.
4. Visit a local market
Albert Cuypstraat, Amsterdam, Netherlands
http://www.amsterdam.info/shopping/albert_cuypmarkt/
The Albert Cuyp Market attracts a mix of locals and tourists, so there's always something to delight. I had my first stroopwaffels but it was too sticky, gooey and sweet for my liking. Perhaps I should just go for the Waffels without the Stroop.
Angry stroopwaffel is angry.
5. See Art
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en
http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en
Given more time, I would have loved to visit the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. I peeked into the relatively new Rijksmuseum and it couldn't be more different inside. And there's the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art around Museumplein too. You can also keep an eye out for art around the city, such as the giant chess board with movable chess pieces.
Ah, one of the rare times travelling alone is inconvenient (It's also a long wait to get a decent shot).
7. Admire flowers
Singel 630 to 600. On the Singel canal between the Koningsplein and the Muntplein
Although you can't buy flowers or bulbs home from the Land of Tulips, it's fascinating to see what the only floating flower market in the world has to offer - a pretty eye opener!
8. Drop by the Begijnhof
Not much different from the Begijnhof in Brugge, except less the leisurely swans, this was also situated in the heart of the city, away from the hustle and bustle outside. I love the idea of community living, peaceful and meaningful community living.
Here's the map of Amsterdam I compiled for the day trip, with details from various online sources for your reference:
