AMSTERDAM - GRACHTEN, HERENHUIZEN EN DE ROS

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A very lively city, Amsterdam is the capital and most populated city in The Netherlands (formally known as Holland). Farmers settled here as long as three millennia ago, and pottery dating back to 2,200 BC has been found here. The medieval canals are still active today, and part of what Amsterdam is known for.

The people in Amsterdam are super friendly. They speak English, often with thick Dutch accents. Their idea of breakfast seems the same on a menu, but trust me, order the bacon WELL done. The restaurants we ate at were great, the service excellent. While we weren't able to get into the Anne Frank house, it's on my list for next time.

Amsterdam is famous for a few things (and no, I don't mean the herbal type), but tulips have to be one of the biggest.  In March you can witness the tulip fields in bloom, or go to the annual Tulip Festival from March-May each year.

1. Visit the Anne Frank House or take a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter. Tickets for the house tour are issue online on Tuesday for the upcoming 6 weeks, and they go fast.  Keep in mind there are lots of stairs and they're a bit claustrophobic.

2. Cruise the canals and relax on a clear day.

3. Take one of the many tours available for a visit to the Dutch countryside to see the famous windmills.

4. Take a stroll through the also famous Red Light District.  

5. Join one of the pub crawls through the Red Light District (a blast!).

6. Explore the Van Gogh museum.

7. Take a cheese and wine boat cruise.

8. Go to the coolest (literally) venue in town, the ICE BAR.

9. Enjoy the Heineken Experience.

10. Take a walking food tour.

GET YOUR GUIDE: https://www.getyourguide.com/amsterdam-l36?tripItemId=89712&partner_id=9B7YGSE&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=Amsterdam

VIATOR: https://www.viator.com/Amsterdam/d525-ttd?pid=P00174325&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=Amsterdam

You can also hop over to my Attractions & Tours Ticket page for discounted tickets from TIQETS.

A 5-hour pub crawl through the Red Light District was the MOST fun! It's a rowdy, but friendly group and the hosts are really helpful and interactive. The bars selected were great and walking through the District was a hoot. We got our tickets on Viator at a very affordable rate, which included shots throughout the night poured directly into your mouth by one of the hosts.  We were easily the oldest of the large group but you'd never know it by the way we were treated (or the way we acted).