Travel is one of my favorite things to do! It’s amazing to meet new people and be introduced to new languages, foods, and create new experiences. Visiting Amsterdam was one of the most memorable journeys. It is a beautiful and unique city. Europe is a must have, if you’ve never traveled and planning a trip to Amsterdam. You won’t regret it. I was so excited to be there from the first moment I saw the iconic, “I Amsterdam” sign.
BLENDStyles Guide To Visiting Amsterdam
During my work trip and while visiting Amsterdam, I did take time to visit some main tourist attractions. As a matter of fact, this also provided me the opportunity to soak in the beauty of the city and culture. One thing I noticed from the first day, was how many people were riding bikes. Bike riding is the main means of transportation for most people in the city. Not to mention, parents even ride with babies and small children.
Amsterdam Canal Tour
One of the first things I suggest doing in Amsterdam is taking a canal tour. It’s a great way to get an overview of the city. Most canal tours will take about an hour, and are very similar to a hop-on and hop-off bus tour. The main purpose is to experience the boat while it travels the canal listening to the tour guide provide an overview of the city.
During the canal tour, my coworker and I learned a lot about Amsterdam. We traveled the main canal ring, which is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The tour took us past amazing architecture. We saw some of the oldest buildings in Amsterdam, including Old Church, which was built in the 13th century and stands in the heart of the Red Light District. Many of the canal tours will take you through this famed section of the city, as it’s one of the most historic areas.
The Heineken Experience
Let me confess, I am a beer girl. Therefore, I couldn’t pass up one of Amsterdam’s most traditional beers, Heineken. The first brewery was established in Amsterdam in 1864, and has turned this original brewery building into an interactive museum. How cool is that?
When you first enter the Heineken Experience, you receive a green Heineken bracelet. Following, you’re given the opportunity to walk through the building and bottle your own beer, make a Heineken video, ask staff questions, and drink beer. Can’t pass up a Heineken! One thing I learned was Heineken is made with 4 natural ingredients, including water, barley, hops, and Heineken “A” yeast. I’m a calorie counter, so I appreciate that Heineken is a low-calorie beer. Ha! Go early if the The Heineken Experience is on your agenda. It’s a self-guided tour, and it can get extremely crowded later in the day.
The Anne Frank Museum
The Anne Frank Museum was hands down one of the most emotional attractions I visited. I walked the tour with a coworker, and we stood in line for about an hour to get tickets, but was well worth the wait.
We walked through the original building where Anne and her family hid before they were taken by the Nazis. It was a very emotional and powerful experience. As I stood there, it was hard to wrap my mind around living through anguish while other people were able to eat, sleep, and breathe in a free world. At times life can be taken for granted.
We were taken through the Annex in a single file line because the stairway was extremely skinny. As we progressed through the Annex, Anne’s quotes were posted throughout the Museum.
“Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.” – Anne Frank
I couldn’t help trying to put my 14-year old self in her place. When I was that age, my home was full of light. I thrived on it, in fact, each day I would open up all of the blinds to bring in even more light! Yet, here was Anne and her family living with very little windows and furniture, hiding every day and keeping as silent as possible.
“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.” – Anne Frank
I can’t imagine living in these conditions. Yet in that place, Anne quietly wrote things like:
“How wonderful it is that nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”– Anne Frank
She must have truly transcended her circumstances. She found the light within to help survive in this place and pen such beautiful words in her diary.
You actually get to see Anne’s red and green checked diary on display along with her Favourite Quotes Notebook. Anne saved quotations she liked and a collection of her short stories. At the end of the tour we watched a heartfelt film and given the opportunity to sign the guestbook. People from all over the globe were inspired to share their emotions and feelings of hope. The museum is surreal and really puts life in perspective.
The Anne Frank museum is open every day, but it’s a good idea to check if you need to reserve tickets online. There is quite a bit of construction happening and ongoing renewal projects in the space. Some days the amount of visitors are restricted.
Visiting Amsterdam was an amazing experience for me, and I hope to go back one day soon. Have you ever been? Share your Amsterdam stories in the comments.
xoxo,
BLENDstyles