Amsterdam, Netherlands

Scene from The Fault In Our Stars- Hazel Grace and Augusts on a Canal Tour

This week on The Road Most (Knowledgeably) Traveled, we are heading to… EUROPE! More specifically, my itinerary will be sending you to Amsterdam, Netherlands. Known for the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, Dam Square, the Canal Cruises, and the Red Light District, anyone can be amazed by the culture and history in this beautiful city. Fun Fact: many movies, such as Ocean’s Twelve and The Fault in Our Stars, were filmed in the streets and buildings of the city. Ready to hop on a plane and go? Use the itinerary below and start booking flights, hotels, and get tickets for the activities you’ll do while there.

Quick Fact: Amsterdam’s currency is Euros. Make sure you prepare to have to exchange your U.S. dollars into Euros before you plan to make any purchases.

How To Get There:

Since this is an international trip, the only way to get to the beautiful city is by flight. While there are multiple airlines we each like to go through, your flight will be roughly 13-14 hours long when leaving out of Pittsburgh so make sure you are prepared for a long flight. When booking your tickets, you should make sure to fly into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Flights can be expensive – with research I found that an average round trip flight can be a minimum of $600 and upwards of $1,000 depending on the airline and seat selection.

Where to Stay:

Hotel NH Collection Amsterdame Doelen

Hotel NH Collection Amsterdam Doelen: Located in the Red Light District, between Dam and Rembrandt Square, this hotel is a 15-25 minute walk from many of the attractions you will visit during your trip. It has multiple rooms with views of the canal, as well as restaurants and bars on the hotel’s main floor. Since it is a nicer hotel, on average you can get the “lowest level” room for roughly $250 a night. If you are looking for a cheaper option, there are multiple cheap but safe hostels and hotels around the city that are easy to find, such as the Generator Hostel Amsterdam ($83 a night).

Activities:

Must Dos:

1. 1. Canal Cruise: As a city that has canals and the Amstel River running through it, one of the best ways to see the city is through the canal cruises. Whether you take a an hour and a half evening night cruise or a seventy-five minute city canal cruise, you’ll get to see the history and beauty of the city in an all new way.
   2. Anne Frank House: Located along the Prinsengracht canal, enter the doors and get educated about Anne Frank and her family’s story as written in “The Diary of Anne Frank.” If you want an idea of what it is like to go through the house, it was featured in The Fault In Our Stars film.
   3. Leidseplein: As one of the most popular squares in the city, Liedseplein is filled with popular cafés, bars, night clubs, and restaurants. Perfect for a night out with friends!

      

   4. Royal Palace of Amsterdam: Also known as Paleis op de Dam, this palace is located in the heart of the city in Dam Square. Throughout the year it is used for royal events and traditions, so depending on when you travel you might be able to see Netherland royalty. Before going to the palace, make sure to check the open hours and see the tour availabilities – you will get to walk through the halls of the palace and feel like royalty.

      

While there are only four activities highlighted in the itinerary, there are so many more things to do during your stay. No matter your personal interests, you will surely find something to do each day. If you’re an art buff, head over to the Van Gough Museum, a building that holds 200 paintings of the Netherland’s famous artist. If you love shopping, go down to the “Nine Streets,” where you can find the best shopping experience offered by the city.

Amsterdam, Netherlands is a beautiful and historical city in Europe that everyone should add to their “travel bucket list.” Happy (early) Holidays and see you next week on The Road Most (Knowledgeably) Traveled.