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Amsterdam has always been at the top of my list of must-see places in Europe. I heard much about it and was adamant about seeing the canals and narrow houses for myself.
Shortly after arriving, I headed straight for the Anne Frank House, assuming the line would lengthen quickly. Unfortunately, I did not book tickets in advance and they were sold out. To see the hiding place of Anne Frank where she went to write her diary would have been an incredible experience. I suggest that anyone planning a visit to Amsterdam buy tickets in advance to ensure a visit.
Instead, I headed off to the flower market, which is definitely worth a visit. An array of tulips, Holland’s unofficial national flower, are for sale in nearly every color imaginable. Following the flower market, I paid a visit to Vondelpark, the largest park in Amsterdam, and the most well known in the Netherlands.
Renting a bike would have been wise prior to going to this massive park especially since bike rentals in Amsterdam are as cheap as $5.
Vondelpark is beautiful, relaxing and a great spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The park is conveniently located right next to the world-famous Van Gogh Museum. As its name implies, masterpieces by Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh are on display. I suggest buying tickets to this sought after museum in advance considering it is one of the 25 most popular museums in the world. A discount combo ticket can be purchased for museums in the Museum Quarter that includes the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.
After my visit to Vondelpark, I made my way to the other side of town where many of the canal cruises depart. Amsterdam offers a wide variety of boat and bus touring opportunities.
I opted for the one-hour boat tour. The canal tour takes you past some of Amsterdam’s famous landmarks, all while providing useful information and fun facts about the city. Did you know there are more bikes than there are people living in Amsterdam? I encourage everyone to view Amsterdam from the water; whether it be by a one-hour canal cruise or a 24-hour Hop on-Hop off cruise boat.
I stopped by the Waterlooplein Flea Market following the relaxing canal cruise. Great for souvenir shopping, the market sells everything from magnets and key chains, to shoes and shirts. The flea market is just down the road from Amsterdam’s infamous Red Light District.
My time in Amsterdam came to a close but made for an unforgettable day. It is a beautiful, well-kept city, making every walk a scenic one. While I made the most of my time in Amsterdam, there is plenty I did not get to do and see this time around. I am eagerly awaiting the day I make it back to Amsterdam.
Mannie Daly is an intern at Outdoor Recreation and the Marketing Office. She writes reviews on her trips each weekend. As Daly’s internship comes to an end, this is the conclusion of Mannie’s travels. Read about all of Mannie’s past adventures at kaiserslauternamerican.com.
