Amsterdam trip review

[marytini]

We returned from our trip to A'dam, London and Paris a few days ago. I feel like I'm already forgetting details. Anyways, I thought I'd post reviews for each city seperately. I am going to blog about it too, but that will be more detailed and take more time.
I'll post a link when I do.

We arrived early in the AM. Took the bus to A'dam. Dropped off by the Rijksmuseum. Since we were early, we walked to the I Amsterdam sign and took pics which was perfect, b/c any other time of day the thing is swarming with people.

Walked to our apartment and checked in. We stayed here [a href="http://www.prinx.nl/Welcome_to_Prinx_Bed_and_Breakfast_Apartments_Amsterdam[welcome].htm"]http://www.prinx.nl/Welcome_to_Prinx_Bed_and_Breakfast_Apartments_Amsterdam[welcome].htm[/a], and it was perfect. Good location, nice size with a little kitchenette area. The owner was nice too.

We slept for like 4 hrs, then got up and walked to the Dutch Resistance Museum, which was interesting. www.verzetsmuseum.org/museum/en/museum
Then wandered back, stopping at Wagamama for dinner, mostly b/c it was there and we were hungry.

Day 2, we met up with one of DHs grad school classmates who lives in Delft. We walked the city, stopping at the Begijnhof, Dam Square, took the free ferry to the North Amsterdam and back, had lunch, walked through the Red Light District.
We left her in the late afternoon, then went to the Ann Frank House. We had tickets purchased in advance for 5:40pm. We were let right in, no line(for anyone for that matter). I thought it was well done for the most part. The signage was small, so you had to wait to get close to read them, which wasn't a big deal while we were there, but I can't imagine what it's like when it is busier. The rooms seemed large to me, I think b/c there is no furniture in them.

Afterwards we went to Moeders for dinner. It was, good, but not fantastic. Mostly b/c it seemed like something we could make at home. But at least we tried Dutch food. www.moeders.com/pagina.php?m=14&p=14

Day 3, we took a countryside bike tour with Mikes Bikes. www.mikesbiketoursamsterdam.com/?p=10 I think this was one of my favorite things the whole trip. It was just relaxing, we had beautiful weather, the guide was great. We packed a lunch to bring, as it starts at 11 and last 3-4 hrs. Just a fun day.
Afterwards we decided to rent bikes for the last 1.5 days of our trip with the discount (1/2 off) for going on a tour. Let the adventure begin! Bikes have the right of way there, over everything but the tram, so it wasn't bad. It was quite fun actually. We rode back downtown, by the RLD, and around town in general.
Dinner at Billy Thai's which was good. DH had curry and enjoyed it. I just had fried rice with chicken and it was tasty. www.billythai.nl/default.html

Day 4, we packed a lunch and biked through Vondel park, stopping for some people watching, relaxing and a picnic. We also went to the Albert Cuyp market which was fun.
Early evening we checked out of the apt and bought train tickets to Hook of Holland to catch the overnight ferry to England.
I loved seeing the countryside on our way there, and we saw about 5 more windmills. I told DH I want a canal house too!

General thoughts/tips:
We did not buy a pass for the trams. We just bought single tickets, and probably only used it like 4 times total. If that.
Bikes are everywhere, you have to be careful to watch out for them and not stand in the bike lanes. I loved the whole bike culture.
I had wanted to go to the Van Gogh Museum, but DH wasn't feeling it. Which was ok, we ended up seeing some in Paris anyways.

A few favorite photos:

[hz80408]

Awesome! We looked at that apt when we considered our options in March. The countryside bike ride sounds fantastic. Looking forward to read/see more about your trip!

[sm12]

Thanks so much! We leave for London/Prague/Amsterdam in just over a week, so this was very helpful. (gotta go read your London review...)

We plan to do the Mike's bike tours, too. Looks like fun!