Hallo from Amsterdam, Netherlands!
We made it to Amsterdam in the late afternoon after what turned out to be our most expensive travel day yet. The Amsterdam Centraal train station is absolutely stunning—huge, clean, bright, and airy. And that’s just from the inside! The outside is just as impressive.
The train ride to Amsterdam was a scenic experience, with rolling green hills, fields full of wildflowers, iconic windmills, and of course, the famous tulips. As we exited the train station, we were greeted by a beautiful, bustling view of The River IJ, with taxis lined up along the station. We opted for a taxi ride instead of walking, as we were physically and emotionally drained from our time in London. A quick 15-minute ride later, we arrived at The Eden Hotel. Located along the canal, the hotel was modern, clean, and beautiful. It’s said that no two rooms are the same, and ours had a darker ambiance, while the bathroom was bright and inviting. The perfect space to either get ready for the day or immediately head to bed. After a quick bite at the hotel, we decided to call it a night, saving our exploration for the morning.
Standing out front of the Rijks Museum
The Rijksmuseum
We woke up feeling refreshed and excited for the day ahead. We had planned this day in advance, and it was going to be a busy one! A day of museums—nothing like a little culture to enrich the soul. Our first stop was the world-renowned Rijksmuseum, located in Museum Square, a park surrounded by incredible buildings, most of which are museums, of course.
We grabbed some breakfast at a cute local coffee shop before heading toward the famous “I amsterdam” sign. If you’re hoping for a solo photo here, make sure to get there early as it tends to be crowded. Our tickets to the Rijksmuseum were about $25 each, and totally worth it. We marveled at the works of Rembrandt (including the famous Night Watch), Vermeer, and Van Gogh. We spent about three hours in the museum, soaking in the masterpieces before moving on to our next destination.
The Van Gogh Museum
Next up was the Van Gogh Museum, which, surprise, was also located in Museum Square! This smaller but fascinating museum covers everything from Van Gogh’s early years to his death, and highlights the lasting impact of his art on the world. By the time we left, I felt like I really understood Van Gogh and his work—me and good ol’ Gogh? We go way back now.
The Moco Museum
The last stop on our Amsterdam museum extravaganza was the Bansky exhibit at the Moco Museum, a one minute walk from The Van Gogh museum. How convenient. We have been super into Banksy’s work since we first came across it, and we were so excited to finally see these pieces in real life. As much as I loved the Rijksmuseum, the Moco Museum stole the show. Bright, colorful, whimsical. It sucked me in. It was filled with bright colors, the interior resembling an old house. You went upstairs and downstairs, art being displayed over fireplaces. There were quirky and modern statues outside in the “backyard”. I like art that makes you think, makes you question the world. Gets you curious.
Inside the Banksy exhibit
Eat Like a Local
Dried flowers hanging from the ceilings
As I’ve mentioned before, the sight of beautiful things often makes me hungry—and this time, it was no different. We wandered the lively streets, searching for something to eat, and stumbled upon an outdoor market. The stalls were covered with canopies, and flowers—fresh and dried—hung from the ceilings. The atmosphere was unique and beautiful, with the air filled with the scent of flowers and fried food. It was the perfect spot to sit, relax, and people-watch. We enjoyed bitterballen, a fried ball of meat and cheese that’s deliciously addictive.
Local sampler plate
Wrong Impressions
Before visiting, I had some preconceived notions about Amsterdam. I imagined a city filled with people openly smoking weed, using drugs, and renting “ladies” for the night. But what I found was quite different. While we did see the Red Light District and some unusual sights, it wasn’t the spectacle I had expected. In fact, Amsterdam is one of the safest cities in the world. Police officers were greeted warmly by the locals, with people thanking them for their service. It was a refreshing contrast to what I’m used to, especially in the U.S.
The Amstel
Dutch apple pie
For our final night in Amsterdam, we dined at The Amstel restaurant, located along the Amstel River. We relaxed with a cold Amstel beer, enjoying delicious food and ending with the most incredible Dutch apple pie I’ve ever tasted. It was the perfect way to cap off our trip.
I honestly did not think I would enjoy this city as much as I did. I was nervous about the nightlife, and the pricing of everything. Now having been to Amsterdam, Netherlands, I cannot wait to come back. Some places you go, you can actually picture yourself living there. This was one of those places. Even now after having a child, I still feel exactly the same way. There is still so much to see and do here, and I can’t wait to come back. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy Amsterdam, but I was pleasantly surprised. I had concerns about the city’s nightlife and the cost of things, but now that I’ve been here, I can’t wait to return. There are certain places you visit that feel like they could be home—and Amsterdam is definitely one of those places. Even now, with a child, I still feel the same way. There’s so much more to see and do here, and I’m already planning my next visit!
Follow along as we go on the road trip of a lifetime!..
Pizza, Beer, and Football Fever
Necessary? No. Stop you dead in your tracks beautiful? Yes. As we wandered, the alleyway opened up to this huge square, and plopped us right in front of the Barcelona Cathedral, which is also known as The 
music, dancing, kids running around playing with giant bubbles. I could have sat there all day. We ordered our food, and yes, I cried (and years later I continue to get teary eyed) over the deliciousness of this food. Seth cried too. That is how seriously good this meal was. We ordered tuna tartar, and a parmesan fondue. Let me repeat that. PARMESAN FONDUE. Topped with roasted cherry tomatoes and a basket of bread. . Everything about this moment was perfect. I foresee myself saying that a lot on this trip. 
can tell that this place is old and rich in history. You can smell it..if that makes any sense. Damp and old, musty but lightly perfumed. Inside is spacious and airy with rows upon rows of pews, surrounded by hushed tones. You just get a feeling you can’t shake. 
