The weekend getaway to Amsterdam is one that has been thought of for a few years now and at the end of February I managed to tick off Amsterdam from my travel bucketlist. I have always wanted to go to Amsterdam and not just via transit but actually get to see the city and explore it. Granted I didn’t know much about the city (and still don’t) but it’s a city I had wanted to visit and it was emphasized when I met someone who later became a good friend of mine.
I have already shared how I planned on traveling to Amsterdam, you can check out my post on Howto plan for a 10+ hour bus ride to Amsterdam. Yes you read correctly, 10+ hours, I chose to travel via bus for 2 reasons: Adventure and affordability. I know many people don’t like bus rides and for that long not many would even consider it but for me it’s truly an adventure and one I enjoyed. Affordability, you would think living so close to Amsterdam it would be cheap(er) but it is not. If you took the Eurostar to Brussels then train to Amsterdam that is already £100+ one way, a return would be over £200+ and since all my travel are budget travels so I have to be smart with my money.
Now that is done with, here is how the weekend getaway to Amsterdam went.
We left London around 21:30 and reached the ferry in Dover just before midnight. The bus was loaded onto P&O ferries and we had chance to sit on deck where we tried to snooze but it didn’t work, 70 minutes later we were off the ferry and in France. I can’t tell you what happened between France and entering Amsterdam as we fell asleep until the morning around 6am. We arrived at Sloterdijvk station just gone 8:30 where we used the toilets to freshen up (brush teeth and wash face) and get changed. We had arranged to meet my friend around 10:30 but since we had over an hour to burn we sat down in Starbucks for some hot chocolate. We had all packed plenty of snacks but I still wanted a cake from Starbucks. Afterwards we met up with my friend who took us to a lovely pancake place somewhere near her work place. Since we were starved we wanted omelets than pancakes but my friend had some delicious pancakes.
Left to our own devices because my friend had to go to work we went about exploring Amsterdam. My girls insisted we visit Red City and I will say this once NEVER AGAIN. Red is for danger I should have remembered that as red city is dangerous and not the violence type it’s the sex district. Naked women displaying themselves in glass windows was honestly not the sight I was looking for, they had sex cinemas (yes exactly that). It was not my taste to say the least and it’s a part of Amsterdam I would be happy not to see again.
After my girls curiosity was over and done with we headed to another side of the city to see the Anne Frank museum where we stumbled upon a souvenir store which like most stores there only saw cannabis flavored EVERYTHING. It was off putting but interesting too. We managed to find the Anne Frank museum but it had the longest queue ever so we decided to walk around the town instead do our own exploration until it was time to head back to Sloterdijvk Station for our bus to Brussels, Belgium. I will be sharing my weekend getaway to Brussels shortly on the blog.
Travel tips: Navigating Amsterdam is pretty easy, just figure out where you want to go and then use the trams which are efficient and on time. The cost as little as 1.20 euros to travel on them for an hour but you have an offer to choose a 24hr travel pass or even longer.
RaNesha W says
Sounds like an amazing trip. I have always wanted to visit New Amsterdam, but 16 hours on a flight scars me.
Miranda says
Awww bless, it is a long time to be honest but I love it anyway
Fi Ni Neachtain says
Amsterdam is my favourite city, I love it there so much. We always have to fly there, living in Ireland but you certainly had an adventure getting there! 🙂
Miranda says
It’s a beautiful city and yes I am fortunate to live on the mainland and able to get there by bus
Echo says
I would love to visit Amsterdam some day! Well, all of Europe, actually! The longest bus ride I have ever taken was 26 hours!
Miranda says
Wow 26hrs that’s awesome and you should visit Europe is an amazing continent
rika says
I have never been to Amsterdam! I love Europe and just visited Spain last 2 weeks ago
Miranda says
How awesome, I need to visit Spain again
Tammilee Tips says
I love Amsterdam I have been a couple times. There is so much to see and do there, looks like you had an amazing getaway there.
Miranda says
Yes it was an amazing adventure, it is a beautiful city
Kathy says
Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I have always wanted to go to Amsterdam. I think it would be a great place to visit. That food looks amazing too!
Miranda says
It’s an amazing place to visit definitely should check it out
Kara says
I don’t envy a 10 hour bus journey and would avoid red city like the plague. I would like to visit Amsterdam though
Miranda says
Hahaha it is not for the faint hearted lol
Debbie @ Refresh Restyle says
Looks like you girls had a great time, minus the red district, I did’t know that existed! It always feels great to check one off the bucket list!
Miranda says
We did thanks and yes it’s always awesome when you tick something off the bucketlist
Adrienne says
Looks like a good time. Amsterdam is on my travel bucket list. It must be so nice being able to jump on a short flight to get there. I don’t have the luxury here in the states. )o: All European destinations are so far.
Miranda says
Awww bless but do you know what you have! Plenty of states, Canada and South America which I am jealous of lol
Ashley Steer says
Amsterdam is on my travel bucket-list as well! What a great post; I can’t wait to see Amsterdam some day myself!
Miranda says
Thanks Ashley I hope you get to see it soon, it’s beautiful
Angelic Sinova says
How fun!! When I go to Europe (Paris + London) in April I have a half day little layover in Amsterdam! There seems like so many fun things to do there <3
Miranda says
You should definitely go visit the Anne Frank museum since you love Museums
Karina says
Amsterdam sounds so fun! I love that you decided to take the bus to make the trip more affordable, and you are completely right about how it makes it more of an adventure. Btw, Those pancakes looked AMAZING!
Miranda says
Hahaha thanks, it was an adventure of a life time and one I am happy to do again
Elizabeth O says
Sounds like you had a pretty decent time of it in Amsterdam. Reading your post brought back good and not so pleasant memories of my trips there… It is a city with a lot of beauty, history and it’s own shade of ugly. 🙂
Miranda says
Thanks and sorry about the unpleasant memories. Yes Amsterdam is as you said beautiful full of history but also a shade of ugly
JENN says
THat is one place that I want to visit ONCE. I think, like you, I may be horrified! What a great experience though!
Miranda says
Apart form Red city district the rest of Amsterdam is spectacular
Valerie Robinson says
I’ve never been to Amsterdam, but it sure looks cool. The food looks great! Love the pics
Miranda says
Thanks so much
Lilinha says
I’ve only been to Amsterdam once, and it was over 10 years ago. I look forward to going back soon! 🙂
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Miranda says
It’s a beautiful place isn’t it
Melanie says
OMG that sounds awesome! I know the red light district is not a place for kids, but it is so famous. At least you can say you saw it. And now you never have to do it again. It’s kind ofnthe same way I feel about mardis gras in New Orleans. Never again!
Miranda says
Hahaha definitely not for kids and yes once is enough
Michelle says
I would love to visit Amsterdam now that I know there is so much more to it than the Red Light District. I have never been on a long bus trip, but I do like to save money too!
Miranda says
It’s a beautiful city and no it’s not all red light district
Rachel says
Amsterdam is one of my absolute favourite places to visit, there is just so much to see and do x
Miranda says
That there is and I can’t wait to head back and see more
Deborah Nicholas says
I loved Amsterdam and we went on a river cruise with pancakes etc. Went to see the red light district too and yes once is enough!!
Miranda says
Hahaha yep once is enough, I want to go on a cruise next time I am there
Georgina says
Amsterdam is somewhere I would love to visit (not the red part though…). Those pancakes look crazy delicious too!
Miranda says
Hahaha the red part is a no no for me in the future too
Tabitha Willette says
My sister went o her honey moon. I have always wanted to go it looks like so much fun.
Miranda says
Awww how cute, it’s a beautiful city all in all
Pam says
Amsterdam has always been somewhere I want to visit. Those pancakes look really fluffy and delicious! I don’t think I would visit the Red District though.
Miranda says
I won’t dare go back to the red city will go back to see other places in Amsterdam for sure
Hannah Budding Smiles says
Oh I love Amsterdam! The Anne Frank museum and the van Gough museum where highlights for me and the pancake houses are awesome! I travelled on the overnight P&O ferry where you sleep and eat on the shop, if you’re in low season it’s a really affordable way to do it xx
Miranda says
I really want to travel on a ferry not just crossing the English Channel but cruising
Cynthia @craftoflaughter says
I loved visiting Amsterdam. The Anne Frank House, the museums, the canal ride around the city. The whole city buzzes with excitement!
Miranda says
It does doesn’t it? I can’t wait to go back and do the canal ride
Amanda says
It looks like you all had a fun and amazing time. I’ve never been to Europe, the farthest I’ve gone form Canadian Soil has been to the states which was a four hour drive (before the kids came along). There were for us – 2 couples and we had a lot of fun. My only wish is that I would’ve done it more.
Miranda says
It was fun and I hope you get to travel more in the future
Heather Johnson says
I would love to get to Europe sometime. I have heard great things about Amsterdam!
Miranda says
It’s definitely an interesting place to visit