If you didn’t catch Part 1 of my Amsterdam photo diary just click here to take a look. I only got back from my trip a month ago and it feels like forever, I need to book another trip ASAP so I have something to look forward too.
As I said in my previous post I have visited Amsterdam quite a few times now so I have managed to do most of the big tourist things like Anne Frank’s House (which is an absolute must visit!), Rijksmuseum, Museum Van Loon, Red Light District and such like. So when we visit now we just relax and enjoy the beautiful canal streets. We walk so many miles in a day just exploring all the back streets and visiting our favourite restaurants and cafe’s, of which there are so many!
One lovely cafe / shop I must recommend to you is PLUK – there is usually a wait for a table but it is well worth it because they ave the most delicious smoothies, lunches and sweet treats. You can take away if you don’t have time to sit in but its such a welcoming, instagramable space & they have a shop selling stationery and the cutest homewares, if you are able to resist buying something then you have a lot more willpower than me!
Oh & if you want somewhere really nice to go for dinner or just a few drinks then The Hoxton Hotel is pretty damn cool and the food is amazing!
Let me know where you love to visit when you’re in Amsterdam.
October saw me turn 38 and to celebrate my lovely husband took me to Amsterdam. If you have been a long time reader of my blog, then you will know we have visited Amsterdam quite a few times over the years. We just can’t help going back, its incredibly beautiful, inspiring and vibrant. I always return home feeling refreshed and with a promise to myself that I will live there one day & I am still working towards that dream (6 visits later).
Amsterdam is such a short flight from the UK and you can always get a cheap deal. I know most people associate it with Stag Parties and the Red Light District – which is a part of it and of course what is a visit without visiting the oldest part of the City. That aside there is so much more to see and do there, when people ask me for suggestions I always tell them just to explore the canals, walk, walk and walk some more. You can’t fail but to stumble across lovely independent shops (Amsterdam has very few chain shops, although more are opening each year) there is an abundance of incredible places to eat and drink and the scenery is always breathtaking. The tree lined canals, houseboats and bridges are so romantic especially at night when they’re all lit up. We have covered so many miles just wandering the streets romanticising about living in one of the crooked canal houses.
I would say seeing the city by boat is a really nice way to spend a few hours, I like to use the smaller eco boats that sit 6 – 8 people and have a local guide. You learn so much about the history of the city and about the canals themselves. Its so nice to see everything from a different perspective.
A picnic in Vondelpark is a relaxing way to spend a warm afternoon, I love to people watch in there. It’s such a mix of locals and tourists all having fun.
I could go on & on about this European gem but I know most of you have been before but if you haven’t you must visit you won’t be disappointed, I promise you that. It’s one of the most friendly, beautiful and vibrant cities I have ever visited.
An unexpected parcel arrived last week from Jurlique, which is one of my favourite skincare brands. They’re celebrating 30 years and have released a special limited edition version of their Rosewater Balancing Mist* which is one of my favourite products from them & easy to see why its an international bestseller.
This limited edition version contains added Rose extracts and potent botanicals to hydrate your skin and enliven your senses. Its deluxe formula contains precious Rose extracts to help condition, soothe and balance your skin. This bottle is not only utterly beautiful but also huge at 200ml and the packaging is gorgeous. Its so refreshing and soothing & has been a god send these past few weeks. It sits on my desk and I reach for it when I’m feeling a little hot and need a pick me up. So this lovely parcel has been making me very very happy.
With every purchase a 5% donation goes to the Jurlique ‘Ideas of Beauty Fund’ to support charities that help people and nature bloom. Money raised by the fund is used to improve quality of life and make the world a beautiful place to live.
My Home Bargain 79p glass drinks jar has been helping me stay hydrated in this crazy heat. I like to drink fizzy water, I add lemon and lots of ice. I hate to drink water unless its ice cold. These jars are so cute, I wish I’d bought all the colours as my local shop has sold out now.
Discovering a new & very Pinterest appropriate cafe in Manchester – The Foundation Coffee House (on Lever Street) opened at the end of May & its unlike anywhere I have ever been. Its vast & I mean huge, the space is just above street level and feels light and clean. You don’t feel crammed in and the coffee is incredible but also so is their selection of soft drinks and food.
It feels like its not been discovered by the masses quite yet and part of me hopes it stays that way but either way is a lovely relaxing place to stop and enjoy a drink and I even worked from here for a couple of hours and it was so quiet and the staff are very friendly. Oh and there are lots of photos of the actual cafe space on the internet so I thought I would share a photo of their very nice bathroom – can you spot the Aesop hand wash (extra brownie points to them for having that).
I’m excited to say we’re heading back to Amsterdam next week for our 5th visit. Its my husbands birthday and its our favourite European City so we thought what the heck lets pop back and enjoy a week there. I have been reading travel blogs & stalking Instagram accounts planning where to go.
Generally we have done all the major touristy things so we just love to walk up and down the side streets discovering hidden gems & there is such an abundance of cute shops & cafes in Amsterdam so you’re spoilt for choice. As I said I have been a few times but if you have any suggestions on places to eat then i’d love to hear them. If you want to see my Amsterdam Photo Diary from last year click that link!
Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.
I could walk up & down the canals in Amsterdam all day & night, they’re so pretty. The canal houses that line them are beautiful and historical. They are all different and are frozen in time, I love them. A few of them are open as museums & one of the best ones I have been in it the Museum Van Loon which has the cutest cafe in the garden where you can sit, relax & it feels like you’re in the countryside.
I’m embarrassed to say I have been to Amsterdam 3 times now & I am yet to ride a bike there, I’m terrible at riding a bike & fear that I may cause myself an injury. I always joke to my husband that we should hire a tandem. I think next time we go I will have to bite the bullet and hire one late at night when the streets are quiet and I can practise. It looks so much fun and you can cover a lot of ground which means I could see more of the city whilst feeling more like a local. Have you ever hired a bike in Amsterdam, if so let me know how you found it.
Oh & if you have time you need to stop by the Poezenboot (Cat Boat). It’s quite a site, especially if you are a cat lover & opposite the catboat there is a cafe called Greenwoods that does the nicest breakfast, they even have Vegan options. It does get very busy but I guarantee it’s worth the wait.
If you do visit the city you must go and have a walk around the streets & canals at night. The bridges are all lit with small lights & even the trees have fairy lights. It feels really romantic & magical.
To see part 1 of my Amsterdam photo diary click here
