Amsterdaaaaaaaaammmm man, you are pretty sweet. Packed with narrow cobbled streets, green open spaces and a cool vibe to every café – well you were always going to make me feel at home. Last weekend Allyn and I flew up in the air for only enough time to watch 20 minutes of Crème de la Crème before touching down in a new city. We picked a spacious AirBnb – no breakfast before 10am rules here – with a little garden and huge sofa, perfect for lazy evenings and even lazier mornings. Our trip lasted 5 days however you can easily get a taste of the capital in just a few, so I’ve put our favourite spots together to create a beginner’s guide to 3 days in Amsterdam.

Day 1

Midday

You’re tired, you’ve travelled. So let’s get straight to the chill. After a midday arrival (or once you’ve devoured brekkie in your accommodation), head out to the top of Vondelpark. This area is packed with restaurants, cafes and of course the famous coffee shops that you’ll find all over the city.

A guide to the green

Let’s get the green chat over with then shall we? We all know Amsterdam is famous for its coffee shops that sell a little more than beans, and I’m not talking about the smoothies. Be sensible. You don’t want to waste a day lying on a bench. Let me explain it to ya. You’ll find a menu in each shop with the option of weed, hash, cakes and pre-rolls. If you are a beginner or very rare smoker, then go weak. This shit is strong. The people behind the counters are always happy to help, they’re used to us tourists not having a clue what’s going on. If you can’t roll, get pre-rolls. If you can, get a small bag and go easy. Note: you can’t smoke tobacco inside. Or at least you can’t roll with it if said café is more lax. You can buy herbal ‘baccy though which is basically like dried tea. Yum. The menus will have a rating, or at least the weaker stuff will be at the bottom. Decide if you want to be giggly/happy or extremely chilled. Then ask. I personally stuck with one called ‘Power Plant’. It made me want to explore endlessly and giggle in museums. Perfect. Right back to the itinerary.

afternoon

If you want to start your day in such a form, head to Rookies. This place has an idiots guide to green menu and make a cracking hot chocolate. Once you’re feeling floaty, walk it off in Vondelpark. It’s the Hyde Park of Amsterdam and packed with couples, families, pups and potheads. Everyone’s chilled, everyone’s happy. We grabbed a tasty toasted bagel from Bagels and Wraps close by to enjoy by the lake. Mooch through the park until you reach the end. Enjoy the sunshine, the birdsong, the odd wiff of herb. Allyn and I decided at this point to carry on our park wanderings and so made our way to Vondelpark’s next door neighbour (sort of), Rembrandpark. On route we came across IJsmanchap, a small corner café that was lined with people licking popsicles. “I NEED ONE IMMEDIATELY” my slightly squiffy brain exclaimed. Homemade frozen deliciousness can be found here in various flavours, ours being strawberry and chia, and homemade raspberry yoghurt. Apparently they don’t accept cash, but they did for us. We carried on our adventure through Rembrandt Park, a pretty patch of green dedicated to the famous Dutch artist. Various sculptures of him and strange objects are found within including a bridge with two gigantic dogs on either side (or did I dream that? No picture evidence was taken). With slightly weary feet, we found ourselves at the top of the park. Here you’ll find a small farm with goats and horses to give a quick pat before entering the Ramada Apollo. Nothing to look at from the outside, the hotel will surprise you with its offerings as you sliver past reception up to the 17^th floor in the lifts. The originally named ‘Floor 17’ combines a restaurant and sky bar with panoramic views over Amsterdam. Although the city isn’t Europe’s best for skylines and skyscrapers, it’s still a beautiful way to admire the parks and enjoy a cheeky drink with a view.

evening

After all the walking, Allyn and I took advantage of our garden and relaxed in the sunshine before getting ready for the evening. I had a sushi craving. Amsterdam has a surprising number of all you can eat sushi restaurants. Night made. We opted for Sumo, a Japanese sushi and noodle bar that had great reviews. I’d definitely recommend it for value dining at its best. It was packed, quick and excellent quality. A short walk away is Amsterdam’s most beloved bar, Vesper. Known for its James Bond influence, the small boutique corner in the trendy Jordaan area serves a small range of creative cocktails. We went on a Tuesday evening, so it wasn’t exactly buzzing. But I liked the relaxed vibe in what was essentially a small intimate wooden room, one wall covered in exotic bottles. Naturally I picked a delightful twist on an old fashioned, my favourite drink. Allyn’s coffee and fruit cocktail was equally delicious, although unique in flavour. Note: the menu on the website is not the one in printed form.

Day 2

Good morning! Hope you’re feeling fresh. And I hope you’ve pre-booked your tickets for Anne Frank if you’re hoping to go along? No? Ah well, next time.

Morning/lunch time

Instead find yourself to the area of ‘The 9 Streets’, the famous lanes that connect Amsterdam’s parallel canals. Start by grabbing a bite to eat, because food always comes first. There are so many incredible cafes in Amsterdam, each with a uniquely branded front that look like they were created by the coolest hipster going. Our personal favourite was Aardbei. If you speak Dutch you’ll know what’s coming. The entire menu is strawberry themed. Smoothies, froyo, pie, salad or just the ingredient in question dribbled in chocolate. We were in heaven. Next let’s experience Amnesia, literally. Amsterdam’s ‘best coffeeshop’ is the place to forget all your woes as you puff on the sidewalk looking out along the canal, where a tour leader will point you out to his mob of mac wearing boat riders.

afternoon

Stoned? Excellent. Its time to get naughty. Via Dam Square and the Red Light District (not exactly the most dreamy walk you’ll ever take but hey) we’re heading to the Sex Museum. It was worth every cent. Some bits interesting, some bits down right shocking. But hilarious. Always hilarious. We held hands the whole way round whilst I shielded his eyes from the rows of lesbian antics. Who said romance was dead?

evening

Now you’ve seen it all, we’re going for a drink to discuss our bizarre day. Tales & Spirits, a bar so popular they had to employ someone just to turn you away. Luckily we were first in line so took a seat on their outdoor bench whilst we waited for someone to have one cocktail too many. The menu was everything. Each spirit had a tale, along with an illustration. Not one for breaking traditions, Allyn ordered the gender opposed Fallen Lady, sweet raspberry and bitter dark chocolate. I on the other hand was whisked away with Mary Poppins, who treated me to a fizzing lollypop to dunk in my rhubarb gin. I also couldn’t help ordering from the Old Fashioned Menu… I mean seriously did they want me to leave? I went for a Nutcracker, sold on the hazelnut honey syrup made in house and serving of honeycomb. I sat there like Pooh Bear, two cocktails in. Oh dinner. How could I forget? If you’re saving the penny’s then stock up at one of the city’s droolworthy cheese shops to enjoy with a loaf later on. I ate every sample in the Amsterdam Cheese Company, finally deciding on a truffle goat’s cheese. Otherwise, I’d love to have sampled Singel 101, a restaurant where you simply tell them what dissatisfies you so that they can surprise you with a plate that pleases.

Day 3

Morning/lunch time

Oh the last day. We begrudgingly packed up our suitcase and hauled it to Amsterdam Central where we managed to grab the last locker for a day of storage. Avoiding the queues for Van Goph, we sneakily got online and pre-booked for an hour ahead, just giving us enough time to grab a bite to eat at the Stedelijk Museum’s Urban Restaurant. Spacious and casual it was a great lunch time choice, albeit the slow service. Unfortunately Allyn’s burger was soggy to say the least however my carpaccio sandwich was rather wonderful, sprinkled in pine nuts and fiery rocket.

afternoon

I would also highly recommend a visit to the Moco Museum, Amsterdam’s modern art gallery, so much so that I’ll be writing all about it in my next post! During our visit the highly popular Banksy (until August 30^th 2017) and Dali (until June 11^th 2017) exhibition had taken over the beautiful mansion. It housed a fantastic contemporary collection of both artists’ work, displayed in small rooms dotted around the venue. Although busy, we were able to join a short late morning queue. There is of course a list of other parts of Amsterdam I didn’t have time to explore however it immediately felt like a city I would return to and so the desperation to see it all was lessened. Next time I’ll be back for the fascinating Bodyworks, the nearby Keukenhof tulip gardens and of course more of the city’s irresistible café culture (the food and drink kind, I mean it!).

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