TRAVELS: HOLLAND (AMSTERDAM)
08:49:00
The thing is with travelling to European countries, you never know your luck with weather. I've been to Amsterdam twice over the course of 2 years, both around the same season; Spring (end of March). During my first visit (2013), the sun was out shining bright but it was really cold, while on my second trip, it was all rainy and gloomy but pretty warm if I were to compare.
Amsterdam is a busy city, with beautiful architecture based around canals. Every corner you turn you'll see another bridge connecting you across the canals - you may easily get lost thinking you've crossed this bridge before, cos they all look almost alike! The city's main transportation is cycling, sustainable and efficient! There are specific paths for cyclists on every walkways and streets and you'd always have to be on the lookout for cyclists and be aware of their bells they ring if you're in their way. But of course, there are trams around the city that you can take to navigate around too.
In fact, its a lot more happening at night, given the Red Light District operates after dark. Take a stroll around the district and the city to see beautiful houses and buildings lit up and reflected by the canal water. There are ample cafes, 'coffee shops', restaurants and bars in the area - you'll find it as enjoyable at night as it is during the day. They stay up till very late at night!
I would personally recommend you explore Amsterdam by taking your time walking around the city, or rent a bike and you'll find gems in the most unexpected corners. You could also take canal cruises where they offer you tours to see the city's many popular sights and you get to enjoy their iconic buildings from a great view. See here for more details.
If you want to see the more traditional parts of the Dutch culture, you can take a day trip to Zaanse Schans. Here, you get to see some scenic views of their traditional windmills and free entrances so some museums and craft shops.
If you're the type of person who enjoys walking around gardens and appreciates the beauty of flower arts, then Keukenhof is the place for you. As you many may have already known, Holland is popular for its tulips, (tulips are Holland's unofficial national flower. See here for more details).
Keukenhof is a garden that displays various kinds of flowers, beautifully designed for your pleasure and leisure. Keukenhof only opens during the spring season (end of March to mid of May) in order for you to enjoy the blooming at its best. So if you intend to visit Keukenhof, plan you trip wisely and make sure you come during the appropriate time! However, don't let you hopes up too high, because apparently and naturally, the flowers bloom depending on climatic/weather conditions. This being said, they may not bloom quite fully even at the end of March (if the year's winter was extremely cold). That was the case during my visit to Keukenhof.
I visited Keukenhof at the end of March in 2013 and sadly, the flowers were not in full bloom yet, bummer! so we basically just walked around the gardens, though there were some tulips on display in a glasshouse, but obviously it wouldn't compare to the tulip fields that I had in my mind!
How I imagined it would be...
(Photo source: Google images)
(Photo source: Google images)
How it actually was...
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This is me trying to make it look like the tulips were vast like in the fields - there were actually signage of the names of the tulips, which I don't find interesting nor pretty to be in my photo (this is't a research trip y'know) haha. but then again, it was a glasshouse display.
Another one in the Keukenhof garden.
On my second trip to Amsterdam, (also at the end of March 2015 - flight tickets around these times are pretty cheap every year I guess, hence my second trip) we decided not to go to Keukenhof, and opt for Madurodam instead.
Madurodam is a miniature park (located just a little outside of Amsterdam - you can take trains and stop at The Hague) that offers highlights of Holland's heritage, architecture, landscape, culture and industries and many more. If you'd like to see what Holland has to offer and have little time to do so, you can consider taking a trip to Madurodam. :)
The Dam Square.
The 'mini' Red Light District!
Keukenhof is a garden that displays various kinds of flowers, beautifully designed for your pleasure and leisure. Keukenhof only opens during the spring season (end of March to mid of May) in order for you to enjoy the blooming at its best. So if you intend to visit Keukenhof, plan you trip wisely and make sure you come during the appropriate time! However, don't let you hopes up too high, because apparently and naturally, the flowers bloom depending on climatic/weather conditions. This being said, they may not bloom quite fully even at the end of March (if the year's winter was extremely cold). That was the case during my visit to Keukenhof.
I visited Keukenhof at the end of March in 2013 and sadly, the flowers were not in full bloom yet, bummer! so we basically just walked around the gardens, though there were some tulips on display in a glasshouse, but obviously it wouldn't compare to the tulip fields that I had in my mind!
How I imagined it would be...
How it actually was...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
On my second trip to Amsterdam, (also at the end of March 2015 - flight tickets around these times are pretty cheap every year I guess, hence my second trip) we decided not to go to Keukenhof, and opt for Madurodam instead.
Madurodam is a miniature park (located just a little outside of Amsterdam - you can take trains and stop at The Hague) that offers highlights of Holland's heritage, architecture, landscape, culture and industries and many more. If you'd like to see what Holland has to offer and have little time to do so, you can consider taking a trip to Madurodam. :)
And that was the end of my Amsterdam tales. More travel posts coming up soon!
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