Amsterdam

Last weekend, Lewis and I took a three hour train ride to the beautiful city of Amsterdam. We stayed in a great Airbnb apartment just south of the famous Prinsengracht canal, which was the perfect location. We were able to walk everywhere, which is the main thing we love to do on holiday, to explore. Here's a bit about our weekend and some tips.

We spent most of Friday strolling around, soaking up the city and getting our bearings. It was the only sunny day we had and even though it was cold, Amsterdam is just magical in the sun. Always a lover for rummaging and bargains, I insisted that we checked out the flea market at Waterlooplein where there are piles and piles of clothes for just 1€ sometimes!

We had a late lunch at a cute place opposite the flower market called Toastable, which does amazing three tier toasties! My roasted vegetables and goats cheese one was yummy.

From there we wandered through the lovely Vondelpark, through southern Amsterdam and back to the apartment, but not without stopping to cuddle the most adorable cat on a street close to ours. I was delighted. FYI cats lovers, Amsterdam is full of them *emoji thumbs up*.

Saturday morning consisted of me dragging Lewis around the shopping area, known as the 9 streets district. These are in fact 3 streets crossing 3 canals in between Prinsengracht and Singel, thus creating 9 streets. The vintage shopping in Amsterdam is fantastic, albeit slightly more expensive than Paris but the choice is great. Look out for my detailed post on Amsterdam vintage shops coming soon! 

After a quick bite to eat we headed to the Anne Frank House, which was just incredible. We did have to queue in the freezing cold for about an hour but it was so worth it. The museum takes you on a tour of the very house where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War Two, with reconstruction photos and genuine artefacts. Having always wanted to read her diary, I finally bought it at the gift shop and I'm really enjoying it so far.

For dinner we went to The Pancake Bakery, which I remember going to last time I went to Amsterdam and loving it. The choice of pancakes is amazing and we both went for something on the 'international' section of the menu. I had the 'French', which was goats cheese, honey and pine nuts and Lewis' looked so much like a pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella and pesto. The pancakes were delicious and thick - that sounds really weird, but you know, substantial. 

On Sunday we strolled down to De Pijp, an up and coming area in Amsterdam where there are no canals to be seen. Not many shops were open so after doing a lap in Sarphatipark we headed for brunch.

We stumbled across a great place called Coffee and Coconuts, which is obviously the place to be on a Sunday with its buzzing but relaxed atmosphere and cool rock star photos on the walls. Don't be put off by the queue going up the stairs, we didn't have to wait long as there is three floors and it was worth it. I had scrambled egg on sourdough bread topped with avocado, feta cheese and black olives, a strange but winning combination. For dessert we shared a chocolate ganache on a crunchy cornflake base, which was heavenly. 

We had such a great time in Amsterdam with its beautiful canals, amazing food and chilled atmosphere. I definitely want to go back again when it's slightly warmer though! 

Izzie x

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