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Amsterdam Journals

A Week in Europe 2009: Amsterdam for Three Days

A March 2009 trip to Amsterdam by ch2001

Delicious Spinach Pie Photo - Cafe van Zuylen, Amsterdam, Netherlands More Photos
Quote: I took my first trip to Amsterdam in March 2009 as part of a week vacation visiting The Netherlands, Brussels, and France with my partner. During the trip we visited many sites and had a great deal of amazing food! This is my journal...

Day 1

NH Caransa

Hotel

NH Caransa - Shower Photo - NH Caransa, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Quote:
The NH Caransa was situated on the north-facing side of Rembrandtplein, a bustling square surrounded by cafes and restaurants (no street noise could be heard in the rooms). We stayed for three nights and booked our hotel through Priceline.com - we named our own price for $86 a night. We arrived at 9am, and as expected, our room was unavailable, and they stored our bags. Our room was on the fifth floor and had a view of neighboring rooftops and distant church spires. The room was clean, modern, and spacious for European hotels. The bathroom was a good size as well. Each morning the hotel had an assortment of croissants and muffins for the guests.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 27, 2009

NH Caransa
Rembrandtplein 19
Amsterdam, Netherlands 1017CT
+31 (20) 5540800

Cafe van Zuylen

Restaurant

Delicious Spinach Pie Photo - Cafe van Zuylen, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Quote:
We ate at Cafe van Zuylen the first night of our stay in Amsterdam. Initially we stopped in for a drink around 5pm; we each had a glass of Grolsch draft. We left to find a restaurant, and after seeing the prices for the surrounding restaurants we went back. We ordered a slice of spinach pie for an appetizer (see the photos). For the main course we each ordered a dish with roasted chicken (leg and breast) over roasted tomatoes in a buttery sauce – it may have been the special. Over all the meal was excellent and the atmosphere was great – although don’t go here if you want a quiet, intimate setting, it was a bit noisy.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on August 27, 2009

Cafe van Zuylen
Torensteeg 8
Amsterdam, Netherlands 1012 TH
020-6391055

Delifrance

Restaurant

Quote:
After landing in Amsterdam early in the morning we needed something fast for breakfast, and ducked into the first place we saw. Delifrance is your typical European fast food cafe with pastries and sandwiches, and it looks to be a chain. It was clean and cheap. The pastries were delicious, and the coffee was strong - just what we needed.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on August 27, 2009

Delifrance
Damrak 83
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Day 2

Rembrandthuis

Attraction | "Perfect for Art Lovers and History Fans"

Rembrandthuis - Rembrandt's Studio Photo - Rembrandthuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Quote:
We decided to visit Rembrandthuis because it was included in the I amsterdam Card, and I am extremely glad we did. They provide free hand held audio-guide, available in many different languages. This perk really makes the whole experience. In each room you are told the how Rembrandt used the room and the story of the objects in the room. In Rembrandt's studio a museum employee shows you how Rembrandt made his paints and demonstrates some of the painting techniques he used.A problem with most museums dedicated to historical figures is that the houses are set up in the way, and filled with items, typical to that time period. This is not the case with the Rembrandthuis, because when Rembr...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 23, 2009

Rembrandthuis
Jodenbreestraat 4
Amsterdam, Netherlands 1011 NK
+31 20 520 04 00

Esnoga - Portuguese Synagogue

Attraction | "A Piece of Amsterdam History"

Esnoga Interior Photo - Esnoga - Portuguese Synagogue, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Quote:
The Esnoga is a beautiful site in Amsterdam that few people take the time to visit. From the outside you would have no idea what the building holds inside. To enter you are buzzed into the reception area/gift shop, where you purchase your ticket, and enter the courtyard that surrounds the synagogue.The inside of the synagogue is immense - three/four stories tall. The entire structure is a work of art - from the over 200 year old benches to the painted wooden ceiling.Tickets cost 8 euro for an adult, but it's free with the I amsterdam Card. FROM THE WIKIPEDIA ENTRY:On December 12, 1670, the Sephardic Jewish community of Amsterdam acquired the site to b...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on September 23, 2009

Esnoga - Portuguese Synagogue
Mr. Visserplein 3 1011 RD
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam

Attraction | "An Escape in the City"

Hortus Botanicus Photo - Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Quote:
The Hortus Botanicus, or the Botanical Gardens, is a great place to take a break from the city. It's just southeast of the city center, and is an easy twenty minute walk. Admission is € 7, but free with the I amsterdam Card.We visited in early spring, so most of the flowers hadn't bloomed yet, but nevertheless the gardens were pretty. The main structure features subtropical, tropical and dessert climates with a wide assortment of plants from each. There are a few smaller structures including the palmhouse and a butterfly house. The gardens are small, so walk slowly and enjoy your experience.The Orangery is their very popular cafe, and if the weather permits, they have outs...Read More

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on September 23, 2009

Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
Plantage Middenlaan 2
Amsterdam, Netherlands 1018 DD
+31 20 625 84 11

Day 3

Van Gogh Museum

Attraction | "The One Museum You Must See"

Van Gogh Museum Photo - Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Quote:
The Van Gogh museum was a highlight of our trip, and from the line to get in it's a popular site for most visitors. There are a couple ways to avoid the line: buy your ticket ahead of time or buy an "I amsterdam" card (free admission to museum).The museum displays his work chronologically, from his early days in The Netherlands to his later days in France. In between the sketches and paintings the museum has provided text telling the story of Van Gogh's personal life, and tells how his life influenced his painting and drawing. The second floor houses many of Van Gogh's sketches.The museum comprises two buildings, the main building houses the main collection - all of the pain...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 23, 2009

Van Gogh Museum
Paulus Potterstraat 7
Amsterdam, Netherlands 1071 CX
+31 (20) 570 52 00

Heineken Brewery

Attraction | "Cross Between a Brewery Tour and a Fun House"

Heineken Brewery Photo - Heineken Brewery, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Quote:
In a city with so much history and culture, it slightly embarrasses me to say that the Heineken Experience was one of the trips highlights. First off, the tour is in English, so after two days faced with the language barrier I was happy to completely understand my surroundings.The tour started with a video running through the founding and evolution of the company, followed by a maze filled with historical Heineken objects.Eventually you make your way to the brewery littered with large copper colored cisterns and the smell of barley. In this room you can read and hear about the beer making process, and taste the wort separated during the mashing process.Next is the...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on August 27, 2009

Heineken Brewery
Stadhouderskade 78
Amsterdam, Netherlands 1075 AE
+31 (0)20 523 92 22

De Keuken van 1870

Restaurant | "A Home Cooked Dutch Meal"

Quote:
Our last night in Amsterdam we wanted an authentic, hearty Dutch meal. We found it at De Keuken van 1870. The dining room is a large two-story room with a few smaller tables in the front and two/three long rows of tables butted against one another in the center. The rows of tables create a communal dining feel, and it's impossible not to strike up a conversation with your neighbors. The food is delicious. It's well seasoned, large portioned comfort food. If you arrive early in the evening you can get their special - three courses for under 10 Euro. Entrees on the regular menu are priced between 8 Euro and 20 Euro. Great meal for the price.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on August 27, 2009

De Keuken van 1870
Spuistraat 4
Amsterdam
+31 (20) 6204018

About the Writer

ch2001

ch2001
Chicago, Illinois

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