Bridget abroad: well I'll be Dam(ned)

I am obsessed with the houses in Amsterdam, without missing a beat they all resemble the crazy weird and wonderful gingerbread houses you see at places like Bettys. The whole culture is stylish; the clothes, the people, the accent, the bikes. I really like the vibe. I think people make it look effortlessly cool being here. My stand out city character has to be the five year old who dressed head to toe in athlesuire wear fashioned an oversized bag, sunglasses and beanie whilist conducting a heated phone conversation. This child is goals. The trick is to pair equally cool and obnoxious clothes together and just not care whether they match. Unfaltering confidence ties the outfit together.

My recommendations for this city come in all shapes and sizes, because in parts it’s not what we thought. However, it is equal parts weird and wonderful.

You cannot go to Amsterdam and not walk around the canals. They are intriguing and beguiling. You’ll end up seeing them wherever you go but allow yourself to drift down the canals and the streets just to take it all in. I love the canals.

The red light district is worth a walk through (with friends). It’s not what I thought it was, the best likeness would be Barbies in glossy shop windows and sex clubs.

Go for a bike ride round vondelpark. This is a nice area with lots of open space (and you’re less likely to crash). If you’re looking for a rental search for black bike rentals which are dotted all over the city so you can drop it off in different locations, with three hours averaging 15 euros. Do cycle on the right take note.

For more of the true Dutch experience, buy some chips or ‘frittes’ as the locals would say if you’re feeling fancy. Cheap and cheerful but oh so bloody good and comes with a variety of sources. Stroopwafels are obviously also a big thing, but it depends on your desperation to try them as the queue for the tiktok famous Van Wondern is incredibly long. Take it or leave it with the waffles. Dutch pancakes are really really good, don’t skimp on them. They’re dotted infrequently round the city.

There’s a lovely vintage Photo Booth at the Hoxton hotel (cash or card), where for four euros you can get an old photo strip printed. This was really cute. Tony’s choco lonely is cool but now I would say over hyped considering they’ve closed the choco bar. You can make your own bar and buy any flavour which is no doubt cool but not quite the hot chocolate I was dreaming of. Zipper vintage shops are dotted around the city if you’re after effortlessly cool clothes (yes please) to take back in the hand luggage.

Other mentions go to the museums of the city, of which there are a a lot. It’s weird, if they were in London I wouldn’t think to go. Abroad you’re like wow I need that in my life. Anne Frank is top of the list, I don’t need to elaborate on that one just book ahead. If you’re after the Instagram experience then inside out is for you. The street art museum is chic and fun, I’d go there to cut the crowds. Wondrr is a place for selfies and roller skating amongst disco balls, it’s just out the main way so prepare for a trek on the ferry.

Hotel recommendation is the The Backstage Hotel. Located 25 minutes walk from the station you can’t complain about the journey walking past the canals. Rooms were fun and quirky and a super cool bar, plus located centrally to all bars and restaurants. Two places nearby are Pizza Il Palio (cheap pizza) and Cafe Alto (eclectic jazz bar) match the vibe immaculately. The former feels like an amalgamation of your grannies Christmas lights and old school New York pizzerias, the later a hip dive bar which is just cool. Nothing more nothing less. Other notable mentions include Locals for brunch (good food and hot waiters), Rosalies Mengarie for a cocktail and Trevis italien (vegan but oh so incredible).

Much like this article, the city is weird, wonderful and rambling. Just enjoy the madness.