Our River Cruise Expo took place in Amsterdam this year. The last time I visited the Netherlands, a college friend and I were backpacking through Europe shortly after graduating. It’s safe to say it’s been quite a while. I was looking forward to getting to know the city again. We had four nights to enjoy Amsterdam before our River Cruise departed, and we tried to make the most of it!

Amsterdam is a fun, casual, gritty destination, known best for its picturesque canals that meander throughout the whole city.

Quaint bridges like the ones above and below connect different neighborhoods while also offering fantastic vantage points to beautiful scenery, especially early mornings or late evenings. Then again, there’s always sunrise and sunset, when the reflection of the coral-colored sun hits the water, creating an alluring, colorful effect!

The narrow streets that run parallel to the flowing canals create a more intimate, cozy feel to the city as well, and are often lined with trees and flowers. Spring is a magnificent time of year to visit Amsterdam, especially mid-March to mid-May (but more on that later).

Amsterdam is also a biker’s cycling heaven. I don’t think I have ever visited a city that has cycling ingrained so deeply into their transportation system as this city! There is an extensive network of bike paths and lanes, making the whole city very bike-friendly for commuters as well as those enjoying a leisurely ride.

That said, as a visitor, it is vitally important to really understand the cycling culture in order to stay safe. Cyclists here have the right of way, not pedestrians. Always be aware and alert and mindful of those cycling. Look both ways (several times) before crossing the street. We were very careful to do this, and even then, there were times when cyclists were going so quickly, we didn’t see them the first time around as we stepped off the curb. There were definitely a few times where we came close to having a misstep. So please be careful. And do not get distracted by your phones!

If you plan on biking yourself, it’s a wonderful way to get around the city to explore. But again…please make sure you fully understand the rules. Stay on the bike paths, use only designated bike lanes, be mindful of trams, stay to the right if biking at a more leisurely pace, and use hand signals. Stay safe!

Another experience that offers a unique perspective of Amsterdam’s beauty is from the water. Many canal cruises are offered from big group cruises to small, intimate, more private options.

From the water, you’ll glide past historical buildings and iconic landmarks. You’ll drift beneath picturesque bridges and admire colorful canal houses, all in a relaxed setting.

Amsterdam is also a food lover’s destination. From street markets and cozy cafes to local restaurants and Michelin starred dining, you have a lot of options. In the photo below, Ryan was drawn into this Italian restaurant, Quattro Gatti, because he saw some donuts he thought he’d enjoy. The Chef was making pasta from scratch right in front of us. When the Chef saw how fascinated we were with what he was doing, he pulled us into the kitchen for a group shot! So fun and sweet!

One of our favorite cafés for coffee was Brasil Koffee, located near the Royal Palace.

Not only was it extraordinarily charming inside…

But the staff was friendly, and the coffee amazing! They are a family owned business and have a really interesting history. If you’d like to learn more, make sure to Google them online.

For breakfast one morning, we tried Rembrandt Corner, because we needed to sample a traditional Dutch Pancake. The food was simple but tasty.

Here is another place where the locals dine. Olijfje Mediterranean Restaurant.

It was quaint, unassuming, the staff was very warm and welcoming, and the food was delicious.

The dessert scene is also fun, with Stoopwafels taking first place as the thing to try. Yes, of course there are delicious pastries, chocolate, and gelato…but Stoopwafels are a bit unique. Made with two thin waffle cookies sandwiched together with a syrupy caramel center, these are best served warm. (As an aside, a friend from home told me to place my Stoopwafel on a hot cup of tea. This allowed the steam to heat the caramel center, creating the perfect melty temperature to enjoy this sweet treat.)

This is one of the many stores we found Stoopwafels being made.

There are many optional add ons, but we preferred the traditional plain option best.

Of course there is also a rich, deep history here, and if you haven’t yet had an opportunity to visit Anne Frank’s House, that is a must. They do not allow you to photograph when you enter, but you will learn and experience so much that it will be impossible to forget. Make sure, however, to purchase your tickets way in advance (as soon as ticket sales for your date open), as they sell out almost immediately during peak season. And of course, there are not to be missed museums you’ll want to visit as well!

And let’s not forget the many flowers during this time of year. They were everywhere, especially at the Flower Market!

Now, last but not least is Amsterdam at night. Here are a few last shots of this fun, wonderful city.

The canals at night were just gorgeous! The reflections especially were so pretty.

What you’re looking at below is a string of restaurants all open and full of people dining late, eating and talking and laughing. The city comes alive at nighttime.

Well, this was certainly a long post and I could have written so much more. Hopefully you enjoyed it enough to want to visit one day. For more information on our itineraries, feel free to email us at dtgainor@gmail.com or visit Global Getaways to learn more about who we are and how we work.