Amsterdam is a beautiful city that I've had the privilege to visit, thought only in short spurts. Whilst a day may not seem like a long time, there is a lot you can squeeze into twenty four hours. Whether you want to see the city, or be engulfed by nature, my experiences show that you can do both.
The right way to start any day is with some good food. I'd love to go to Debakkerswinkel (The Bakers Shop). It is the most comfortable and rustic place I have ever seen. Better yet, all the food is hand-made, so the same feeling comes from the food too! If you're eager to get up and go, and would rather not spend time sitting in one of their (very lovely) cafes, then you are given the option of ordering your food as a takeaway.
They were reasonably priced and the staff were absolutely lovely. They also give you a lovely keychain of a traditional Dutch clog after; something I treasure.
After, visiting museums is a necessity. In my last twenty four hours in Amsterdam I visited a museum called 'Red Light Secrets'. Amsterdam is a city renown for its red light district, and more so, its prostitutes. It's very easy to forget that these women who are treated like commodities are actually people. This museum is small, but eye opening. It opened my eyes up to the world of prostitution. One really memorable section was where you stood in front of a screen, and it simulated the experience of being in a 'window'. It neither glamorised prostitution or criminalised it. It simply showed how life was for a variety of women in the industry. It was the best use of time in that twenty four hours, as you learn to appreciate the work that these women do.
I am a restless person, so I do not think that I would like to go on a canal tour (though the canals are beautiful and I take great joy walking along them), so what better thing could I do than go to the strangest art exhibition I can find? 'Electric Ladyland' is a museum of fluorescent art that is on the brink of headache inducing, but also really cool. It advertises that for the time that one is visiting, they are a piece of the artwork. You can participate in art, and since I feel I lack the interest in conventional art to go to the Rijksmuseum, I feel that this would be far more up my alley.
To finish it off, Dutch cuisine is a necessity for dinner. The Dutch love their fish, so the best place to go would seem to be Frens Haringhandel. Their herring is cheap and supposedly excellent; also near the famous flower market, it would be the perfect way to end a day in Amsterdam.
Throughout a twenty four hour stay in Amsterdam, it is important to relax as much as possible and enjoy your surroundings. It really is a wonderful and calming city. I have a chronic anxiety disorder and even I could enjoy a day chock full of activities! Even though it's only for a day, Amsterdam is wonderful, and I'd love to make this twenty four hour plan a reality in the future.
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The right way to start any day is with some good food. I'd love to go to Debakkerswinkel (The Bakers Shop). It is the most comfortable and rustic place I have ever seen. Better yet, all the food is hand-made, so the same feeling comes from the food too! If you're eager to get up and go, and would rather not spend time sitting in one of their (very lovely) cafes, then you are given the option of ordering your food as a takeaway.
Make sure you then hop on your rented bike, for when you are in the Netherlands, there is no other real way to travel, and visit the nine streets. I personally like to really experience the culture of the country I'm visiting. I don't want to go into chain stores that I could pop into any time at home. The nine streets is a collection of streets of cool independent shops (bar the one Vans store). It is lined with unique businesses, from novelty gift shops, clothes businesses and a store that sells furniture predominantly using real fur and leather.
Then, lunch. There is a little treasure tucked away in Amsterdam; Pancakes Amsterdam. There is often a line around lunchtime, but I would not mind spending my twenty four hours waiting in line just so I could get a bite of their delicious pancakes. I mean, look at these beauties.
After, visiting museums is a necessity. In my last twenty four hours in Amsterdam I visited a museum called 'Red Light Secrets'. Amsterdam is a city renown for its red light district, and more so, its prostitutes. It's very easy to forget that these women who are treated like commodities are actually people. This museum is small, but eye opening. It opened my eyes up to the world of prostitution. One really memorable section was where you stood in front of a screen, and it simulated the experience of being in a 'window'. It neither glamorised prostitution or criminalised it. It simply showed how life was for a variety of women in the industry. It was the best use of time in that twenty four hours, as you learn to appreciate the work that these women do.
I am a restless person, so I do not think that I would like to go on a canal tour (though the canals are beautiful and I take great joy walking along them), so what better thing could I do than go to the strangest art exhibition I can find? 'Electric Ladyland' is a museum of fluorescent art that is on the brink of headache inducing, but also really cool. It advertises that for the time that one is visiting, they are a piece of the artwork. You can participate in art, and since I feel I lack the interest in conventional art to go to the Rijksmuseum, I feel that this would be far more up my alley.
To finish it off, Dutch cuisine is a necessity for dinner. The Dutch love their fish, so the best place to go would seem to be Frens Haringhandel. Their herring is cheap and supposedly excellent; also near the famous flower market, it would be the perfect way to end a day in Amsterdam.
Throughout a twenty four hour stay in Amsterdam, it is important to relax as much as possible and enjoy your surroundings. It really is a wonderful and calming city. I have a chronic anxiety disorder and even I could enjoy a day chock full of activities! Even though it's only for a day, Amsterdam is wonderful, and I'd love to make this twenty four hour plan a reality in the future.
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| See, I really was able to relax! |
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