Amsterdam totally surpassed all my expectations. I’m completely in love with the glimmering, shimmering canals and curlicued brick and stone, the deliciously gooey caramel waffles and an entire museum district! It’s a shame that I always associated it the red light district and pot (not that there’s anything wrong with the latter), but it just never seemed like it would be my thing.
I was utterly and completely wrong. I didn’t stumble on to a single naked lady or dubbie (I’m not even exactly sure where the red light district is). So if you’re as rock and roll as me, you should totally do the following:
I’ve used Airbnb for years, all over Europe and the States. I’ve loved each of my stays, but Johan has possibly the most beautiful flat I’ve ever been in. He has an eye for colour that would make Van Gogh jealous, the most comfortable, fluffy king-sized bed and a colour-coded book case that would make any reader feel right at home. The house is an historic canal house built in the 17th century, so the few days we were there I pretended I was Rembrandt (minus the talent) and Vermeer’s girl with the pearl earring (minus the pearls).
The soft winter light bouncing off of the canals was so soothing and breathtakingly beautiful when the sun set.
(Posing by canals and tiny cars totally optional).
The deliciously unhealthy:
Best stroopwafels: Verse stroopwafel at the Albert Cuyp Market
Best fries (curry or satay sauce optional): Vleminckx
Uber healthy and so amazingly tasty:
Mumu chocolates (not just the best raw chocolate I’ve ever had — just the best chocolate hands down).
My dream dinner:
Indonesian at Tempo Doeloe
I went to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the Rembrandt House Museum, but those are just the tip of the iceberg. I would have happily gone to 20 museums if I had the time.
I am head-over-heels in love with Amsterdam and hope I get to go back one day to ogle more canals and soak in more painted canvases. In the meantime, let me know what you’ve done if you’ve been. For those of you making plans or day dreaming about a trip to Amsterdam, I hope these wee tips gave you a bit of inspiration.
——-
Dear Cath
I know you think of Amsterdam as Schipol and that place of limbo where you are stuck between two flights, but I so wish I could have teleported you to a canal last weekend!
One day was even warm enough where Ali and I sat on the stoop outside of our canal house and ate fresh fruit while wiggling our toes in the sun. It was heavenly!
It’s the perfect city for us and reminds me of Edinburgh: compact, historic, beautiful and grand. One day we will go together.
Until then, close your eyes and dream of freshly made stroopwafels with gooey caramel centres and layers of Van Gogh ochre swimming in a sea of forest green and aquamarine.
Love you like the shimmerest of canals and gooeyest of stroopwafels,
Lar
Dearest Lar,
After Facetiming with you and seeing this post, I’m convinced that my next European trip (whenever that’ll be) is going to include Amsterdam. It is such a shame that I only associate with the airport and marathon layovers. I know my idea of it is incredibly skewed, but I didn’t realize how off I was!
I wish we could have explored the city together, but this post is the next best thing. The apartment looks soooo pretty. I love how it’s perfectly decorated, but doesn’t look like a pretentious, magazine-styled place. That bowl of fruit in your first photo totally looks like a painted still life. Seriously!
Also, all of that food sounds amazing. I want to try raw chocolate, but I feel like I should hold out until I can get my hands on some Mumu chocolates. And someday I’ll try a stroopwafel that wasn’t purchased at a Starbucks.
love you so!
xoxo, Cath
HI Cath
Yes, you guys would love Amsterdam! It’s so beautiful and easy to get around — I wish I could have teleported you there.
I’m going to get in touch with Mumu chocolates and see if they ship — seriously so obsessed!
One day soon we will eat stroopwafels together by a canal.
XOXOXO
Lar
omg i sooooooooooo wanna go! NOW!
Diane, you would love it too! In some ways it reminds me of NOLA a bit — maybe it’s the beautiful buildings around low lying water. Go!
xoxo,
Lar
Will and I JUST got back from Amsterdam last night! Aaaaaaaand we loved it!! Glad you two enjoyed it as well 🙂
No way, Jackie! We’re like two ships passing in the night! So, so glad you guys enjoyed it too! I feel silly having never gone when it’s so close. And now I want to go back!
xoxo,
Lar
p.s. Jackie I just took a gander at your blog and CONGRATS!!! So very happy for you two!
p.p.s. For some reason I can’t post my comments to your blog — harumph! Some weird WordPress thing?
I love this little look into Amsterdam. I didn’t get to see any museums when I was there so I need to take another trip to remedy this! I did stroll through the Red Light District, and you did not miss a thing! The canals are my favorite part, so far. Thanks for the tips to find delicious things.
Hi Deseare
Thanks for the kind words! I loved the canals too — and the light they reflected was just heavenly.
x Lar
Hii ladies, i just stumbled upon your website while searching for the konmari method and i saw this post. So good to see you had fun in my city Amsterdam, if you need something let me know, maybe i can send you what you want 🙂
You can email me (you can also find me on facebook )
Now im going to read everything on the site instead of working 😉
Haha! Thanks so much for reading, Janet! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed our posts!
xoxo, Lar
Hi could you tell me which house you stayed in ?when i press on your “johan” link on airbnb it just show me other places in amsterdam , thank you, it just looks so cute! nike
Hi Nike,
Thanks so much for reading. Unfortunately it does look like Johan is not doing Airbnb at the moment. It was a lovely place to stay, but I know you’ll find some place equally beautiful!
xoxo,
Lar