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Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ capital, known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age. Its Museum District houses the Van Gogh Museum, works by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, and modern art at the Stedelijk.
Europe 2019 retrospective
For my Europe trip this year I decided to head off to southern France and bypass Paris altogether, and to finish off the trip with a couple of days relaxing in Amsterdam. Overall the weather was pretty disappointing, most days were cloudy but not too much rain thankfully. Towards the end of May the weather … Continue reading Europe 2019 retrospective
Eden Hotel Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I stayed here last year, and despite the small room on that occassion I decided to stay again because of the great location.
Frenzi, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
After a great meal at Frenzi last year I wanted to dine here again, so I headed over on my last evening in Amsterdam.
Le Pub, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
It was my final full day in Amsterdam, and Europe, for this trip and the weather started to turn for the better so I decided to grab a ticket for the hop-on, hop-off canal boats and just relax while watching life along the canals. After the first circuit I jumped off at the stop Prinsengracht … Continue reading Le Pub, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Cafe Luxembourg, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
After my beers at Gollem Raamsteeg I walked southeast towards my hotel looking for somewhere to have dinner. As I was heading down Spuistraat I found Cafe Luxembourg in a beautiful art deco building so headed on in.
Cafe Gollem Raamsteeg, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I’ve mentioned Gollem on Amstelstraat many times and this evening I decided to head out to one of the other Gollem establishments about a kilometer away called Cafe Gollem Raamsteeg.
Café de Sluyswacht, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Last year when I was in Amsterdam I visited Café de Sluyswacht a couple of times as I liked the view over the canal and there’s a reasonably good choice of beers. After my visit to Beer Tasting Room In The Wildeman I was heading back to my hotel but decided to have a pitstop … Continue reading Café de Sluyswacht, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Beer Tasting Room In The Wildeman, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I wanted to visit the Beer Tasting Room In The Wildeman last year but I’d tried to visit on a Sunday which is the only day of the week that they are closed. This year I made sure to visit while they were open.
Cocotte, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I started to wander over to the west of Amsterdam through De Wallen and towards Grachtengordel-West and ended up on Spuistraat where I found a small crêperie called Cocotte.
Ribsfactory Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I noticed Ribsfactory as I was heading to Gollem Amstelstraat for a couple of beers and took a mental note to head here for dinner.
Cafe Gollem Amstelstraat, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
After around 6 hours on the train travelling from Lyon to Amsterdam with a quick change in Brussels I found myself back in Amsterdam and looking to get into the beer scene again. Last year I had many beers at Cafe Gollem Amstelstraat, which was closeby to my hotel, so I headed there again.
Café Marcella, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
My time in Amsterdam was coming to a close so for my last lunch I decided to find a small cafe by a canal for a bite to eat and a couple of beers after doing a circuit on one of the canal boats. I jumped off at the Hermitage Amsterdam and headed over the … Continue reading Café Marcella, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Frenzi, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I’m really glad that I stumbled upon Frenzi. After getting back to my hotel after my outing to Den Haag, I was looking for somewhere close for dinner. I cast the net a little wider than usual and noticed a small cafe no more than 100 metres (as the crow flies) from my hotel, but … Continue reading Frenzi, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Eden Hotel Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Eden Hotel Amsterdam is in a perfect location on the Amstel river and just a couple of minutes walk from Rembrandt Square and the tram stop. Pretty much right outside the front door of the hotel is the dock for the Hop On-Hop Off canal boat. There are heaps of restaurants and bars within a … Continue reading Eden Hotel Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Café Mooy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I was originally heading to the Beer Tasting Room In The Wildeman but, as I was to find out, they are closed on Sundays. Luckily, right across the narrow laneway was another bar called Café Mooy.
Café ‘t Monumentje, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
For Sunday brunch I headed into the western part of Amsterdam. The destination for my trek was Café ‘t Monumentje. Café ‘t Monumentje is a cosy and quaint cafe that serves coffees, pastries and importantly local beers.
Brasserie FLO Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Brasserie FLO Amsterdam is part of the sprawling Eden Hotel Amsterdam and Rembrandt Square Hotel Amsterdam complex.
De Nachtwacht, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
On the western side of Rembrandt Square is a steak restaurant called De Nachtwacht. I visited on a Saturday evening around 6pm but was still able to get a seat out on the well patronised terrace.
Cafe De Sluyswacht, Amsterdam, The Netherland
A magnificent building built in 1695 as the home for the sluice master who operated the sluice gates that still sit in the walls of the canal. Now the building is home to a bar.
Bar Langendijk, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
After walking around East Amsterdam for a couple of hours I spotted the De Gooyer windmill and headed towards it. There are a couple of bars in the shadows of the windmill so I knew I’d be able to get a drink.
Martin’s Social Club, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Feeling a little slow on Saturday morning after one too many beers on Friday evening I emerged from my hotel mid morning looking to have brunch at Martin’s Social Club a block from the hotel.
Beer Temple, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
After my morning walking tour of Amsterdam conducted by Free Dam Tours (highly recommended by the way) I asked Ralph, the tour guide, to point me towards a good craft beer place, and around 10 or so minutes later I was sitting at the bar of Beer Temple.
Cafe Gollem Amstelstraat, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Gollem is a chain of 4 beer cafes in Amsterdam serving a HUGE selection of absolutely magnificent beers. There would be 30 beers of all varieties on tap and probably another 30 or more in bottles. Cafe Gollem Amstelstraat is about 50 metres from my hotel which meant I’d be spending some time here.
Three Sisters Pub, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Another pub looking out on Rembrandt Square is Three Sisters Pub. It has a large outdoor seating area looking out across Rembrandt Square if you’re lucky enough to score one of those tables.
The Old Bell, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I was still getting my bearings around Rembrandt Square when I noticed The Old Bell which turned out to be a traditional English pub.
Molly Malone’s, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Yes, I know its sacrilege to go all the way to Amsterdam and then drink in an Irish pub, but I was at the end of several hours of walking and taking photos in the early evening and needed to eat.
Wurst & Schnitzelhaus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
As the name suggests Wurst & Schnitzelhaus is sausage and schnitzel restaurant at Amsterdam Central Station overlooking IJ Bay.
DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The last stop on my European adventure was Amsterdam. For my Amsterdam home I’d chosen the DoubleTree by Hilton right next to Amsterdam Centraal Station and this was to prove to be my favourite hotel of my trip.