As a self-professed chocoholic, I must let you know about one of my favorite secrets of Amsterdam: Van Stapele Koekmakerij. This cookie-maker in Amsterdam produces some of the best damn chocolate cookies in the city of Amsterdam. I’ll just include some notes about visiting Van Stapele to avoid the crowds, some tips for visiting Van…
The Nine Streets: A guide to Amsterdam’s best boutique shopping
Sometimes, you just need to treat yourself. One of my favorite parts of Amsterdam to go shopping for unique items in Amsterdam is the Nine Streets (Negen Straatjes). This small Amsterdam neighborhood is home to Amsterdam’s best boutique shopping. I include my favorite shops in this stylish shopping district and some tips for getting lunch.
How to get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam by train step-by-step
As someone who lived in Amsterdam, I am often asked how to get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam by train. It’s pretty easy to go independently from Schiphol to Amsterdam (and vice versa), however, I’ve included a step-by-step guide with photos on how to navigate the Dutch trains to get to Amsterdam to start off…
The Hooglandse Church, a Gothic church in Leiden
One of the most beautiful buildings in Leiden is easily the Hooglandse Kerk (translation: Highland Church). This Gothic church is hard to miss while wandering around Leiden and I always love walking past it whenever I’m in Leiden. Unlike many churches in the Netherlands, it is still in use. This article will discuss the interesting…
Van Kleef Distillery: The last jenever distillery in the Hague
As a resident of the Hague, I love to bring guests to Van Kleef Distillery in the Hague. This small historic genever distillery in the Hague is the last distillery remaining today. I’ll be discussing the history of this distillery, which was frequented by Vincent Van Gogh during his time in the Hague, and tips…
Café De Vergulde Kruik: the Heineken star cafe in Leiden
If you’re a lover of Heineken or just old brown bars in general, you will want to check out Cafe De Vergulde Kruik in Leiden. This cozy brown bar is one of the oldest brown bars in the city with an incredible story about the Heineken Star. It’s one of my go-to places for a…
Insider tips for visiting Keukenhof from a local
One of the most famous sites in the Netherlands is Keukenhof. This large garden is only open seasonally, however, it’s world-renown for its beauty. This week’s post is by a Holland local, Lizzie, who is from the area to give you insider tips for visiting Keukenhof, tips for making the best of your trip to…
Your perfect weekend guide to Amsterdam by a former resident
As a former resident of Amsterdam, I made this itinerary for a perfect weekend in Amsterdam as a way of showing friends the best of Amsterdam. Although two days in Amsterdam isn’t enough, it’s a good taste of what the city has to offer. I include some local secrets along with the best things to…
How to set up your mobile phone plan in the Netherlands for expats
One of the first things that you’ll want to do after arriving in the Netherlands is setting up your phone plan! I include a helpful explanation of how phone plans work in the Netherlands. how much you should expect to pay for a mobile phone plan in the Netherlands, the best phone carriers in the…
Hotel Not Hotel Review: A quirky and affordable hotel in Amsterdam
I love a quirky hotel. On my last night living in Amsterdam, I stayed at Hotel Not Hotel. This review of the hotel is not sponsored and I paid for my stay myself. I hope this review helps you judge if Hotel not Hotel is for you…or not.
