I’m a romantic at heart and this cold weather is making me sentimental. Jacob and I moved to Amsterdam about three and a half years ago. We got married in Amsterdam and although Amsterdam has a certain reputation, I find it to be one of the most romantic cities in Europe. I’ve included in my insider tips for my favorite romantic things to do in Amsterdam, cozy romantic hotels perfect for a couple’s weekend, and the best romantic meals in Amsterdam.
…Amsterdam
Your Dutch bucket list: 55+ Amazing things to do in the Netherlands
I’ve been lucky enough to call the Netherlands my home. Visiting family and friends will ask me what is the one thing that they must do in the Netherlands. That answer isn’t so easy. We’ve came up with 55+ things for you to do in the Netherlands to add to your Dutch bucket list based on our time living in the Netherlands. Not everything will be possible (due to weather) during your trip, but I hope that it inspires you to revisit this beautiful country.
…Secret Jordaan: a self-guided walking tour of the Jordaan
One of my favorite neighborhoods in Amsterdam is the Jordaan. If you’re looking to escape some of the crowds of center and experience some of the charm of Amsterdam, you can follow this self-guided walking guide to the Jordaan, one of Amsterdam’s most charming neighborhoods, to see a few secrets of de Jordaan that you might not see otherwise. It’s based on my time living just five minutes away from the Jordaan.
I do my best to discuss history as well as some charming cafes, restaurants, hofjes and streets that I always love to stop into. The walking tour of de Jordaan should take about 1.5 hours. The total distance covered is 2 kilometers (~1 mile), but I encourage you to slow down. Map at the bottom of the post.
…The best Christmas markets in the Netherlands not to miss
Now that Halloween is over, we can shamelessly shift to Sinterklaas. Just kidding, we’re ready for Christmas. Although the Dutch Christmas markets are not as famous as their German counterparts, the Christmas markets in the Netherlands are absolutely charming. I ended up not ranking these strictly as people look for different things in different Christmas markets, but I’ve grouped it based on the opinions of friends. I’ve included ten Christmas markets in the Netherlands and I’ll be updating this post with more experiences/photos this year!
Where to find the best vegan food in Amsterdam by locals
As someone who has to skip Dutch cheese due to my IBS, I eat vegan quite often, however I’ve somehow never written about my favorite vegan places to eat in Amsterdam. I was recently in touch with Desmond and Karim, two Amsterdammers passionate about vegan food, and we’ve put together a helpful guide to the best vegan restaurants in Amsterdam.
…Catspotting: A crazy cat lover’s guide to cats in Amsterdam
I love cats. This is a detailed guide to my beloved Amsterdam with the best places to meet cats in Amsterdam, officially and unofficially, with my favorite cats. If you’re a fan of Catspotting, you’re going to love this guide to Amsterdam. I’m a crazy cat lady and meeting cats when traveling is one of my favorite hobbies.
While living in Amsterdam, my husband and I hunted down the locations of cats in Amsterdam because we are that cat crazy. We found cats living at one of the cat cafes in Amsterdam, roaming the halls of a historic canal house/cat museum filled with cat art, cozying up to potential owners on de Poezenboot (the Catboat), sleeping in various shops, or even breaking into museum gardens.
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What to do in Amsterdam Noord, Amsterdam’s coolest borough
For some reason that I’m not sure, a lot of people that I know are nervous about visiting Amsterdam Noord. This part of Amsterdam is just across the water from the historic city center, so if you think that you’ve seen Amsterdam, take a ferry across to explore Amsterdam Noord. This post will be covering cool things to do in Amsterdam Noord, so be sure to rent a bike and follow my lead.
…Your perfect Netherlands itinerary by a Dutch resident
After over three years of living in the Netherlands, I’ve been asked a lot about how much time to spend in the Netherlands. A lot of people speed through the Netherlands only stopping for one day in Amsterdam, but I’d recommend enjoying at least 7 days in the Netherlands if you have the chance. I’ll be covering the highlights of the Netherlands and tips for getting around the Netherlands in this Dutch itinerary.
…Where to find authentic and cheap food in Amsterdam by a local
Finding the best places to eat in Amsterdam where you’re on a tight budget can be tricky as eating in Amsterdam seems expensive. As a resident of 2+ years of Amsterdam, I wrote this guide to eating in Amsterdam on a budget for anyone looking for cheap restaurants in Amsterdam who want to also eat at non-chains that provide some healthy options!
It’s possible to stay on a budget while eating in Amsterdam, so keep reading for the best cheap eats in Amsterdam.
…The Miniaturist filming locations and must-see places for fans of the book
I burned through the Miniaturist. This charming book about the Dutch Golden Age will transport you to Amsterdam. When I heard that the book was being transformed into a miniseries, I was quite excited. This guide to locations inspired by and shown in the miniseries will allow you to step into Petronella Oortman’s world. Keep reading for the Miniaturist filming locations in the Netherlands!
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