Want to know how to spend two, action-packed days in the World’s sixth happiest country? Well, you’ve come to the right travel blog. Starting with a flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) with one layover in Paris for $1,296, I started my journey. Upon arriving at Amsterdam Airport, I immediately ordered an Uber and travelled to the Urban Lodge Hotel. As soon as I arrived, I was blown away with the hotel’s aesthetic. The lobby had a fireplace to keep residents warm and the overall look had a mixture of city and country life through the way the neutral colors accented the wood throughout the building. In addition to how nice the hotel looked, it was even better that the hotel included free WiFi and free breakfast before noon.
After checking in and getting ready for the day, I got started with the good stuff, beginning with food, of course. I heard a lot about Amsterdam’s food markets so I asked two of the employees at the desk where they suggest I eat. Literally, within seconds they both told me about a market called Foodhallen along with how to get there and any other place in the city through the GVB multi-day ticket. The GVB ticket provides travelers with unlimited travel throughout Amsterdam, both day and night, on the bus, tram, and metro, for the number of days that fits your plans. I ended up taking the tram to Foodhallen, and I’ll go ahead and make this claim that anyone who visits Amsterdam MUST also stop by. It’s an upscale food market with various cuisines ranging from American and Vietnamese to Greek and Italian. I couldn’t help but sample multiple restaurants, but if I had to pick a favorite it would be Dim Sum because of the authentic dumpling sauce. It doesn’t compare to any other that I’ve tasted.
After leaving Foodhallen, I ventured deeper into the city and couldn’t help but notice a huge coffee shop called “The Bulldog the First.” If you’re unfamiliar with the hype surrounding the coffeeshops in Amsterdam, just know that they’re far from your regular Starbucks. These coffee shops are legal dispensaries for marijuana. Apparently this particular one is among the most famous, seeing as it’s the first coffee shop built in Amsterdam. The entire place had a cozy feel with rock and roll decor and the items on the menu were affordable with most of the weed-infused food and drinks ranging between €6-€15. However, it doesn’t take a purchase at this coffeeshop to get high. Anyone who steps foot in there and hangs out long enough is liable to get a contact high from the strong smell alone. Next on the agenda was the infamous sex museum on Damrak near Central Station. For only €5, I could view a selection of paintings, artifacts, interactive displays, wax figures and huge plastic phalluses. While it may not be everyone’s idea of fun, it’ll make for an interesting experience nonetheless especially if you need interesting backdrops for pictures to post on Instagram.
On the second day of the Amsterdam trip, I knew I couldn’t miss out on the canal tours since the weather got much nicer after it rained a little bit that morning. For €16 I took a tour throughout the rivers of Amsterdam for about an hour and listened to the tour guide teach about the historical significance of the designs and structures of the canal houses and buildings nearby. If you’re a photographer or genuinely like taking pictures of unique scenery, this kind of activity is another MUST SEE. After the canal tours, it was the perfect time to spend a few hours of shopping and eating at Magna Plaza, a well-known shopping outlet. Much to my surprise, looking at the architecture and dining at the food court were the highlights of my time spent at Magna Plaza even more than the stores themselves.
Once it got late, the night ended with people watching and sight-seeing at the Red Light District. If you’re on a family trip with your kids, you’ll have to skip out on this part of your trip. However, if you’re with a mature and age-appropriate group then I definitely suggest walking through this red, neon colored strip and bask in the ambience of sex shops, peep shows and coffee shops. While it has a reputation for debauchery, being there feels quite normal and safe due to the fact that sex work is a highly respected profession in Amsterdam.
Overall, my two-day stay in Amsterdam was a success and even though I didn’t stay long, I don’t feel as though the trip lacked anything. Getting even a short glimpse of Amsterdam will help anyone understand why the Netherlands is one of the happiest countries on earth.
Full price breakdown in euros and the equivalent in US dollars: Round Trip airline ticket from RDU to AMS- $1,296 Stay at Urban Lodge Hotel- €200 ($222.10) Uber to hotel – €42,37 ($47.05) GVB transportation ticket- €13 ($14.44) Foodhollen- €20 ($22.21) Bulldog The First Coffee Shop- €15 ($16.66) Sex museum- €5 ($5.55) Canal ride- €16 ($17.77) Food at Magna Plaza- €16 ($17.77) Original Pancake Restaurant at Red Light District- €7.50 ($8.33)
Total price: €334,87 ($1,667.88)
In closing, it cost the White T-Shirt Guy €334,87 (euros) $1,667.88 (dollars) to spend a weekend in Amsterdam and so can you.
Question, Is it hard to get you money changed into the currency of each of the places you go? Or maybe U.S. money is welcomed there?
I wouldn’t say hard. Most local banks in the United States will exchange your currency. I always check there first. You may also exchange at airports and bus stations around the world.
Not bad. I’m definitely interested in that coffee shop!