VISITS AND VACATIONS

Hello ladies and gents this is the viking telling you that today we are talking about

AMSTERDAM

Catch the ferry to Amsterdam North

Many visitors to Amsterdam never manage to venture north of Amsterdam Central Station - which is a shame, considering the vibrant food, drink and cultural scene that’s burgeoned across the water, along the banks of the IJ. A short (free) ferry trip will take you to a number of drop off points, including cultural hotspot NDSM, where you can enjoy a host of hip waterside hangouts, frequent festivals and events.

Discover Amsterdam's independent shopping streets

While many visitors head straight to the busy chain-store mecca of Kalverstraat, those in the know get their retail therapy at one of the city's more locally flavoured shopping meccas. The most well known of these is De Negen Straatjes or ‘The Nine Streets’ at a quaint warren of cobbled streets that connect the main canals between Leidsegracht and Raadhuisstraat. 

Here you’ll find over 200 retailers, including a fine selection of independent boutiques, vintage shops and specialty stores selling everything from designer dresses to handmade cosmetics. You'll find a similar shopping experience with less crowds on the hip Haarlemmerdijk, the Utrechtsestraat, or the delightful Czaar Peterstraat in Amsterdam East.   

Alternative tip: If you’re looking for souvenirs to take home, skip the tourist traps and shop for authentic Dutch design and quality Amsterdam brands at the Local Goods Store in De Hallen or the I amsterdam Store in Central Station.

Visit Anne Frank House

Reflect on the atrocities committed against the Jewish people during World War II at the Prinsengracht house where diarist Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis for two years after feeling persecution in Germany. The front of the house is now a thought-provoking museum but the back annex has been preserved to give an idea of what life was like for Anne and the families she hid with. Waiting times are often lengthy; so visit early in the morning or book online in advance to beat the queues.

I hope you liked this post and as always have a chilled day from the Viking.