Amsterdam
Our 2019 European vacation began in Amsterdam. Well, technically Paris. We found a great deal on flights in and out of Paris ($545 round trip). We decided to see Paris at the end of our trip rather than the beginning, so directly upon arrival at the airport we boarded a train to Amsterdam. After a sprint through the Paris airport we were on the three hour trip to Amsterdam.
Immediately upon arrival the number of bikes in the city was obvious. This three-story bike parking garage was directly in front of our hotel. There are an estimated 1 million bicycles within the city limits.
We thought the best way to get a feel for the city on our first night was a canal tour. We took a tour through Flagship Amsterdam. The tour began right outside of the Anne Frank house.
After the canal tour we walked checked out Kalverstraat - a major shopping district in the city.
Our first morning we decided to walk to the Rijksmuseum. The Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace) was on the way.
2019 at the Rijksmuseum was the Year of Rembrandt. It is the 350th anniversary of his death so there were several exhibitions dedicated to the artist.
We began the day in the Van Gogh area
The Research Library
Her dream career is a librarian.
The Night Watch
Walking around the canals
Westerkerk - the church right by the Anne Frank house.
Inside the Basilica of Saint Nicholas.
Anne Frank house and Westerkerk
An amazing beef tenderloin and some of the best fries we’ve ever had.
From our hotel. The window made it look like an old photograh.
