Michael and I visited Amsterdam in the middle of a Europe trip we were taking in July 2017. We started in London and then flew to Amsterdam. After comparing the options of taking a train, a ferry or flying, we decided that flying was the most time efficient and affordable option. Our plane tickets were 66 dollars and the ferry would have been the same price, but would have taken overnight. Once in Amsterdam it was easy to take the tram from the airport to our next stop. We checked into our flat which was huge and amazing and right on the canal.

After checking in we went to lunch at Albert Cuypmarkt which is a huge outdoor market that is open Monday through Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm. The market began trading in 1904, now over 300 stalls line both sides of the Albert Cuyp street in the neighborhood of De Pijp. Stalls sell everything from fruit, vegetables, cheese, fish and spices to clothes, cosmetics and bedding. We got these spinach and feta wraps from a stand which were delicious, we also bought some fresh cherries.

After lunch we went on a free walking tour called The Free Sam Tour and it was 2.5 hours through the red light district, shops, churches and canals. Most cities offer free walking tours and I feel like it is the best way to see a city and have a local guide you around town.

After the tour we got ready for dinner and dressed up since it was for my birthday dinner. We went to Harmsen for dinner which was delicious. We split the caprese salad and bread and then both got the fish special which was cod and roasted vegetables. We paired our dinner with a chardonnay from France, Chateau Saint Roch, Limoux, which was amazing.

After dinner Michael suggested we should put our heart lock on one of the bridges. As we were walking down the street to this bridge I noticed this girl taking pictures of the canals by herself. As we approached the bridge Michael started getting very short with his answers and was acting different. Once we were on the bridge he turned to me and got down on one knee and proposed. Of course I said yes and Sylvia started taking pictures from all angles. Her photography is very natural and we did not pose at all. She walked us around Amsterdam for the next hour as we took pictures on the bridges and canals. It was perfect.

After our photo shoot we went to the top of  a hotel with a rooftop bar, the Sky Lounge. This bar has amazing views over the city and we both enjoyed a glass of prosecco. From there we walked back home and got chocolate waffles which are sold everywhere over the city. It was the end to a perfect night.

The next morning we went to Ten Katemarkt which was interesting and very local but did not have a lot of lunch food. We were lucky to stumble upon the Foodhallen which was located down a side street near the market. Foodhallen is a huge hall with street food style booths that has everything from Mexican, Japanese, Korean, Italian, French and a bar. We picked up our food and some drinks from a near by store and went to Vondelpark to have a picnic.

Vondelpark is the largest city park in Amsterdam, and one of the most famous park in the Netherlands. This is a huge park with ponds and plenty of locals and tourists laying on the grass and playing sports.

After the park, we went to The Anne Frank House. You need to buy a ticket online for 8 euro if you don’t want to wait in a 2-4 hour line. They sell tickets online for entrance until 3:30 pm and then they start to sell tickets at the door after 3:30 pm if you want to wait in line.  Visiting The Anne Frank House was very moving and it was hard to imagine eight people living in such tight quarters without being able to going outside. It was an eye opening experience.

After The Anne Frank House, we walked to Brouwerij’t il, which is  an artisan microbrewery with a large outdoor drinking area under one of Amsterdam’s windmills. The beer was great and the people were friendly. They don’t serve dinner but they do have cheese plates, dry sausage and peanuts.

From here we walked home through the Redlight district to see what it was all about. It is definitely an experience and I would say it is a site to see. We ended the night with a crepe and then headed to our flat.

The next morning for breakfast we walked to Juice to Boost and  got acai bowls for breakfast. We then walked 45 minutes to Westergasfabriek, which I as expecting to be a huge market, but it was not. It apparently only has a market on Sundays so I would not recommend making the trek unless it is the weekend. However, we did find the “iamsterdam” sign and took pictures here. We also got coffee at De Bakkerswinkel and made our game plan for the day.

From there we picked up some lunch at SLA which has fresh salads that you can make.

After lunch we stumbled upon a cheese museum that was touristy but had a ton of free cheese samples, which was amazing. We then made our way to Banketbakkerij Van Der Linde, which is this amazing ice cream place. They serve one flavor, vanilla, and it was the best ice cream I think I have ever has. It was creamy and lite and fluffy. Make sure you go during the day, they are only open until 5:45.

After ice cream we walked towards our canal boat cruise with Kin tours. You get two drinks with the tour and it is a nice and open boat. The tour guide was funny and informative.

After the boat tour and some down time at the flat, we went to Roest for dinner. Roest is located in a complex of warehouses kind of on its own and is somewhat secluded from the busy city, which  made it a nice place to feel like a local and relax. It is open late and has food drinks and a sandy beach like space.  There is a large outside terrace with a laid back atmosphere with picnic tables along the calm waterfront canal. This is a great place for dinner, drinks and music.

As our trip came to an end we put a love lock on the bridge Michael proposed on and threw the key in the water to close our trip to Amsterdam.