Travels in Amsterdam – Day 4

7^th July 2011

Breakfast was followed by a look at a building which housed a trade which made the city of Amsterdam famous – diamonds.

This was followed by a final stroll through Vondel Park before returning to the hotel to collect luggage prior to departing to the airport for the journey home, strong in the knowledge that a visit to this historic city is a journey to savour.

Travels in Amsterdam – Day 3

In the morning we visited The Van Gogh museum.  A well designed structure which gently guides the visitor around the gallery enabling the best possible views of the pictures on display.

Van Gogh Museum

The viewing was followed by a casual stroll through nearby Vondel park where we stopped for lunch and I ate a delicious chicken sandwich with a cool glass of lemon beer.

Vondel Park

That evening we dined in an Italian restaurant off Leidseplein square near to our hotel.

Travels in Amsterdam – Day 2

5^th July 2011

Amsterdam is such a delightful city I feel guilty for having left it so long before visiting it.  We have found an excellent café for breakfast supplying delicious coffee and croissants.

Once fortified, we set off on foot to explore the city centre.

This shop said cheese and cried out to be photographed.

Even dogs travel by bicycle.

Like all historic cities there is so much going on around there is all sorts to see.  The Dutch are famed for their artist and Rembrandt’s house is well set out and well worth the visit.

We returned to the hotel late in the afternoon.  Then that evening dined again at the breakfast café where I ate a large portion of spare ribs and French fries washed down with a pint of Heineken.  It was deliciously unhealthy but I felt it was okay to indulge in a one off taste of decadence.

Travels in Amsterdam – Day 1.

4^th July 2011-07-04

Set out to Gatwick at 3 am and our flight landed at 9.20 am local time.  It was a bright sunny day so we found our hotel then went on a canal cruse.

I have never seen so many bicycles in one place before.