Apple, cinnamon and freshly baked spiced pastries, all scents that remind me of Amsterdam. Not what you expected right? Read on to find out why.
I am under no illusions; I came rather late to the Amsterdam game with my first visit in my 31st year. That being said, for me it was well worth the wait. I am able to see Amsterdam exactly the way I want to. I stay in beautiful hotels, eat amazing food and shop until my feet can take no more.
I am sure that if asked most people would equate Amsterdam to the red light district and smoking cannabis. They could not be more wrong! Amsterdam is a shopper’s paradise, a foodie’s heaven and a cultural melting pot.
Interestingly, my first trip to Amsterdam was with two of my closest female friends. All of us are Bankers who love nothing more than an opportunity to explore and travel the world. Located less than an hour from London, Amsterdam is the perfect location for a girls weekend.
Flights
Regarding flights, I usually fly out early on a Saturday morning and return on Sunday evening. I favour British Airways and usually take the 6.45am flight from London Heathrow to Schipol. I return on the 6.25pm flight from Schipol to London on the Sunday evening. I manage to unpack and be in bed by before 10pm, I need every minute of my beauty sleep.
Once I arrive at Schipol everything seems to falls into place, I’m touching wood at this point. Schipol was ranked as the 11th largest airport in the world. As such, it takes around 20 minutes to walk from baggage reclaim to the trains, not that I do checked baggage for an overnight flight.
Once at the train platform I purchase a train tickets from a self-service machine and head for Amsterdam Centraal station (15 minutes by train). From Centraal Station you can board a tram bound for any part of the city.
Navigating Around The City
Top Tip – download Citymapper. Do it immediately! it will plan your journeys around Amsterdam. In fact, it can currently navigate you around 39 of the largest cities in the world.
Citymapper and the introduction of ‘free European roaming’ for mobile phones has changed my life. By free roaming I mean the ability to use your phone package allowances abroad, namely data. With data I can find restaurants, tourist attractions and Citymapper helps me to get there.
Breakfast Time
The first thing I do when I arrive at Centraal Station is head towards De Vier Pilaren for poffertjes. If you have no idea as to what I am talking about, I am about to change your world. If you have an idea and indeed, a better recommendation, comment below, share the knowledge.
I present poffertjes……..
Poffertjes, Strawberries, Chocolate Sauce and Banana Ice Cream.
Put simply, poffertjes are a traditional Dutch dessert resembling fluffy little pancakes.
Where can you buy one of these machines?
True story, I was so addicted to these that I actually bought a poffertjes pan from Amazon. How did I survive 33 years without this key kitchen apparatus?
After I have eaten as many poffertjes as my waistline will allow, I then head to my hotel. I always choose to stay close to the city centre. During my last trip we decided to stay at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam.
Hotel
The Sofitel (Source: Qantas.com)
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam is an Amsterdam landmark. Smack bang in the centre, you cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of tranquility and occasion when you walk past the arches leading to the courtyard.
I need to digress for a moment to talk about the service at The Sofitel. My first experience of this hotel was in 2017 on a Sunday in May, another girls trip. My girlfriends and I chanced upon the hotel whilst walking around looking for somewhere to eat. We walked in, were shown into a secret garden and spent the afternoon sipping champagne.
Messing About On The River
Once we had drunk and eaten our full we decided that we had enough time to take a canal tour. Despite not having stayed at The Sofitel we approached the concierge desk and they arranged everything for us. All that we needed to do was meet outside at the hotel’s mooring point.
30 minutes later we arrived to a welcome from the Head Concierge and our own private canal boat. We hopped on-board and enjoyed seeing Amsterdam by boat.
I even managed to focus long enough to make a video.
There is no shortage of tour operators offering canal tours. Our cruise was private and cost €250 for two hours. We chose the option for alcohol but forewent the tour guide. You can book food, theatre, boozy and guided tours. There’s something for everyone.
Now to my next Amsterdam ritual, Winkel’s to buy a slice of apple pie.
Better Than Grandma’s Apple Pie
Believe it or not, this is their standard slice.
I am aware that every country, city, town and village has a version of the apple pie. Recipes are handed down from generation to generation. I have tasted many throughout the world and can honestly say that Winkel’s apple pie (appeltaart) is by far one of my favourites.
Each and every part of this pie equates to perfection. This is a deep dish pie packed to the brim with firm spiced apples. The pastry is crumbly whilst being crunchy, laced with sugar and spices, nothing like the shortcrust pastry used for the majority of apple pies around the world. Served with whipped cream, one slice is more than enough to feed two people; I am yet to finish a whole slice on my own.
The overall scent of the pie is one of the easiest to describe, think apple, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Think Christmas. The spicy warmth reminds me of The White Company’s Winter Signature Candle and whilst I reserve this type of candle for Christmas, I can eat Winkel’s pie all year round.
As an aside, Winkel also has breakfast, lunch and dinner menus to compliment your slice of apple pie. PersonalIy, I prefer a glass of bubbles with my slice of heaven.
Bubbles go with everything.
Shop Till You Drop
Located in Jordaan, Winkel is 15 minutes from my favourite shopping areas, The Nine Streets, aka de Negen Straatjes. These streets are made up of three parallel avenues which are broken up by the Keizersgracht and Herengracht canals, making nine little sections, hence the name.
You will find everything here from the coolest clothes and shoe boutiques to gift shops, fine dining restaurants, brunch spots and much more. I have spent hours eating, window shopping and drinking in this area.
When my two arms can carry no more I usually head back to my hotel to rest and change for dinner.
Whilst The Nine Streets is my favourite shopping area I always take a different route on my way to and from my hotel. As such, I am always discovering new boutiques, cafes and restaurants.
Dinner Time
There are no shortage of amazing restaurants in Amsterdam but one of my favourites is the Bluespoon Restaurant and Bar in the Andaz Hotel.
Source @thestylejunkies.com
The reason, the chefs literally cook in the restaurant. You can see everything they cook. The techniques, the teamwork, the synchronisation and creation of each and every dish.
the kitchen in the middle of the restaurant.
The food is exactly what you would expect of a high-end, luxury European restaurant, beautifully presented, innovative and balanced flavours. For me, the restaurants unique selling point is the dinning room and kitchen design. Trust me, it is worth a visit!
After a long day of eating, shopping and drinking, it is time from my beauty sleep. Day 2 is always twice as busy as day 1.
Leave a Comment