Oct 8 – we arrived in Amsterdam around noon. Our KLM flight left Toronto last night at 11PM. It was a great flight, service was good and and the entertainment system kept us occupied.
Passport control was minimal and after a very long walk we picked up our luggage.
we opt for the train, like a few major European cities, there is an actual train station just below the airport. After you get out of Customs, you go straight and then turn right. Schiphol is a large and slightly confusing airport, and all the airport shops make it feel a bit like a maze, but you find the train station easily enough.
Passport control was minimal and after a very long walk we picked up our luggage.
we opt for the train, like a few major European cities, there is an actual train station just below the airport. After you get out of Customs, you go straight and then turn right. Schiphol is a large and slightly confusing airport, and all the airport shops make it feel a bit like a maze, but you find the train station easily enough.
To reach the hotel you can walk (30 minutes), take a taxi from Central Station (about euro: 10) or trams number 16, 24 or 25 (€ 1.60) getting off at Herengracht or trams number 4 or 9 getting off at Muntplein.
We decided to take a taxi to the hotel just because it is now 1PM and we don't feel like figuring out the system. We were charged 20€ which we later learned was way too much!
We find our hotel and get checked in. 47, Vijzelstraat, 1017 HE, Amsterdam
The Albus is located in the historical heart of Amsterdam and within walking distance from most of the top tourist attractions. The Flower Market and Rembrandt Square are a 3-minute walk away. The Muntplein tram stop is a 5-minute walk away and offers direct access to Amsterdam Central Station and the Museum Square.
The staff are incredibly friendly and can't do enough for you. Our room was ready. It is tiny boutique style but had an espresso machine and a fairly large bathroom.
Once we get settled we are hungry and set out to find our first Dutch meal.
We strolled out and stopped into De Jaren for a sandwich, one brie on brown and one chicken on ciabatta. Very good.
We then decided to wander around a little and just check out our location. It was a cloudy day but not cold.
Our hotel is so very close to everything once we got our sense of direction. The main street Damrak is right around the corner. The Damrak is a partially filled in canal at the centre of Amsterdam, between Amsterdam Centraal railway station and Dam Square, running north-south. It is the main street where people arriving at the station enter the centre of Amsterdam.
We ended up falling across Dam Square.
On the west end of the square is the neoclassical Royal Palace, which served as the city hall from 1655 until its conversion to a royal residence in 1808. Beside it are the 15th-century Gothic Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and the Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.
We strolled out and stopped into De Jaren for a sandwich, one brie on brown and one chicken on ciabatta. Very good.
We then decided to wander around a little and just check out our location. It was a cloudy day but not cold.
Our hotel is so very close to everything once we got our sense of direction. The main street Damrak is right around the corner. The Damrak is a partially filled in canal at the centre of Amsterdam, between Amsterdam Centraal railway station and Dam Square, running north-south. It is the main street where people arriving at the station enter the centre of Amsterdam.
We ended up falling across Dam Square.
On the west end of the square is the neoclassical Royal Palace, which served as the city hall from 1655 until its conversion to a royal residence in 1808. Beside it are the 15th-century Gothic Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and the Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum.
and then strolled through the Red Light District.
By then it was 4:30 and we headed back to the hotel to put our feet up for a while.
But we started to watch British Masterchef and were hooked. Finally we napped and got up at 8:15PM and headed out for a bite to eat. We just went a few doors over to Bella Regina an Italian place for pizza and wine. then back to the hotel to log on and get to bed early.
Cool! Last time I was there I stayed a little southwest of where you were. Did you have Indonesian food?
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