Baltic Cruise: Amsterdam (Part 1)

Our Baltic cruise was starting in Amsterdam so we decided to spend 2 days exploring this wonderful city before setting off on our cruise.  After a quick flight from Southampton we were in Amsterdam.  When we arrived it was 30 degrees and fortunately our transfer was air conditioned. We used Schiphol Hotel Shuttle who were very efficient and had us at our hotel in no time.  We were staying at the Hotel Ibis Amsterdam Centre Stopera.  We chose this hotel as it was an easy 10 minute walk to the cruise terminal.

After dropping off our luggage, we started to explore the city. It was a beautiful, sunny day and lots of “Amsterdammers” were out with their bikes.  One of the first things we noticed was that the city of Amsterdam provides Free of Charge parking facilities for their bikers in stark contrast to the fee to park your car.

Narrow cobblestone streets above wide canals, red-cheeked children in bicycle baskets, “coffee” shops and cheese to die for.  I don’t have to add tulips and a red light district, we saw it all that afternoon!

The next day we awoke to thunderstorms and rain.  We had a relaxing morning planned as we had pre-booked our tickets on the internet (a must) for the Anne Frank House Museum.  Fortunately the rain was not persistent and we were able to explore the markets and streets. Not once did we use public transport. The city is very flat and you can quite easily  walk everywhere.

The highlight for us was the Anne Frank House.  We found it overwhelming. I defy anyone not to feel emotional seeing where the Jewish teenager and her family hid from the Nazis during World War II.  It was here where she wrote her famous diary before dying aged 16 at Belsen Concentration Camp.

The customers in Amsterdam’s coffee shops are there for the cannabis not the cappuccino. It’s all legal and licensed. You can even choose from “hash” and “weed” menus.  Not really our sort of joint, so we passed on that!

The next day we were up early, excited for the cruise.  We skipped breakfast and after a 10 min walk we were at the cruise terminal.  Check in was quick and easy and by 11 am we were in the windjammer having brunch.