I was admittedly taken aback by the quaint architecture lining Ferdinand Bolstraat, relaxed by Amsterdam’s unique charm.
After aimless wandering, I was approached by a man working with I Amsterdam, the tourist organization claiming to be the “motto that creates the brand for the city and people of Amsterdam.”
He spotted my giant suitcase and apparent confusion, and decided to provide some much needed direction.
“Not in the back, keep everything in the front,” his first words warned of potential pickpockets, an omnipresent threat along my jaunt through Europe, though I never once felt threatened by any such thief. He quickly sent me along in the right direction, and I made it to the Bicycle Hotel on Van Ostadestraat shortly after.
The Bicycle Hotel is a comfortable bed and breakfast located in De Pijp, a busy neighborhood just south of central Amsterdam. The Bicycle Hotel’s first floor is a long, warm space lined with couches, computers with free Wi-Fi, and a kitchen for complimentary Dutch breakfast each morning. My room was small and narrow, cluttered by bunk beds that blocked my full suitcase from wheeling by. The room opened up a bit towards the back window, and I did enjoy the personal balcony and folding chair well suited for leisurely reads overlooking a quiet, urban enclave at sunset.
Shortly after arriving and storing my luggage, I left my hotel in search of the Museumplein (Museum Square) and Rijksmuseum, showcasing the finest art of the Dutch Golden Age. I enjoyed close inspection of some Rembrandt’s classics (The Night Watch, The Sampling Officials), and enhanced my time at the gallery with The Masterpieces audio tour (headphones and a small player device) for an additional € 5 on top of my € 12,50 admission price.
After walking back from the Museumplein to the hotel, I decided to walk nearby to a Dutch spin on an American classic. Burgermeester (Burger Master), a classy, upscale burger joint on Albert Cuypstraat, had a small outdoor seating section that invited me in to drool over an impressive menu featuring tuna, veggie, and beef burgers with toppings like truffle egg and pancetta (Biefburger Royaal) and Texels lam, chorizo, and jalapeños (Spaanse Lamburger). Burgermeester has 3 locations in Amsterdam and prices are very reasonable at between € 3 and € 8,50 depending on burger size and toppings.
My second day in Amsterdam began with a trip to the Anne Frank House, located on the Prinsengracht (Prince’s Canal), about a 40 minute walk from my hotel in De Pijp. Stepping foot in the Secret Annex, the room that hid Anne and her family, was a surreal experience as its narrow entrance hid behind a movable bookcase.
Exploring the Anne Frank House revealed the harsh circumstances once faced by the oppressed Jewish in Europe; dark, cramped quarters serving as a welcome home away from the ruthless oppression in the outside world.
After leaving the Anne Frank house, I stopped by the Cafe d’Oude Wester, an inconspicuous restaurant on Rozengracht near the Westerkerk (Western Church), which boasts the highest church tower in Amsterdam. My meal at Café d’Oude Wester had me rejuvenated and strolling back down Prinsengracht, admiring the boats in the canal as I headed to my hotel to rest.
Want more? See our list of 10 things not to do in Amsterdam.
