We've been to Amsterdam.
It's a very beautiful city.
A short flight and free wine? Thanks, KLM. That's what I call a good start to a city break.
We stayed in a typically tall and narrow 17th century house in the Jordaan area...
complete with original staircase and stepped gable.
At the end of our little street was the Brouwersgracht (Brewers canal).
The elaborately-shaped gables on the buildings in Amsterdam are wonderful.
We spotted one of the the hook and pulley arrangements being used; most staircases are too narrow and steep to get large pieces of furniture into a house any other way.
Canals and bikes are ubiquitous.
This is the river Amstel;
We really enjoyed our food, coffees, and a Heineken or two...
and the company of Sabena and Gary is always much appreciated.
There is no way Simon or I would have gone up there with the kids, so it's just as well auntie and uncle were with us to do the fairground bit.
The Beginjhof courtyard...
so peaceful, it's hard to believe you are in the middle of a bustling city.
We even found a few local vintage shops for a browse...
and a flea market at Waterlooplein.
Vintage fur coats, wedding dresses, heaps of clothing, and boxes of all sorts; it was like an open air jumble sale. Cheap too; I bought a jacket for 2 Euros (£1.45).
Always useful to have a warm coat that breaks the wind.
As you can see, the weather was perfect; sunshine and clear blue skies.
We couldn't face the lengthy queues for the Rijksmuseum or Anne Frank's house, so those will be on the agenda for any future visit.
Instead, we ambled in the sunshine, took a boat trip, ate and drank, and thoroughly enjoyed this cool and relaxed city.
Oh Nina...
Dankuwel, Amsterdam - we'll be back!
Linking to Patti's Visible Monday and Judith's Hat Attack.
xxx
39 comments:
Lucky you! It looks stunning, especially the buildings. I love the one with the painted tiles - sublime. And you even managed a flea market. What fun. Will we get to see the farting jacket next time? xxxx
I've been so looking forward to this post. Looks like you had a fabulous time en famille, and really, the weather has been so beautiful for getting out and about this year so far. Amsterdam always looks like it's got the lot; beautiful architecture, views, culture, history, food. It's definitely on my list one of these days. Vix said the flea markets are famous. £1.45? That's crazy! Not even Chesterfield can beat that. Real shame about Anne Frank's house. I'd definitely want to see that. I'm with you on the heights. Absolutely no way! Owen's looking a bit of a cool dude with his beanie hat there! Xxxxx
What a delightful break. I've only visited Amsterdam on a college trip - sleep going there, one day there - sleep home ! so want to go back with plenty of time. We did visit Anne Frank's house which was so atmospheric. love your photos which make me want to return all the more xx
Gorgeous city (and it has a handbag museum so what more could you wish for??)
I kept getting talked at in Dutch when I was there, clearly my 1/4 Dutch genes are my looks!
What a wonderful visit! The city looks beautiful - I haven't been there yet and your pics are terrific. What a charming and beautiful family you have. xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I had a great weekend in Amsterdam many many years ago, I also got mistaken for a local (I definitely don't look Dutch!). I'd love to go back one day. Looks like you all had a brilliant time.
What a perfect family holiday, such a beautiful place and your photographs are gorgeous.
Welcome back xx
I adore Amsterdam. So fun you could get away and managed to sneak in a bit of vintage shopping.
Those crazy staircases there are insane.
Looks like a fun little getaway.
bisous
Suzanne
Oh, my! I've always wanted to go there you lucky duck! I'm glad you all had fun :)
Oh my, what a great adventure!! I keep forgetting that you can hop on a plane and in a very short time be in another country with a different language. It looks like the whole bunch of you had a fabulous time! The house is gorgeous - well, all the architecture there is impressive, and the canals, and the bikes. I hope that the holiday spirit stays with you for a while.
Good job finding the vintage shop.
The pulleys reminded me of living in Boston, Mass. Nothing would clear the staircase so everything moved via the windows (sofa, piano, etc.).
Everyone looks so relaxed and happy, so a successful trip. I cannot imagine what a sign requesting an, "Experienced girl" would get you in my city. Actually, I *can* imagine...
How exciting Curtise, Amsterdam looks wonderful and weren't you lucky with the fab weather? So much to see and visit, no wonder you didn't manage it all. Your accommodation looks great...was it airbnb by any chance??
Had a titter at your jacket label and the ad for ......bar staff? I'd love a mooch around that vintage shop. Xxx
Eep...Claudia is nearly as tall as you. Your kiddies are growing up.
Your trip looks wonderful. I'm always a bit envious that travel between countries in the UK and Europe is blissfully easy to do.
You'll be able to get some laughs from that label...you definitely got a chuckle from me.
I have 3 Jo Nesbo books on my bookshelf. I haven't started any of them yet. Do you like the character and author's style of writing?
Oh wow, what a lovely place! I'm so in awe that you can just BE there in so short a time (I can't even get to Vancouver that fast!).
Love your pictures as always.
I just love Amsterdam. It's just so dam cute! And what a fun place for a family vacation. My my. Claudia is almost as tall as her mom! She'll be stealing your wind breaking coat and all your other fabulous things before you know it.
thanks for sharing your vacation with us. What a beautiful city. Those buildings are so cool looking. It does make you wonder how the ladies got up those steep stairs.
absolutely fabulous!!!
we should make a european blogger meetup in that fancy hotel!!!
looks like a fantastic trip - and with all your loved ones! ashes on my head - i never was in amsterdam. it´s just to near and reachable i think. but it is on the list!
love the flowery dresses you and claudia are wearing! and of cause your red "library" dress .-)
xxxxx
What a wonderful snapshot of such a beautiful city. This is somewhere my eldest wants to visit and is definitely on our wishlist of places to go. Those buildings at house moving time are a challenge!
Love the photo of you and your daughter you both look so smart.
What a brilliant way to spend half term.
Lisa x
Gorgeous photo's I love Amsterdam I went before I was married and had my boys on a girly weekend. We did the Anne Frank museum if you get he chance go next time it really is a time capsule and leaves you breathless with what they went through while there. I have to say we did the red light district and China town to and the red light district was not as sleazy as I thought it was going to be. I would love to go back it really is a charming place and high lighted to me yet again by you gorgeous photo's, dee xxx
That looks lovely - such nice weather for the trip, too. I love The Netherlands (and the food, especially the little poffertjes pancakes...). Thank you for sharing your photos, they're so cheering.
I would love to go to Europe in the fall! How did you decide what to pack for the day? Your wardrobe fits perfectly with the city style.
How lovely. An old school friend of mine has just got back from there so I have had a double dose of such a pretty place xxx
Nice to see you all enjoyed your trip so much! Indeed, the place looks so beautiful and peaceful. I really admire the houses, so cute and lovely! And how lucky it was to have such wonderful weather!
Beautiful!
Fabulous post and beautiful photos. I love Amsterdam, it rocks and is a stunning place. How lucky are we that it's just over the water? Glad you all had such a great time. Have to say, I'd have been on those rides without an invitation!
A jacket that breaks the wind is a must I feel.
Loves ya!
xxxxxxx
Oh, hope you found the "9 Streets" too. Waterloo plein is a lovely market. Have been to Amsterdam a few times. Partly as foolhardy at age 15 (loved to visit Heineken museum and be able to drink "as much as you like" during one hour) and a few times with the family in adulthood (slightly wiser).
What gorgeous light! Small wonder so many master painters made their homes in Amsterdam. You've done justice to the colors and architectural patterns, Curtise; not only in your photos, but also in that brilliant green and red dress.
Idiomatic expressions are good for double-takes and giggles. I can easily imagine myself mis-speaking the desired qualities for a coat or a barmaid...
Lovely photos, and so pleased you managed to pick up a piece of vintage clothing too, can't wait to see it.
We have just moved there. We feel in love with the place back in March . And has a huge expat community. You should have gone to the design museum and to nemo. I work there. The kids would have loved it, it's a science centre. Also there is a fantastic market at Albert kryupp. You should come back!
I've so been looking forward to this post! My brother didn't take a single photo when he went, the miserable git!
Love the tall thin houses, fancy getting to stay in one. The architecture is just gorgeous and so's your lot. I love that peeping cow and the blue angel. so many wonderful little details.
Not doing all the tourist places is a brilliant excuse to go back and, as you say, it's only a hop, skip and a jump away.
Show us that wind breaking jacket! Those flea market stalls look amazing and so cheap.
Love you! xxxxxx
Oh ... so beautiful ! And we are planning to go there next year !
xxx
Looks like a very enjoyable family getaway. One of the great things about Europe is that so many places are just a short flight away. You can be in another country in less than an hour. Amsterdam looks lovely - the architecture is very pretty.
A good coat really should break the wind, don't you think? I want to see a photo!
Amsterdam looks amazing!! Such gorgeous buildings, thankfully you took lots of photos to share, I really do thank you!!
The photos of Amsterdam and your family are glorious. I haven't been, but I absolutely want to experience this beautiful city. Love the architecture and the smiling faces.
Thank you for sharing THREE hats on Hat Attack. A very special surprise!
Looks brill, I really, really fancy going there! X
it's a fabulous city to visit, even better if you stay in one of those typical houses, which I adore!. Really amazing!
Glad you enjoy it, all the streets and canals and boats and bycicles (and beer!). Sorry you couldn't visit the Rijksmuseum, it's better if you go early in the morning, before they open!, but you can take it as a excuse to go back to Amsterdam!
besos
It seems you had a wonderful stay in Amsterdam with you family. It looks like the perfect place for a family vacation. I do hope to get the chance to visit this city some day.
You took some awesome photos...thank you for taking us with you on and giving us this virtual tour of the city.
How fabulous to be able to duck over to Amsterdam … the downside of living down under … it's just sooooo far from anything else.
xx
What a lovely family trip! Thanks for sharing your photos, I'd love to visit here one day. New Zealand may be beautiful - but its a LONG way from anything.
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