The Adventure

At the end of 2023, I decided to take a three-week Christmas trip across Europe. The first stop on this trip was Amsterdam, Netherlands. I’m not sure what drew me to Amsterdam specifically, though I remember my mindset during this trip being to cover as much ground as possible within the limits of my rail pass. Since the Netherlands was a country I hadn’t visited yet, it was a must-visit on my list (and a lot closer to my temporary home in Sweden than many of the other places I visited). Amsterdam, being the capital of the Netherlands, was my destination. Even though I didn’t know much about the city before I visited, the reputation of its canals drew me there.

The canals absolutely lived up to my expectations, greeting me as soon as I stepped out of Amsterdam Centraal. They were everywhere in the central area, and maps show that they extend far beyond where I managed to explore in my day there. Lined with historic homes and churches, Amsterdam’s canals were a wonderful sight to take in. Paired with the fog that covered the city that day, the streets, and canals of Amsterdam had a unique atmosphere that heightened my experience of the Dutch capital.

I walked around Amsterdam for 4 hours, taking in the canals, churches, and homes. I discovered secret passageways and cool statues. Even the malls I walked past in Amsterdam seemed to have history to them. Generally, I’m not the biggest fan of more modern architecture, so being in a city where the homes, shops, restaurants, churches, and streets all had history to them was a remarkable experience. This was also a contributor to my general interest in travelling Europe. A few things that stood out to me during my walking tour include the canals (of course), the Basilica of Saint Nicolas (Basiliek van de Heilige Nicolaas), the Charging Bull statue, the Anne Frank House, and stroopwafels.

I absolutely loved my time in Amsterdam. It really is a beautiful city unlike any other that I’ve seen. However, the city was not without its cons. Before I jump into them, though, I should note that these are based on my personal preferences. Others may not find them as annoying, and some may even encourage them. The first and most noticeable con was that much of the city smelled like marijuana. I didn’t know this before coming, but as I walked around the city, I realized that the legalization of many drugs are part of its identity and appeal to foreigners. The other thing that I forgot about before going was the existence of Amsterdam’s Redlight District. Though I didn’t stumble across it, its influence was evident in all the souvenir stores in Amsterdam. My efforts to secure some unique memorabilia from the Netherlands were impeded by loads of sexually explicit and drug-related souvenirs. I recognize that these two things do draw tourists from all over, my only wish is that it did not draw them to Amsterdam. I truly loved my time in Amsterdam, but I fear that it does not primarily appeal to those interested in its history. If only Amsterdam could’ve been left as it was, and the other stuff taken elsewhere. So would I do this trip again? I’m not sure. I feel like I’ve seen all of what I’d like to see in Amsterdam. If I were offered another trip to Amsterdam, I would probably take it, but as far as making my own decisions, I’d probably choose to explore other parts of the Netherlands instead, such as Rotterdam or the Hague.

Highlight

I have already talked extensively about the canals, so I’ll try to keep this short. The canals were definitely the highlight of the Amsterdam trip. The wide ones and the thin ones, seemingly carved between buildings. To be more specific, when I refer to the canals, I more generally mean the view while looking down one. The crooked houses lining its shores, the stone walkways, and the small stone bridges crossing them at regular intervals. The churches wedged between the other buildings, making them hard to pick out except from a distance. When I look back on my trip to Amsterdam, this is the view that I will remember.

Cost

Though my trips usually operate on an almost non-existent budget, I did allow myself to pick up some souvenirs and local treats from most of the places I visited on this train trip. My first priority in every new country was to secure a national flag. I started a collection before I moved from Canada to Sweden in the summer of 2023, and grew the collection exponentially over my Christmas travels. I also picked up some local flavours of soft drinks, and a stroopwafel, which is a must-try Dutch food. Lastly, I picked up some souvenir socks for myself and a friend, one pair featuring bicycles and the other Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night. Altogether, this cost €16.50, or $25.19 CAD. For me, this was more than I’d spent previously, though overall a very cheap price tag for a day in Amsterdam (excluding transportation costs).

Concluding Thoughts

Despite the cons I mentioned, I would still highly recommend a trip to Amsterdam. It’s a wonderful city full of history and beauty. I definitely enjoyed my time there, and if you ever end up there for whatever reason, I hope you do too.