Amsterdam was an amazing city. Everything it is known for was there: canals, tulips (yes, even in November), houseboats, art and stroopwafel. It was amazing to walk around the canal belt and see the blend of the old canal houses and the new modern development. My train left Brussels at 9am and arrived in Amsterdam at noon, which gave me the afternoon to sightsee. As the sun sets early in Amsterdam, around 16:15 (4:15pm), I only had a few hours of daylight to do everything I wanted to do. My time in Amsterdam may have been short, but I was able to make the most of it and see as much of Amsterdam as I could.
THE CANAL BELT
After arriving at Amsterdam Centraal Station, I made my way through the Red Light district to Rembrandt's house, then to the canal belt. Amsterdam's canal belt is made up of four canals that encircle the center of Amsterdam. I enjoyed walking along the canals on both Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. The one thing I didn't expect with Amsterdam is how aggressive the bikers are – the bike lane is against the canal, so if you want to take a picture you practically stand in the bike lane. I found that the bikers would first run you over before alerting you that they were coming towards you, which I guess makes sense since I was standing in their lane. I tried my best to avoid the bike lanes, but it was difficult at times. Overall, the canal belt was very interesting. Most of the old canal houses had a store on the ground floor and residences on the upper floors, which allowed there to be a lively street side atmosphere. Between the bikes zipping by and the many cafes and coffee shops that lined the canals, walking along the canal belt was not only enjoyable but culturally immersive.
The architecture of the canal buildings were especially unique, where the signature Dutch style was mixed with different eclectic tastes, allowing each street and canal to be different and unique. I enjoyed crossing the bridges and walking on each side of the canal, meandering to where I intended to go. From Amsterdam Centraal I was able to find my way all the way to the Rijksmusuem in the Museum District of Amsterdam, then to my hostel which was situated on the same canal as Anne Frank's house. A big part of my stay in Amsterdam was the canal belt, and it made my stay in Amsterdam that much more enjoyable.
The architecture of the canal buildings were especially unique, where the signature Dutch style was mixed with different eclectic tastes, allowing each street and canal to be different and unique. I enjoyed crossing the bridges and walking on each side of the canal, meandering to where I intended to go. From Amsterdam Centraal I was able to find my way all the way to the Rijksmusuem in the Museum District of Amsterdam, then to my hostel which was situated on the same canal as Anne Frank's house. A big part of my stay in Amsterdam was the canal belt, and it made my stay in Amsterdam that much more enjoyable.
WORLD CLASS ART
Beyond canals and syrupy stroopwafels, Amsterdam is known for it's art. Although I was unable to go into the Rijksmuseum – which houses a large collection of works done by Dutch masters – based on my limited time in Amsterdam, I was able to see the Rembrandt Museum and the Van Gogh Museum.
The Rembrandt Museum is situated in Rembrandt's canal house from 1606. The museum houses work done by Rembrandt himself, as well as work by other Dutch masters, as Rembrandt was both an artist and art broker. The museum guides you through the entertaining, living and working quarters that Rembrandt used as he produced many of his works. Highlights included his print studio – which contained some priceless prints – as well as his studio on the second floor of his house. The experience immersed me in the history of Rembrandt's life and the story behind his work. It was such a special opportunity to see where he lived and worked while being in Amsterdam.
Even more impressive than the Rembrandt Museum was the Van Gogh Museum. The museum is in the Museum District, across from the Rijksmuseum and the Banksy Museum, two museums I wish I had the time to see. The museum houses the largest collection of Van Gogh works, with over 200 paintings, prints, and drawings. As no photos were allowed in the museum, I do not have any pictures of the paintings I saw, but I was able to see Bedroom in Arles, The Potato Eaters, Almond Blossoms, Sunflowers, and Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat. Such an opportunity to walk through Van Gogh's artistic life was truly phenomenal. Such famous paintings were stunning to see in real life, and to see the drawings and sketches that led to the paintings were equally impressive. I am glad I was able to see such a famous museum in Amsterdam, an experience that is almost surreal in nature. With over four floors of art that tell the story of Van Gogh's life, the museum is a must see while in Amsterdam.
The Rembrandt Museum is situated in Rembrandt's canal house from 1606. The museum houses work done by Rembrandt himself, as well as work by other Dutch masters, as Rembrandt was both an artist and art broker. The museum guides you through the entertaining, living and working quarters that Rembrandt used as he produced many of his works. Highlights included his print studio – which contained some priceless prints – as well as his studio on the second floor of his house. The experience immersed me in the history of Rembrandt's life and the story behind his work. It was such a special opportunity to see where he lived and worked while being in Amsterdam.
Even more impressive than the Rembrandt Museum was the Van Gogh Museum. The museum is in the Museum District, across from the Rijksmuseum and the Banksy Museum, two museums I wish I had the time to see. The museum houses the largest collection of Van Gogh works, with over 200 paintings, prints, and drawings. As no photos were allowed in the museum, I do not have any pictures of the paintings I saw, but I was able to see Bedroom in Arles, The Potato Eaters, Almond Blossoms, Sunflowers, and Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat. Such an opportunity to walk through Van Gogh's artistic life was truly phenomenal. Such famous paintings were stunning to see in real life, and to see the drawings and sketches that led to the paintings were equally impressive. I am glad I was able to see such a famous museum in Amsterdam, an experience that is almost surreal in nature. With over four floors of art that tell the story of Van Gogh's life, the museum is a must see while in Amsterdam.