Things to Do Your First Time in Paris and Amsterdam
Posted on May 24, 2009 by Robert Sessions - Product Marketing Manager
I am traveling with my family to the Netherlands and France at the end of May to show them around two of Europe’s most popular cities – Amsterdam and Paris.
After a stopover in New York City to show my parents around the Big Apple, we are flying to Amsterdam which is one of my favorite cities in Europe.
Looking out on the canal in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
While everyone loves the shock factor of the Red Light District and the coffee houses, there is so much more that Amsterdam has to offer. Of course they have great museums like the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, but they also have the Heineken Experience for beer lovers like me. Although it can be quiet somber, everyone should go to the Anne Frank House at least once.
To get ourselves oriented with the city’s layout and canals – as well as a special view of Amsterdam’s beautiful architecture – I have booked us one of our Canal Cruises that we will take as soon as we arrive. I am still debating if I can make it through the Red Light District Tour with my parents without blushing too many times. I still have a few weeks to decide…
Eurail
To get around the Netherlands and France, we got a Benelux France rail pass. While most multi-country passes count every country individually, BElgium, the NEtherlands, and LUXemburg only count as one country known as “Benelux”. Three countries for the price as one, which is going to allow us to stop for a look in Brussels on our way to Paris!
Paris
I am really excited about seeing Paris with my family.
Sure we will see amazing sights, but I am more excited about the French food. I come from a family that loves all things culinary and we look for any excuse to dine on fantastic food.
Why wait for Thanksgiving when you can have an Arbor Day turkey we say, but I digress… France has some of the best food I have ever eaten, and some of the best restaurants to eat it in. We will do our best to eat as much as we can, and wash it down with delicious wine.
When not stuffing our faces with some of the world’s best grub, we are definitely going to check out the amazing sites like the Eiffel Tower, the Sacre Coeur, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe. STA offers a two-day “hop-on-hop-off” bus tour that we are going to use get us around the city.
Next year… Japan.
Amsterdam Photo Credit: fazen on Flickr
Eiffel Tower Photo Credit: Anirudh Koul on Flickr
4 Responses to 'Things to Do Your First Time in Paris and Amsterdam'
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Okay, my entire comment got erased so now it’s bullet points. I was there last week and its by far my favourite place I’ve been to. Absolutely beautiful. Musts:
*Eat poffertjies aka fritters at this place in Leidseplein on the river by the Hard rock cafe
*Canal boat tour and then hire a bike with Mac bikes
*The Dampkring coffee shop where oceans 12 was filmed
*Red light district, obviously
*The Dam square
*Free walking tour with Sandemans
*Anne Frank huis
*If it’s hot definitely vondel park
*The square at Leidseplein at night
*Eating everything, immerse yourself in the culture.
*Catch a tram
*Eat at Bazaar -
Hey guys,
a Dutchie here. If you really want to immerse yourself into the local scene, don’t just stop and have drink on Leidseplein or Dam Square etc. These are the popular tourist spots with Aussie and Irish pubs etc. Instead, try the areas that are called “Jordaan” and “De Pijp”. These are popular neigbourhoods with locals and you can find heaps of bars, clubs and restaurants there that are nicer than the obvious tourist hangouts. Jordaan is where Anne Frank house is at and De Pijp starts near the Heineken Experience.
And oh, do it all by bike and you can get from Jordaan to de Pijp in 10 minutes.
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As a “cloggy at heart” kinda girl, my recommendation is that if you have time to spare during a trip to Amsterdam, take a 30-minute train ride to either Harlem (New York’s Harlem was named after this town) or to Markem. Harlem is a little quaint town with a couple of old museums. I also recall having the best apple pie in this town! As for Markem, it’s an experience in itself. This little town is by the water and is recognizalbe for its old wooden houses and people still wearing traditional dutch costumes.
I’d like to add that the street vendors that make the crepes with Nutella are delicious. You must try those. And make sure and order a Cafe Au Lait. I’d also add Musee d’Orsay and the Rodin to the list of must-see Paris museums.