My maiden trip to Amsterdam (en route to Africa) came from curiosity and intrigue.  It’s built below sea level just like New Orleans but built to accommodate the water and people creatively and with total inclusion.  Then there are the bicycles, thousands and thousands of them!  Folks here are in shape because they ride bikes everywhere!  Maybe this isn’t what comes to mind when you first think of this city, but it made me want to see how they live.  Homes on the water and around the canals without problems or fear of flooding.

I did discover the red light district and coffee shops along the way, but this city is so much more than that.  Its casual, modern, free-spirited, romantic, has great food and a museum for nearly everything.  We spent an early morning at the Vincent Van Gogh Museum, simply breath taking.  Our three-day stay made me want to go back!  The Hendricks Hotel (www.thehendrickshotel.com) a boutique hotel was friendly, classy and elegant.  The rooms are comfortable and the breakfast in the morning is included.  We dined at a wonderful Asian restaurant called Geisha (restaurantgeisha.nl).  The food was expertly prepared, delightfully presented and the service exceeded our expectations.  The Black Bass melted in my mouth and the Korean BBQ had just the perfect touch of spices.

Our final day we took a canal cruise with the street car/canal cruise ticket we purchased.  It was a rainy day, that happens there, but still worth the tour.  Just bring along a jacket with a hoodie and you’ll be fine.  We certainly enjoyed the  food, museums and all of the views while in Amsterdam, hope you do too.