A glimpse of Amsterdam on one chilly yet sunny winter day
December 24, 2011 7 Comments
Two years ago when my sister came over for a 2-week visit, the two of us went to Amsterdam for a day of sightseeing. Amsterdam is a must-see place for anyone visiting Holland not because of the soft drugs or the Red Light District as what the city seems to be known for but the city with its many well-preserved buildings is very much like a living museum itself.
There are nice nooks and corners to discover such as museums which are home to priceless collections like Van Gogh and the Rijksmuseum or the home of Anne Frank. And if the weather is nice, sitting outside the terrace of a cafe watching the world go by is just fun to do.
We skipped visiting museums this time because we already did that together when she came over for a visit a few years earlier. Instead, we just wandered around the city and simply enjoyed playing tourists for a day. My rule is that when the weather is nice, skip the museums.
While we were at the very center of the shopping area, we discovered one narrow passageway that led us to a charming garden surrounded by old houses. This place is known as the “Begijnhof”. The houses in the courtyard were once occupied by devout celibate Beguine nuns and are still home to single women today.
We still included the Red Light District in our must-see list for a visit to Amsterdam will not be complete without that. The place as usual was bustling with tourists amongst others.
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- An “oliebollen” stall
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- Amsterdam canal at dusk
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- one of the many canals
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- a sea gull
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- The Protestant Church inside the “Begijnhof”
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- a passageway
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- centuries-old buildings
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- Amsterdam canal
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- one of the many canals
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- Red Light District
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- downtown Amsterdam
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- one of the many canals
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- one of the canals in Amsterdam
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- waffles stall
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- Red Light District
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- inside the “Begijnhof”
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- Leidseplein
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- Red Light District
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- one of the many canals
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- the Royal Palace at the Dam
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- One of the many nice squares in the city
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- one of the many canals in Amsterdam
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- One of the many canals
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- canal houses
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- Red Light District
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- one of the many canals
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- Red Light District
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- one of the many canals in Amsterdam
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- flower shop
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- one of the many canals
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- flowers at a flower shop
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- one of the many canals
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- Canal houses
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- Red Light District
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- One of the bouquets at a flower shop
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- canal houses
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- at the Red Light District
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- Red Light District
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- one of the many canals
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- downtown Amsterdam
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- one of the many canals
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- inside the “Begijnhof”
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- Red Light District
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- centuries-old buildings
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- one of the many canals
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- one of the churches
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- a shop at the Red Light District
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- centuries-old building
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- flowers at a flower shop
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- flowers at the flower shop
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- One of the many canals
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- One of the many canals
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- one of the many canals
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- centuries-old buildings
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- One of the many squares in Amsterdam
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- a narrow passage
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- inside the “Begijnhof”
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- Strangely enough, there are several churches in the Red Light District
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- Red Light District
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- the Dutch stock market
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- One of the many canals
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- a skating rink in Leidseplein
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- Amsterdam
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- one of the many canals
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- Leideseplein
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- old fashioned organ
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- One of the many canals
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- Red Light District
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- a coffee shop in the Red Light District
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- the Dutch stock market
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- canal houses
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- an advert outside a museum
About Malou
I love Amsterdam, my best friend moved there over 10 years ago, so I get to visit most years. and one of my favourite things is to wander the streets, and enjoy the views. your photos have reminded me how lovely a city it is!
I’m glad that this post brought back happy memories of this city to you. Wandering the streets of Amsterdam is indeed a nice thing to do. If I had more time, I’d love to do that as well especially in the evening when the lights are on. Those canals are such a pleasant sight.
It’s been several years since I visited Amsterdam and Hilversum, really enjoyed it. Maybe when I go to Brno next year for the I.C.S I should plan a stopover
Won’t be till summer though so I’ll miss the spring flowers.
Holland is also beautiful in summer and there are a lot of things going on everywhere like festivals and the like. Of course, spring is the best to experience the beauty of spring flowers in bloom.
Absolutely beautiful pictures. If all goes well, I’m hoping to make it Amsterdam this summer for a quick trip!
Thanks a lot! I hope you make it to Amsterdam. I’m sure that you’ll have a great time.
Great pics! My wife and I just saw a show about the houseboats on the canals and we have been into all things Amsterdam since. She’s gonna love this. Also thanks for the follow. (I have done the same, and I don’t usually do that, but your site is well worth it.) Thanks again..