Amsterdam Experiences my Secret tips
DISCOVER AMSTERDAM BY BOAT WITH LEONORA AND MARLIES
Please don’t book one of those big canal boats with 20 strangers when you are in Amsterdam.
I have something much nicer for you.
Jordaan Experience combines a private boat tour through the canals with a walking route through the Jordaan that you do on your own afterwards. I love this idea, because after they have shown you Amsterdam from the water, you simply take your time and discover the little streets, shops, cafés and hidden places of the Jordaan by yourself.
The boat is run by two Amsterdam girls who simply love their city. They show you their Amsterdam — not just the places everybody already knows.
And if you want to do something really special, book their Secret Lunch or Secret Dinner.
I did the Secret Lunch myself and absolutely loved it. You leave Amsterdam by boat, but where you are going and where you will have lunch is all part of the surprise.
I’m not telling you more either… that would ruin it.
Just trust me on this one.
Love,
Nora
Www.Jordaanexperience.com
Jordaan experience Amsterdam
Jordaan experience boat trip
DUTCH DINNER AT SONNEVELD
MUST DO — DINNER AT SONNEVELD
For a real taste of Amsterdam, have dinner at Café Sonneveld, right in the heart of the Jordaan.
This is not a fancy tourist restaurant — it’s a proper Amsterdam brown café where you come for traditional Dutch food, a relaxed atmosphere and a little bit of local gezelligheid.
But Friday and Saturday evenings are the most fun. In between dinner, the Dutch music starts, everyone joins in and before you know it, it’s handjes in de lucht/hands in the air…
More Dutch you cannot get.
Go for dinner, stay for the music and experience a little piece of real Jordaan life.
Café Sonneveld
Egelantiersgracht 72–74, Amsterdam
Tel. +31 20 423 4287
www.cafesonneveld.nl – reserve your table
CICLE TOUR OF THE BEATEN PATH
DISCOVER AMSTERDAM WITH PIM & HERMAN BY BIKE
If you want to see Amsterdam by bike, go with Pim.
He is such an energetic, funny guy and he talks about Amsterdam with so much passion that you can’t help but love the city a little more afterwards.
And then there is Herman, his little toy poodle, who comes along for the ride and honestly makes the whole experience even better.
What I especially love about Pim’s tour is that he takes you off the beaten path. Not just through the busy tourist centre, but into the neighbourhoods, quiet streets and unexpected places where you get a feeling for how we actually live in Amsterdam.
You cycle, you stop, you listen to his stories and before you know it you have seen a completely different side of my city.
I think Amsterdam is a city you should experience on a bike at least once.
And if you do it, do it with Pim & Herman.
Love,
Nora
NOORDERMARKT/LINDENGRACHT MARKET
SPEND A DAY AT THE NOORDERMARKT
If you are staying in the Jordaan, there is one thing I really love doing myself: go to the Noordermarkt, find a terrace and just watch Amsterdam go by.
On Saturday, the market is there all day. The square fills with wonderful food, fresh bread, cheeses, vegetables, flowers and all sorts of delicious things. Wander around, taste something, buy something for later and don’t be in a hurry.
On Monday morning, come back again. Monday is vintage morning, with old clothes, furniture, little treasures and all sorts of things you didn’t know you needed until you see them. But don’t sleep in — Monday is only in the morning.
And then do what I love most.
Find yourself a table on one of the terraces, order a coffee and a big slice of Dutch apple pie and just watch the people.
Try Winkel 43 for their famous apple pie, walk a little further to the beautiful old Café Papeneiland, or take a seat at Café Hegeraad. I especially love Hegeraad on a warm day — sitting outside under the trees in the shade, watching the Jordaan slowly pass by.
The Jordaan has always attracted artists, creatives, locals and some wonderfully colourful characters. Sit there long enough and I promise you, a few of Amsterdam’s beautiful paradijsvogels will pass by.
No museum. No tour. No planning.
Just sit, watch and feel Amsterdam.
Love,
Nora