Headbands & Bagels: #Eurotrip - Holland Tips & Tricks

A little slice of Amsterdam.

Today I want to share some tips and tricks I have learned for travel to Holland. This was my first trip to the Netherlands, but I feel like I definitely picked up some important tips for next time around. So without further ado, my Top Tips for Holland.

1. The days are long, pace yourself.
The sun is out longer than most places in the states, so you find yourself up early and late to bed every night. Pace yourself and take a break during the day for some water or maybe beer or too. Also you will walk a lot in Amsterdam. Prep yourself with comfortable shoes to walk the day away.

2. Book your Anne Frank House tickets a few weeks in advance.
This place is always busy from the moment it opens at nine to the moment it closes 13 hours later at 10. Take my advice and book your time slot a few weeks before arriving. Otherwise you will wait at minimum an hour to get inside. It's worth it but you could save yourself some valuable sightseeing time.

The family during our bike ride. Dan, Mom, Dom, Dad and I.

3. Avoid driving in Amsterdam if at all possible.
Bikes seem to have the right of way over both cars and pedestrians, resulting in pedestrians often bolting out into the street when their is a clearance of bike traffic as well as bikes zooming to the left and right of your car. Crossing intersections is especially harrowing as no one but cars stops for posted signs.

4. Travel like the locals.
When in Holland, do as the Dutch do, rent a bike! Travel the country as it was built to, on a bike. There are exclusive bike paths all over the place, often with the best views. And since the country is so flat, there is almost no strain on the legs, even for a gimp like me. They only time I took pause about renting a bike was in Amsterdam. With the cars and pedestrians in addition to the bikes, it made me nervous!

At the windmill along our bike route.

5. Talk a walk through the Red Light District.

The Red Light District is unique in the world in that prostitution is legalized to the point that many of the girls are also unionized. It's only a few blocks long, but its something that is truly unique to only Amsterdam. Beware that you do not take photos of any of the girls, it is considered very poor form and many locations have protectors looking out for the girls. Giggling is still OK though.

6. Get a chip credit card.

Like most of Europe, Holland operates via the chip card system. Most US credit card systems are slowly implementing the system finally. Call your bank to see if one is available and have them make the swap out. It's a lifesaver at gas stations late at night when there is no attendant on duty.

Dom and I sightseeing in Amsterdam.

7. Visit a brown bar or two or three.

The Brown Bar experience was probably my favorite in Amsterdam. The fact that they each had so much history and often were family owned for generation upon generation. Drinking beer is just a huge part of the culture and that along with a shot of genever sends anyone well on their way to a good buzz. Enjoy a delicious beer on tap and ask questions of your proprietor. They are the best fountain of knowledge around.

8. Prepare for rain.

There is always a good chance at a shower or two so prepare yourself, pack an umbrella and a rain coat. Most good rain coats roll up into almost nothing and take up next to zero space in your suitcase. I usually choose to go the route of rain coat since it takes up less space than the umbrella.

At an amazing brown bar prior to the football match.

9. Explore the markets.
The markets across the Netherlands were vibrant, beautiful and always busy. We were able to visit the weekly market in Maastricht as well as the flower market in Amsterdam. The flower market was bustling even in the middle of the day and sold everything from bulbs to bouquets.

10. Befriend the locals.
Hands down the best night we had in Amsterdam was partying with all the locals after the Netherlands defeated Costa Rica in the World Cup. Since the Dutch speak English, its so easy to socialize with them. So pull up a stool, raise a pint and start up a conversation.