So, I recently had my lovely mother visiting me in London for 2 weeks. Among her travels here in London, I planned a 3 day trip to Amsterdam to introduce her to my Hunk and show her a city I’ve grown very fond of.
The Meet
After getting quickly through customs, mum and I were greeted at the airport by the Hunk, ready to be our chauffeur and take us to our hotel. After checking in at almost midnight on a Friday, we thought it was a good idea for the 3 of us to go out for a beer, bitterballen, and a chance for mum and Hunk to get to know each-other.
Being in De Pijp, there was plenty of choice, finding a suitable spot for chatting instead of yelling over music was our only difficulty!
We found a quiet-ish table in one of the many bars and ordered our one round of Brouwerij T’Ij. Three rounds later we were all drunk and ready for home! Good first impression of the Dam and the hunk I think!
Where we stayed
I found a nice little hotel in De Pijp called ‘Bicycle Hotel‘. As a dead giveaway from its name, they rent out bikes very cheaply to guests which is super handy in the city of bikes.
The room we we given came with those beds where you have buttons and the mattress moves into a sitting position! Very fun for myself when my mother was trying to sleep.
Highlights
Some of our visit highlights included sailing in Aalsmeer, eating raw Herring, going to the Van Gogh Museum, the House of Bols and Anne Frank’s House.
Bikes
Bicycling was definitely the best way for us to see as much of Amsterdam as possible in our 3 days. My mother hasn’t ridden a bike since she was a child, so many times during our cycling, I would be hearing her behind me “ooomph!”, “Aghhh!”, “I’m going to fall!” etc. But I must say – she was a trooper!
After day one of riding bikes, I was very tender in my downstairs region, finding it difficult to sit (or move..!) and really did not want to have another day on the bikes.
When day 2 came, I think I was permanently at pain level 7 out of 10 during the day – I don’t know how these Dutch people do it! I commend them.
Sailing
My Hunks parents own a sailboat which they take out on the lake in Aalsmeer, not too far from Amsterdam. So mum and I got to go out with Hunk and Hunk’s family for an afternoon sail!
I never pictured Dutch people owning sail-boats, I’m not sure why, considering the whole Dutch versus Water thing.
Anyway, the lake in Aalsmeer is incredibly large and hard to believe is actually there! I think this is my favourite thing to do when visiting Amsterdam now (apart from eating all of the Dutch cuisine) because you really feel like you are not in a city, and on another vacation!
Canals
There’s just something about them canals that I can’t get over. I’ve taken so many photos of the canals, and I’m sure I will take a million more.
Hollands capital has more than one hundred kilometres of canals, so you eyes are inundated constantly with a beautiful view of a beautiful canal.
I really enjoyed showing my mum the canals because I think I could be obsessed with them, so I was hoping she enjoyed looking at them as much as I do!
The Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is an exceptional museum displaying works of the crazy Dutch painter, Vincent Van Gogh.
There are four floors, all explaining different parts of his life, and ultimately his death. The most interesting fact I learned was that Van Gogh only painted for 10 years before his death at the young age of 37. The self-portraits he painted make him look much older so I was very surprised at how young he was when he died.
I very much enjoyed seeing all of the artwork he was able to produce in such a short time.
Showing mum the Red Light District
So, I wasn’t sure what my mum would think of Amsterdam after seeing the Red Light District, but it was smooth sailing! Showing your mum a mannequin with boobs and a penis isn’t exactly my dream scenario, but it’s hilarious and if you can laugh at that together, you are okay!
I made sure to show mum all of the beauty of Amsterdam before showing her this seedy side. Most foreigners think the Red Light district IS Amsterdam, but I was determined for my mum to realise it is but a small small part of an otherwise lovely city.
Anne Frank’s House
Okay guys, I’ve been to Anne Franks Huis about 5 years ago on my very first visit to Amsterdam, and it took me 20 minutes to get in, which I thought was a long wait.
Well, let me tell you, we got to the AFH at 9am on a rainy Monday, and we were greeted with a queue that went from the door and wrapped right the way around Westerkerk! It took us until after 1pm before we got inside – absolute craziness!
We would have left, if it wasn’t for the fact we had a plane to catch that evening, and my mum was determined to visit.
Once we were inside, it is only a small place, it’s a HOUSE. Therefore, you can not spend more than 45 minutes inside. You are also pushed though by the throngs of people that entered behind you.
The AFH is humbling and a unique museum, and one that if you have the chance to visit then you should, however waiting in a 4 hour line for a 45 minute experience surely isn’t a good use of your vacation time…!
House of Bols, the Cocktail and Genever Experience
First of all, the House of Bols is a lot of fun! That is, if you are up for some fun! Now, I’m assuming you are, if you go to House of Bols, as it is a museum about alcohol. Of all the activities that we did in Amsterdam on this weekend, I think this was our favourite because we got to be silly, and just fed off of each other’s enjoyment.
Bols is a Dutch genever and flavoured liqueur company that started in Amsterdam in 1575 by Lucas Bols! It is the oldest distilled spirit brand in the world.
The House of Bols itself is on Museumplein and after a short introduction to the Bols family, it becomes very much an interactive experience of the senses. My favourite portion of the experience was in the aromas room. You must smell the liqueur and then decide what flavour it is without being told. You can then uncover the flavour plate to see if you were right or wrong. My mum and I had a wild time decifering and competing in the Aromas room. 🙂
With your ticket, you are entitled to not 1 but 2 shots of any of the Bols Liqueurs or Genevers, as well as your own cocktail, designed by yourself!
This was great as we actually, with a little play, received 3 shots (for being inquisitive) and a delicious cocktail which we were able to enjoy in the Mirror Bar.
After we had consumed all of this alcohol, we found the Flair Booth where you can learn and record yourself doing bottle flair with the Bols liqueur bottles.
This was an absolute riot and I’m sure the other patrons of Mirror Bar cos hear squeals and giggling from us as we attempted to act like skilled bottle flair professionals, with little success!
We had a ball inside the House of Bols and I highly recommend it!
What are some of the places in Amsterdam you’d take your mum?
Australian expat, married to a Dutch guy, living in Amsterdam. Previously lived in London for 3 years, too! Lover of travel, coffee, brunch, beaches, fresh flowers, and family. Now a new mum, navigating life with a baby!
0 thoughts on “Mother Daughter Amsterdam Trip”
oh now you’ve made me miss my mum! 🙂 how lovely that you’ve been able to spend time with both parents recently! x