Amsterdam Day 5

We had an early rise to get quickly out the door for our Anne Frank Museum tour today. It started as a rainy day, and showers continued off and on for a lot of the day, but we found we were mainly able to get around still and enjoy walking. We also walked through Vondelpark; it was wet but warm and gorgeous.

Areas visited

Jordaan, Vondelpark

Coffee

• Morning Coffee: We stopped by Pluk Amsterdam for a coffee and also snagged a cinnamon bun. They had some small seating with protection from the drizzle, a perfectly cozy coffee and snack.

• Afternoon Coffee: While my husband shopped for a new bag at “Property Of…” we were offered a drink, and I had a delicious cappuccino.

Food & Drink

• Pluk Amsterdam. As mentioned above, we stopped by this café for a coffee and spotted some delicious-looking cinnamon rolls. It was covered in a not too sweet cream cheese icing, and a cinnamon-y crumble on top.

• Simon Meijsen. Walking back to our Air BnB from Vondelpark, we stopped by a bakery to grab some lunch. I picked up a ham and cheese croissant and heated it at the apartment. It was divine.

• Burger Bar. This is a chain in Amsterdam, which I usually try to avoid when travelling, opting for more niche options, but it was quite delicious. I had the “Blue Irish,” a beef burger with blue cheese, caramelized onions and arugula. The side of French fries was perfect!

• Venster. Went out for an evening beer in the neighbourhood. We sat on a cozy, heated patio. It was a busier night since there was an (apparently) important soccer game on. 

Highlights

• Anne Frank Museum. I am so happy that I chose to re-read “The Diary of a Young Girl” before this trip. It helped bring to life this experience. Seeing The Secret Annex, the space that Anne and seven others lived in for two years, was the opportunity of a lifetime. Learning that Anne’s Dad peeled the entire wallpaper from her room to preserve her posters and pictures was a detail that specifically touched me. A young girl’s room reflects her personality, so to see what she was able to create in the circumstances was fascinating.

• Brouweij’t IJ Amsterdam. We love breweries! This brewery is right next to Amsterdam’s biggest windmill. It was charming, and I really enjoyed my beer. I had the Session IPA, and my husband had the Zante Tripel.

Photo 1: Pluk cinnamon roll

Photo 2: Vondelpark

Photo 3: Brouweij’t IJ Amsterdam

Photo 4: Beautiful buildings in the evening