A few days after Thanksgiving my boyfriend and I found ridiculously cheap flights to Europe. $401 round trip on Delta after taxes and fees. Um, yes please! At that price they were practically giving the tickets away! The only catch… We were flying into Amsterdam. In JANUARY. That can only mean one thing. Frozen frostbite death.
I lived in Europe during the winter months several years ago and I know how cold it can get. Real cold.
So friends, I did what a girl does… I prepared like a boss!
WINTER TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
- Warm waterproof jacket – I brought a waterproof puffer. Puffy jackets are super warm but make sure it’s waterproof too because not all of them are. My jacket went down to my knees. The more of yourself you cover, the better! It was also slightly cinched around the waist so I still had my lady like shape and didn’t look like I was wearing a bag.
- Gloves – I know they’re annoying to take on and off but having warm hands makes a world of a difference. Especially in Amsterdam because there is a lot of wind. Also, now there are lots of gloves that you can still use with your phone and they actually work!
- Waterproof insulated boots – I had a pair of Sorel faux fur lined boots and I LOVED them. I bought them new before we went on this trip so they weren’t broken in, but that wasn’t a problem at all. There was no uncomfortable rubbing, they had good support, they were completely waterproof, my feet were always toasty (even in snow!) and they are so gosh darn cute!
- Hats – This was pretty much the only part of my outfit that looked like it changed daily in my photos! Try to get hats or head bands that have a band of softer material around the inside on the hat. The wool can really start to irritate your skin if it’s rubbing on it all day every day.
- Scarfs – I didn’t realize how much of a difference a scarf makes until I didn’t wear one. I brought two soft wool infinity scarfs and wearing them to make up for the small gap between my jacket and my chin was a lifesaver.
- Sunglasses – You don’t think you need them until the sun peeks through the clouds and hits the snow or the glistening water covered city and you’re squinty in all your pictures. Trust me bring the sunglasses! You wont regret it.
The above items are must-haves for me but when traveling in the winter a good rule of thumb is “the more layers the better!” In my opinion, it’s good to be over prepared because chances are you’re not going to be too hot when it’s 25 degrees out, and if that is the case, then you can shed a layer and you’re good to go!
Okay, now on to the good stuff…
Amsterdam is MADE for the winter! The people of the Netherlands are no strangers to harsh winter conditions. Therefore, there is not only a lot to do outside but also inside! Below are some of my favorite adventures during our time in this charismatic little city.
Bakery Breakfasts
At home, I’m an eggs and avocado for breakfast kind of gal, but on vacation in Europe you have to “do the thing in the place you’re suppose to do it” as author Kirstin Newman says! And that means Dutch pastries for breakfast. Follow your nose, find a cute spot, order a few things that are calling your name (including a warm cup of joe!) and enjoy. I looked forward to this every morning.
The Heineken Experience
Listen, I don’t even drink this kind of beer but this is definitely one of my favorite memories of the trip! With your ticket you enjoy a self-guided tour through the original Heineken beer factory, learn about the brand history, see the Heineken horses, play fun interactive games, receive several glasses of beer (children can come and have soda instead!), a certificate for mastering “the perfect Heineken pour” and you can even personalize a Heineken bottle with a special message. I can’t recommend this enough. We were pleasantly surprised at how much fun we had.
Waterlooplein Market
This is a huge outdoor market filled with food, clothing, art and so much more! What I really liked about this market was that it was filled with locals. It was fun to feel like we weren’t doing something super touristy. We got to try tons of cheeses made by local farmers (we brought home six wheels… needless to say we kinda liked it), had a freshly made stroopwafel (two thin waffles with warm caramel inside!) and had the best time looking at local goods. This is a great place to pick up authentic souvenirs for family and friends! We loved this market so much we visited twice.
Amsterdam Light Festival
This is an annual light art festival that happens for about seven weeks between the months of November and January. Artists from all over the world create abstract and figurative art pieces using light and put them on display in the city center. To see this sparkling spectacle you can either take the walking tour or the boat cruise. The walking tour is free and the boat cruise costs around twenty euro. We bundled up, got a hot chocolate and snuggled while listening to the audio tour on the canal cruise. It was magical admiring the beautiful lights and inspiring to see the work of 1800 artists come together. There’s not a very big window of time to get to enjoy this during the year but it’s one of those experiences that can only be had in Winter!
The IAMSTERDAM sign
This sign is so iconic. It was absolutely a must-see for me! We went to visit the sign in the afternoon one day and it was completely flooded with people. You couldn’t even see the letters it was so crowded! So the next morning we came back about 30 minutes after the sun had come up and we were two out of a hand full of people there. Getting up a little earlier was definitely worth it! We got such beautiful pictures, took a leisurely stroll around the park in the snow and then went to the Rijksmusem (which is located directly behind the sign.) Although the museum is not on my list of favorites, it is still definitely enjoyable. We went because it’s highly recommended but in my opinion there’s not a ton of variety in the museum. There is beautiful and historic art, of course, and I’m glad I can say I’ve been, but it’s not in my most memorable experiences from this trip.
The Ann Frank Museum
This is one of the most impactful experiences I’ve ever had in my life. I read the diary of Ann Frank when I was in middle school and although it was moving, it doesn’t compare to being an adult and being present in the very home the story took place. I stood in the room she slept in, imagining what her life must have been like and it humbled me as a person while making me that much more grateful for all of the fortune my life holds. It’s truly an indescribable experience and urge you to give it a go!
Walking through the streets you will find an individual shop for almost everything; leather goods, cheese, wine, shoes, kitchen supplies, baked goods, etc. It touched my heart that there is a true craftsman for each of these trades. They don’t have big department stores where you can find a little bit of everything for convenience. The men and women that work in these shops are experts in what they do. They take pride in their trade and the results are truly incredible. A slice of cheese from a cheese shop is so rich and tells a story in each nibble. The smell of a bakery fills the air with a warm and inviting aroma that travels for blocks. A side satchel in a leather shop is made with care by hand so that each stitch is it’s own, creating a bag that is like no other.
These craftsmen (and craftswomen) are true ARTISTS.
That was the lesson that Amsterdam taught me and the lesson that I want to share with you. Take pride in your craft. As a teacher, nurse, photographer, vintner, barista, writer, etc… You are educated, qualified, skilled and talented. No matter what your profession may be, YOU ARE AN ARTIST!
Amsterdam is rich in history, filled with some of the nicest people I’ve ever met and has tons of fun activities and picturesque sights. Regardless of the season, this city has so much to offer, but I think a little snow cover and a cup of hot chocolate gave our trip that extra amount of magic.
“Blessed are the curious for they will have adventures.”
Don’t let a little cold weather hold you back 😉
