Travel video blog about our trip to Amsterdam in winter (January 2018)
Firstly, I have to admit that both Sanny and I were a little skeptical about planning our european trip during winter. We had been to Europe twice before, but always at the end of summer, so we did not know what to expect or how to pack for this trip (watch my summer european videos on this channel).
The reason why we booked this trip in the first place was because Sanny had to go to Amsterdam for work so I decided to join him on his trip, and since it had been a long time since our last holiday, we decided to extend his trip to travel a bit around Europe.
We were away for about 3 weeks in total, we spent one week in Amsterdam, and then the rest of our holiday started from there: I went to Bruges for a day, then we flew to Zurich and from there we took the train to the following destinations: Salzburg, Hallstatt, Vienna, Bratislava, Prague and Berlin (I will be posting all videos here, please subscribe to my channel to get a notification of new videos).
After travelling Europe during winter, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed my trip. Winter is a great time to travel to Europe, not only because it is cheaper, but also because it has fewer tourists. The unique architecture and atmosphere during the season makes it an ideal time to travel. My best tip for you to have a great time is to ensure you pack right for the season so that you can enjoy your holidays without worrying.
Packing tips: If you are like me, you have probably done a ton of research on what to pack and you are still not sure what to take…. Before my trip, I researched the weather Amsterdam and I started to get worried when I saw those pictures of the frozen canals in Amsterdam with people walking over it, I thought to myself “how cold can it be”??? but as it turns out, due to the global warming, it hardly ever snows in Amsterdam in winter these days. In February this year, the canals got frozen for a few days but that was the first time it happened since February 2012 and the ice never really got thick to be officially declared “reliable”. My point is, winter in Eastern Europe is cold but not terrible, so if you pack the right garments you will be fine. Here is my tip on what to pack for the Eastern European winter: waterproof shoes (not only for the snow but also for the very rainy days); layers (leggings, stockings, thick socks, preferably those made of a reliable material such as wool); scarves, warm gloves, a beanie, a warm jacket (preferably water proof), a lip balm and a good moisturiser to apply on your skin while you there.
If you are heading to Amsterdam, make sure to visit the Pijb, which is one of the most trendy areas of the city, with many cosy cafes, diverse restaurants and great nightlife, located just by the city’s red light district. The Amsterdam sign is also located near the area, making it easy for you to visit this landmark. My hotel was actually located in Pijb and I quite enjoyed the area, especially because it was close to most attractions.
If you are lucky to be there in January during the Amsterdam light festival, the best way to see the attractions will be by taking a canal cruise, which usually takes 1 hour and departs from many different points in the city. You can book the cruise in advance or while you are there.
For those who like museums, Amsterdam has plenty to offer: Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum. Rijksmuseum, Museum Ons’Lieve Heer Op Solder, the Resistance Museum, among others. Beer lovers might also want to take the Heineken experience, a fun tour through the brewery to discover its history.
Another place is recommend visiting is the Albert Cuypmarkt, which is the largest street market in Netherlands. Its a great place to try some local street food, and also to buy small souvenirs and gifts for the family.
Also make sure to visit the Leidseplein square, the flower market, The Vondelpark and the Dam Square, which is also were you will find the best shopping in the city.
I spent my week in Amsterdam exploring the Pijb, shopping, eating, just strolling around the city, despite the cold, I really enjoyed my time there.
This video was recorded with two cameras:
1. Go pro 4 in HD videos
2. Panasonic Lumix GX85 in 4K videos
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I hope that this travel guide and video can help you plan your trip to Europe and Amsterdam.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment and I will make sure to get back to you 🙂
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