City Break: 2 nights in Amsterdam
Where we stayed, what we ate and what I wouldn't do again.
Since becoming parents nearly 8 years ago we have escaped on a grand total of 2 solo city breaks together. And let me tell you - they were beyond rejuvenating and unnecessarily stressful in equal measure.
Getting away is not easy so I make things extra simple, extra accessible with minimal assault to my nervous system.
I want to sleep.
I want to eat good food several times a day.
I want to walk everywhere without ushering tiny legs to move quicker.
I want to people watch in gentle silence.
I want to punctuate all of the above with brief spells of culture to make myself feel like I actually engaged in the city we are in. But note my use of the word “brief”.
And so after some intense logistics while off loading our 2 small children and one giant dog we legged it to Amsterdam in September for 2 nights for a belated 40th / wedding anniversary escape.
It required:
A teenaged neighbour to arrive at 8am
My husbands niece to arrive and take over at 10am and stay over
My daughters friends recruited to take her to GAA
My parents to pick up her up and do the 2nd night
And as it happened - our return flight was delayed so they then also had to pick my eldest up and bring her to a gymnastics class which was in fact cancelled.
So when people casually suggest that you should get away more often, please remember that to do so is a real shit storm and in many ways felt more stressful than exciting - compounded by my guilt for imposing my children on so many different neighbours, friends and family to help, for what was such a short time away. But it was in many ways necessary and should be mandatory.
Planning tips:
The destination is less important than the flight duration + departure times
Book a destination no more than 2 hours away and maximise time in destination
Book flights that compliment your life, eg straight after creche drop off
We booked a flight to return in time for school pick up - it was delayed, have a back up plan.
If going for 2 nights, have one dinner booked and in the schedule and leave one night to wander and graze as you move
Pack light, hand luggage only - I used this Ryanair Luggage approved bag and packed everything I needed in it.
Book a hotel where you can walk to everything
Travel to a destination with good transport links from city to airport
With all this in mind - Amsterdam was the perfect fit. It ticked the above boxes. We’d both been many many times and I did feel relieved that we both knew it so well so weren’t piling the pressure on to see/do everything but also I felt cheated as there are so many places I haven’t been to yet.
But the departure times were perfect for the 48 hours & dictated our path.
Hotel:
My brother used to live in Amsterdam so I’ve visited and slept on his couch many times but I have also visited and stayed at the 5 star Amrath twice before this trip. While impressive it’s not what I expected from a 5 star and this rings true for most hotels in Amsterdam. It’s an old efficient city, it’s charm is in it’s narrow architecture and it’s hotels within the canals reflect this.
Accommodation is expensive, in demand and built for a city break where you only rest your head. If you are looking for a bells and whistles experience you’ll fair better further out but for us we wanted to be right in the middle of this truly captivating city.
We booked the Hotel Die Port Van Cleve a beautiful historic hotel right behind the Nieuwe Kirk on Dam Square as its within walking distance of everywhere, but its