Tag Archives: Amsterdam

Amsterdam Day 1

After stepping off of the Eurostar train from London and into Schiphol Airport, we took our free shuttle to Corendon Village Hotel by Schiphol Airport. I know many people decide to stay in Amsterdam out of convenience but because we would also be travelling outside of the city, we stayed by the Airport which also has a train station within it.

I loved our hotel. It is a four-star hotel at the price of a three-star. We were there early April and it was around $110 CAD a night. Yes, it is outside of Amsterdam but with the amenities and services it offers, we didn’t mind at all. There are frequent complimentary shuttles to the airport and back which made getting around really easy. To get to Amsterdam Centraal, you can just take the train from Schiphol straight there. There is also a shuttle that takes you to the museum district in Amsterdam for €7,50 return trip. Just make sure you check the schedule so you don’t miss the last bus. You can find the shuttle information here.

Corendon Village Hotel had a pretty good fitness room and spa so you don’t miss out on your fitness regime whilst you are on holiday. One of the things that I struggle with is finding time to watch films that I look forward to that have just released in cinemas. As a avid film lover, I have to watch movies that I am really interested in within the first week but finding time to do that whilst I am on holiday is difficult. This hotel has a cinema downstairs and I’m not saying it plays movies that have already been released on DVD. I got to watch Shazam the day it was release in cinemas in my hotel and that was amazing.

Our room was in a different building than the lobby but it was easily accessible and no trouble at all for us. Everything in our room was clean and modern with functionality. We had a large fully-stocked kitchenette and a living area separate from the bedroom unlike many hotels in Europe where everything is usually cramped into one room. It allowed us space to stretch, relax, and lay out our luggage wherever we please.

More information about Corendon Village Hotel here.

 

Since we only had about half a day left, we decided to go to the Keukenhof, the largest flower garden in the world. We had already purchased the combination ticket which included a return bus ticket and admission into the garden. We took the free shuttle from the hotel to Schiphol Airport and then took the 858 bus to the Keukenhof. The combination ticket is €27,50 and more information about visiting Keukenhof can be found here.

The garden was massive and you can follow the winding roads to discover beautifully arranged flowers and attractions. This is the ideal place to pretend to be a princess walking around your palace gardens. There no just way to describe the elegance of the flowers so I’ve created a gallery below so you can see for yourself.

Dawn

5 Reasons to wake up early – Travel Edition

Rise and Shine

*The above footage was taken by Sage Watson in Kathmandu, Nepal, and used in the introduction of his documentary The Beginning of a Journey.

5 Reasons Why

Early mornings have always been difficult for me. Difficult might be an understatement; rather, I resist early mornings with every fibre of my being. I either sleep through my alarm or have to set my first one 45 minutes before I actually need to start my day, with 5 subsequent alarms, each boasting a different ringtone. I say this because I know how difficult it is to get out of a warm bed at the crack of dawn, so believe me when I say that it should become a top priority when you’re travelling.

1. Catching the sunrise

There’s something special about waking up at the crack of dawn and watching the sun rise over a new city. Simple mornings have become under appreciated, as the hustle and bustle of city life and daily responsibilities have taken precedence.

Colorado, USA

2. Getting a head start on the day

Personally, allowing time not only for coffee and breakfast, but also time for me to wake up boosts my productivity and alertness throughout the day. When I run out the door in a hurry, the rest of my day feels rushed, groggy, and usually fairly unproductive. This is especially important when traveling, as I find myself trying to cover a lot of ground, or trying to fit in sightseeing in a tight schedule. For my most recent trip, this meant getting a head-start on our whole adventure: we departed Vancouver, BC bright and early, and were able to make it to California by the afternoon!

California, USA

3. Skipping the lines

The early bird gets the worm! Whether it be the Louvre in Paris, or the Taj Mahal in Agra, or the Grand Canyon in Arizona, escape the crowds by setting an early alarm. In addition to faster and shorter admission lines, the fewer crowds allow for better photo opportunities, especially if you’re one to visit popular sights.

Agra, India

4. Taking in the new city

Every country, every city, every town has its own routines and customs. Wake up with the city, observe and take part in the morning rituals, people watch, ask a local for directions, and enjoy a cup of your preferred morning brew.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

5. Mid-day naps.

While this isn’t a morning activity per se, it is the result of waking up early – especially if you’re anything like me, and you aren’t a morning person Naps are definitely underrated, and necessity when navigating a busy schedule. While travelling can be busy, fast, and sometimes hectic, it’s important to pause and take in your surroundings. Listen to the sounds of a foreign park, breath in the different smells, and let yourself recharge. I would be cautious of napping in public places when traveling alone just for your own safety and the safety of your belongings; however if you’re traveling with friends, family, or a significant other, this is definitely recommended.

Alex, taking a moment to relax in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, California, USA