This weekend we’re heading to the Netherland’s capital, Amsterdam. Known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses, the city is rich with history ranging from Rembrandt and Van Gogh to modern art found at the Stedelijk. When learning to riding a bike comes almost before learning to walk, it is no wonder that the city is filled with 400km of cycling paths. We’ll be staying at the Conservatorium Hotel, located in Museumplein, an architectural masterpiece that combines a landmark building with graceful, contemporary design.
Since Amsterdam’s weather can range from cold and rainy to warm and sunny, even in August, it’s important to pack yourself enough options. Bringing basics like jeans, sweaters, shorts and tops, leave you with the ability to mix and match depending on the weather.
We’re excited to start exploring all that Amsterdam has to offer. Pre-purchasing tickets to the Anne Frank House is a must. With limited time in this city, we want to make sure we can save all the time we can! Located just steps outside of the hotel, the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh are the first two stops of the day. This Harvey Nichols and Givenchy shoulder bag are perfect for strolling through the museums. For lunch, it’s off to one of Katy’s favorite spots, Brasserie de Joffers to have a portion of Bitterballen and to watch the locals pass by. Shoe shopping on Cornelis Schuytstraat, the road on which the Brasserie is located, is wonderful! Our favorites are Manwood and Shoebaloo!
The next day, it’s bike riding in the Vondelpark. We suggest stopping at a local Albert Heijn (supermarket) and picking up some gouda and bread to enjoy in the park. This Alexander Wang rib kit pullover outfit won’t be too heavy while you’re riding a bike, but it will keep you warm if the wind picks up! This Celine cross body bag is perfect to keep your hands free to hold onto your handlebars. Maybe by the end of this trip, you’ll be as good as the locals and ride hands free!
This evening we’re trying the local hot spot, The Harbour Club. A unique location in Amsterdam with international allure and vibrant atmosphere with extraordinarily great food. A blend of Miami, Barcelona and the Cote d’Azure turned this old wine terminal into something fashionably chic. We paired these black scalloped shorts with a chunky Jo No Fui sweater to keep warm while the sitting on the deck sipping cocktails. We recommend ending the night at the trendy Jimmy Woo night club, located in Leidseplein.
One of the best parts of the Netherlands is that since the country is so small, it’s very easy to hop on the train and get to a new city in under an hour. Today we’re going to do just that, and take a trip to Den Haag. While Amsterdam is the Capital of the Netherlands, The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government and parliament, the Supreme Court, and the Council of Stage. The Hague is also home to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. The city boasts a mix of modern and historic buildings that brings a different kind of character to the area. It even has a beach! While we won’t be hitting the beach, we will be strolling around the city and letting ourselves get lost in all that it has to offer. From cafés and shopping, to museums of art and of history, there’s plenty to do and see in this great city. Before heading back, we’ll dine at another one of Katy’s favorites, a seafood restaurant called “Bistro-Mer”, which features some of the freshest seafood you can get. The white zipper blazer we paired with the Cameo New Love pink top easily transforms this outfit from day to night. A little more formal with the jacket and a little more flirty without!
Our last day in Amsterdam is dedicated to cruising down the canals. With many different companies to choose from for boat rentals, we’ve decided to go with MokumBoat. The electric boat offers the change to explore the canals on your own. You can bring your own picnic and drinks and sail with friends, family or new acquaintances. The boats are easy to drive with no license required. We’ll be cruising down the famous Prinsengracht, while experiencing the city from the water. We love pairing these comfortable Toga Pulla booties with white jeans and this amber&VANILLA merino wool cape for a casual, yet trendy, look. You never know how chilly it will get on the water, so we’ve brought along this wool and silk, Burberry scarf.
Contact:
For Conservatorium Hotel availability and pricing, please contact Julie Anne Juba at julienne@jetsetgetaways.com.
Clothing and similar styles as seen above can be found at Boutique 811, located in Franklin Lakes, NJ. To set up a personal shopping appointment, or for more details call Marilyn at (201) 485-8650 or reach her by email at infatuation.btq@aol.com
