I recently came back from a business trip to Amsterdam. Since I was all alone, and had a whole Sunday to enjoy a sunny day in the city, it was really more like a vacation. I filled my free time with long runs, eating ice cream, and people-watching; the work days were long but enjoyable too.We stayed at the phenomenal Hotel Okura. We had a corporate rate of 205 euros / night excluding breakfast - and the location was in the heart of de Pijp. By way of comparison, I'd booked a single night in a different hotel for 160/ night, also excluding breakfast, on the east side of the city. The difference (for 45 euros!) was truly night and day. The Okura felt luxurious (and it was air conditioned! The other hotel was not), the staff was wonderful, and it was very easy to walk around from the hotel.
Sunday afternoon, I wandered towards Albert Cuypmarkt (closed Sundays) in search of food. I stopped by Mana Mana for an early dinner and the wild mushrooms with garlic was deliciously fresh. Topped off by an ice cream at Matcha Bar and a wander around the mostly-empty streets, I was ready to spend the evening chilling at the hotel gym & sauna.
Although work filled up the weekdays, we managed to participate in a few local activities, including:
- Pouring our own beer, people-watching, and eating some really great food at Bierfabriek;
- Getting up early to run around the Vondelpark;
- Touring the city from below in a long, relaxing canal tour;
- Spent a half-day volunteering at Stadsboerderij Osdorp weeding in the garden;
- Grabbing a tasty pizza at Bardot and scouring for tourist junk at the Albert Cuypmarkt.
What a lovely trip, with the sun shining every day we were there, I can't wait to be back!
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