Amsterdam Aug. 28-Sept.2, 2018

We arrived in Amsterdam via train and were shuttled over to the Movenpick Hotel. This hotel is a stones throw away from the Port so it was chosen for its' location. We loved everything about it. We had booked a club room on the 19th floor which overlooked the cruise ships coming and going. Our first day was spent catching the tram 26 to the Jordan area. There we were lucky to book a private canal tour with Brian. He took us up and down all of the canals as we snacked on fresh strawberries, nuts, cheese and dark chocolate. We were even lucky enough to be dropped off waterside in front of our hotel. Brian lives in a house boat closeby so it worked out for him as well. The next morning we were picked up at 8:00 AM in front of our hotel to take a short bus ride to Zans Schans where we visited a working windmill and saw how wooden shoes are made. We hopped on a boat to Marken where we learned all about cheese making and grabbed a quick bite for lunch. The next day we caught the tram to Centraal Station and walked around the area. That night we were on the Holland America complementary Signature Experience which included a two day stay at the hotel, an evening tour of the Rijks Museum , followed by a 5 course meal with accompaning wine pairing. It was right up there with our lunch at the Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower!