If you didn’t know already, it’s Christmas next week (where have you been hiding…).
I love winter and the build up to Christmas is my favourite time of year. I know a lot of people dream of warmer climates when the dark nights set in, but I for one love the chilly mornings and everything else that goes with it.
Whilst some people are wishing they were sunbathing somewhere in the tropics, I wish I was back in Amsterdam where I enjoyed a lovely Christmassy break a couple of years ago. It provided the perfect winter bolthole for a few days and there was so much festive stuff to do.
Like ice-skating.
Who doesn’t like ice skating? Particularly on an outdoor rink surrounding by twinkling lights. I’m one of those confident people who march (if you can do that in skates) onto the rink and assume I’m going to be amazing before taking down numerous kiddies when I turn out to be like Bambi on a frozen lake. Still, it’s pretty fun. In fact, here’s a photo of me having a whale of a time on the ice-rink by the Rijksmuseum.
Look how happy I am. That kid in the background has probably just got up from when I took her out earlier.
But it doesn’t stop there.
By day, we wandered through the streets that were bathed in the warm glow of the winter sun, stopping every now again again to warm up with a coffee (an actual coffee), before getting some tasty grub and doing some more walking after the sun had set.
(Okay, that’s tea, you’ve caught me out. I’m British, what did you expect?)
I have been to Amsterdam three times now, and the other two times I visited were in summer. It was warm, and I felt bad if I didn’t spend all my time out doors.
This is the great thing about winter – you don’t mind spending hours inside the Van Gogh Museum or Rembrandt’s House and spending even longer browsing around the gift shops. You don’t even mind queuing for ages to get into Anne Frank’s House because you know it will offer some warmth (and, of course, a truly moving experience).
When you do emerge outside, the air is fresh and everything seems so much crisper and in focus than in summer. If I could marry winter, I would.
Anyway.
We managed to find loads of quirky things to do that were inside, like the House Boat Museum that humbly rocked to and fro on one of the canals, and cute little shops tucked away down hidden streets that we stumbled on after hours of walking to stave off the cold.
But the best thing about Amsterdam in the winter are the lights. There are so many lights decking out the streets, the squares, the canals, and everything in between. If Amsterdam can’t make you feel festive then bah-humbug to you!
Where is your favourite winter bolthole? Let me know in the comments below – I want to hear from YOU! Yes, you.
NB: Photos by my sister.
About the author: Lizzie is a full time marketing assistant and part-time travel blogger promoting the ways to get the most out of grab-it-when-you-can travel. She spends her time creatively thinking of ways to plan trips around her job and advocating the idea that you don’t have to be ‘homeless’ to enjoy the perks of frequent travel. Aside from this, Lizzie likes questioning why people travel and the psychology behind it, watching crap American TV programmes, and drinking too much tea (cider). You can find out more about Lizzie here (go on – I know you want to see what’s behind the melon…)
This is getting me so excited for going Amsterdam! I’m going mid January so hopefully it will still have the christmassy feel!
I aswell, would marry winter if I could. What’s better than big snuggly jumpers, and cups of tea by a crackling fire, ey?
Eee I’m so jealous that you’re going! You will have a great time – I’m sure there’ll still be that wintery feeling
Oh god, snuggly jumpers, cups of tea, and fires are my favourite christmassy things!
I just want to say how much I enjoy your blogs. Netherlands is one of those places that is beautiful to visit any season of the year. Each season has its unique attractions in Holland. My family and I stayed one night in Amsterdam on Christmas night. Surprisingly hotels are quite reasonably priced. Many shops were opened for business; managed to get a large load of refrigerator magnets and the usual souvenirs at bargain prices. Loved watching birds waddling on the frozen canals, and I even got to see people riding custom-made bicycles (ones that were built for two, and one mother cycling with her toddler saddled in a custom-made chair). And, people are friendly, and just as important, they speak English. Anyway, I really love your blogs. Have a chilly, white Christmas Lizzie.
Thanks Abdul, that means a lot! Amsterdam is great isn’t it.. somehow the canals and laidback atmosphere make it the perfect place for a relaxing winter break. I’m glad you had a great time with your family
Have a great Christmas too!
There’s no other more exciting and entertaining as ice skating, and yes I do agree with you, it’s more fun skating outside. With all the colorful lights and additional lights in the sky, love the Christmas feeling. Happy holiday!
I find ice skating such a Christmassy activity.. and outside definitely makes it more festive! Thank you – Have a great Christmas a New Year Rachel
Prague is my favourite! I’ve never seen Prague in summer so I automatically associate it with winter
Prague is great! I went in summer, but I can imagine it being the perfect winter destination too
I was in Amsterdam just before Xmas too, and agree it is really festive without the need for too many tacky Xmas markets. I missed the ice rink you went to, but there was a cute little one for kids on Leidseplein.
And to answer your question, I love the cotswolds and the Malvern hills in winter!
Ah Amsterdam at Christmas is so lovely! I’ve always wanted to spend Christmas in the English countryside. I’m from Brighton so spend it in the city every year but my mum often tells me of the family Christmases she had in Yorkshire when she was younger and they sound like a fairytale!
Really, Amsterdam is perfect anytime, isn’t it?
Yes! I have been in summer, Autumn, and Winter and it’s great everytime
Consider looking at cheap flights to Amsterdam this January and February. With the current temperature drop, I can see the canal in front of my house starting to freeze. You *have to* see Amsterdam with frozen canals and all the Dutchies skating away in the bitter, bitter cold.
PS: I found you via Yomadic and fully support your quest to keep a stable job and the spirit of travel at the same time.
That is far too tempting! I have seen pictures of the canals frozen over but would LOVE to see them firsthand! It must be so magical
PS: Thanks for the support! I love the concept behind your blog
Will blog about it as soon as it happens.