Amsterdam & Brugge

Let's see, where to begin...

This weekend was jam-packed with adventure! Believe it or not, I was in four different countries in a matter of only 3 days. When I signed up Sam and I to go to Amsterdam, I knew we would be taking a coach bus, but I had no idea what our route would be. 

We started by driving to the port of Dover. Sam and I were amazed by how cute the city was and the gigantic white cliffs that Dover is so famously known for. Apparently, the people who live in Dover do not agree with us though, because it ranks number three in the top most boring cities in the UK. But, compared to rural Illinois, I don't think this place looked very boring at all!

At the port, our coach was led onto a gigantic ferry. When we got off the bus and walked up the stairs I was amazed by how nice the ship was. They had food courts, coffee shops, lounges, arcades and even duty free shops :). The 90-minute cruise to France was a mini vacation in itself! 

Katie, Colleen, Sam and Maddy eating breakfast on the Ferry

The group on the deck 

The port of Calais (coast of Northern France)

From Calais we headed on a 3 hour bus ride through France and Belgium to get to our final destination of Amsterdam. All in all it was a long day of travel, but it was fun, relaxing, and hassle free! When we arrived in Amsterdam we took a brief walking tour around the Red Light District (where all the prostitutes are) and then headed to the hotel. Having been my first time in a hostel, I was thoroughly impressed. Lucky for us, Sam and I got our own room and Maddy, Colleen, and Katie were just across the hall.

The city of Amsterdam was beautiful. It was exactly how I pictured it, but with a lot more bikes. Literally EVERYONE rides bikes there. The streets even have a lane designated to bikers. Unfortunately for us, we arrived on one of the coldest weeks they have ever had! Our Canal tour got cancelled because the water was frozen. Apparently, the canals haven't froze since 1997, so this was a pretty big deal. 

Rather than giving you every detail of my trip, here are some pictures I accumulated:

Houses on the canal

In the city's main square

The same church bells Anne Frank would hear every morning

Learning how wooden shoes are made– a Holland tradition!

Sam and I outside the shoe shop

Holland windmills

Entrance to Anne Frank's secret Annex. My favorite part of Amsterdam! 

Infront of the Windmills

Lovin' Dutch-land!

People ice skating on the frozen canal

The girls and I had a blast going out on pub crawls and soaking up the night life culture Amsterdam has to offer. It was such a fun city with so much to do and I couldn't have had better time. On our way back our tour stopped in Brugge, Belgium:

I could go on and on about Brugge and the rest of the trip, but I know this post has gone on way too long.

Missing all of you at home!

<3 Katie