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We booked our trip to Amsterdam back in June and honestly it felt like it would never get here but it finally did! We got a solid deal ($585 RT pp) on our tickets using Google Flights like I outlined previously here. Our dates were set, but our destination was open so we just waited to see what interesting destinations showed up cheaply and Amsterdam was it! While we had a bit longer, if you are short on time, check out this post on how to spend 2 days in Amsterdam.

As far as planning goes, once again we used our favorite trusty companion – Rick Steves to help organize the trip and tour us around. I would recommend using his books for any trip to Europe.

If you’re going to Amsterdam, it’s especially important to book your tickets to the Anne Frank House 2 months in advance to avoid waiting in line for hours. This was one of the tips suggested by Rick Steves and it was very helpful.

After booking our flights, we decided to take one trip outside of Amsterdam and go to Belgium. Austin picked the destination – Bruges, Belgium and I was not involved in this part of the trip planning at all. We rented a car and drove there, stayed the night and then came back to Amsterdam via Antwerp.

In Bruges, we stayed at the most adorable boutique hotel – Hotel Van Cleef.

The town of Bruges was quaint and walkable. You were able to get from one side of the town to the other in about 30 minutes.

Bruges was amazing – although it felt like we were some of the youngest tourists there. We then continued on to Antwerp. #Funfact: Antwerp is the diamond capital of the world. There is also a lot of traffic – just be forewarned!

From there we headed to Amsterdam and stayed in an Airbnb. If you haven’t ever stayed in an Airbnb before, it’s definitely something you should consider if you want more of a local feel. If you use this link, you will get $40 off your first stay. In Amsterdam, we ended up with a large studio apartment in a very central location for cheaper than we would have paid for a hotel.

The first spot we checked out was a local brown café that is reminiscent of the days when you could smoke tobacco inside, despite that currently being illegal. These are cozy places – perfect for a drink.

You’re going to get tired of seeing all of the canals but I thought they were wonderful, so here they are, pictured about 1,000,000 times.

We also did some touring of the infamous Red Light District. Think like a walk-able Vegas Strip…

This was a fabulous trip. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here in Europe. Can’t wait to go back!

After this trip, some of my favorite Belgium travel tips are:

• Typically You’ll Have to Pay for Water, but You Won’t Need to Tip – In Belgium, you’ll enjoy high standards when it comes to public health. Therefore, most tap water is safe to drink. However, if you order tap water in a restaurant, you might encounter a few raised eyebrows. That’s because it is much more common to purchase a bottle of water than to request tap water. Alternatively, eateries are happy to provide complimentary bread, and tipping is not required. Funnily enough, you may find it more affordable to buy a beer than tap water.

• Cash Payments are Rounded to the Nearest €0.05 – While €0.01 and €0.02 coins are still legal in Belgium, many establishments don’t actually use them. Therefore, you’ll find that most merchants round all cash transactions either up or down to the nearest €0.05.

• Always Have Coins Handy for the Bathroom – Like most countries in Europe, many people prefer to use cards as opposed to cash in Belgium. Despite this, it’s always a good idea to have some spare change handy since you’ll likely need to pay to use older toilets. This is important since some service stations along the highway and larger restaurants charge for restroom access.

• Skip the French Fries and Eat Frites Instead – Have you ever dipped your fries in Mayonaise? If not then you need to try it In Belgium. After all, Belgian fries and mayo are the perfect pair. Just remember that Belgium is the birthplace of friets/frites and not French fries. So, be sure to order frites and skip the fries. You can easily order these triple-fried treats from a local frituur or fry shop. And if you’re feeling extra adventurous, try eating your frites with some spicy Andalouse sauce.

• ATMs Can Be Difficult to Find – As the use of cash declines and security concerns increase, ATMs are becoming harder to find. However, Bancontact has got you covered. They have easy-to-use, accessible “bank-neutral” cash machines where you can withdraw cash in most Belgian cities. So, no need to search for a local bank branch anymore.

Currently reading: Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer

Currently listening to: Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall in Love with the Process of Becoming Great by Joshua Medcalf

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