Wow! This was our first trip to Amsterdam and we fell in love with the city, and a big part of the reason was the gorgeous design and location of Mariam and Norbert's home. Even though we are all only guests when we travel using Airbnb, there is still something to be said for being proud of the place you are staying in. Miriam and Nobert's home is absolutely stunning both inside and out and invites excessive Instagram-bragging (I recommend shooting a photo at dusk from across the canal to capture the big luminous windows and street presence).
The neighbourhood is very central and convenient, but without being noisy or heavily trafficked. The "coffee" shops are far enough away that you don't need to suffer through smoke and noise and can retreat to this canal-side oasis. There are fantastic restaurants and cafes within a block or two and there is a great playground for kids right across the canal.
Just when we thought our visit to Amsterdam could not get any better, Norbert let me know they had a brand new canal boat we could hire to tour ourselves around the city. We jumped at the chance and it was an absolute highlight. The boat was parked right in front, easy to handle, and silent given it is electric and recharged using clean wind energy. Norbert gave us tips on where to visit including a canal that took us right past the zoo! The kids eyes lit up as we paused to watch the giraffes from the boat before we resumed our cruise through the stunning heritage of Amsterdam. If you want to see Amsterdam from the water (and who wouldn't want to!) I highly recommend you inquire as to the availability of the boat.
We are already planning another trip to Amsterdam and will absolutely be booking Miriam and Norbert's place again when we return.