We arrived Friday evening and Marion our host, kindly picked us up from P&R tram stop. This is only ten minutes on a tram from Central station. The trams run every few minutes to and from AC.
Marion took us to a small but well stock supermarket where got got some essentials for our trip bread milk beer etc. When we arrived at our accommodation the sun was just setting, the view over Amsterdam centre from Marion’s garden is not one we will forget! Gorgeous.
Marion had prepared a lot of information for me on places to visit based on my likes and dislikes. This was really helpful. On our first night we took the tram to central where we walked into the redlight district and some other iconic parts. We did not return home by tram but by Über I’m sure was around €16-18. We decided it was best to get a taxi home as we arrived in the dark and we didn’t know our way around yet.
Saturday we spend all day on the bikes Marion kindly provided us with. We visited an amazing food market just 5 minutes from the house where we bought freshly baked bread, local cheese and homemade chutney. We cycled around an hour padding thought beautiful waterside villages. We found a beautiful charming quaint village called Ransdorp where we sat by a canal in the sunshine, ate our picnic and ordered a beer in the wee pub. It was heaven! Very memorable day.
If we had been staying nearer the centre of Amsterdam we would not have had the opportunity to explore the countryside or sample local fresh food like we did at the market. It was very special seeing the real Holland. Amsterdam centre is amazing with lots to see and do but there is so much more to Amsterdam than the main tourist attractions. Staying at Marion’s you have the best of both worlds; Amsterdam city Center only 10 minutes by tram or stunning Dutch countryside 15 minutes by bike! Perfect location with a home from home feel. We can not wait to return here. Few plus points about Marion’s ... a power shower, comfy large bed, tv with access to music/filgreat facilities for preparing small meal/picnic, a huge garden with gorgeous views, a trampoline for sunbathing on :) cheap local beer, local friendly advise and of course the use of bicycles:)