Best Western Lancaster Hotel Amsterdam

It was very foggy and cold when we woke up. We had to catch the train from Brugge to Antwerp, then Antwerp to Amsterdam and it was our first day using the Eurail Pass. It may not have been the cheapest way for us to travel, but definitely the least stressful way.

I was visiting Chocolate World in Antwerp which is a huge store full of chocolate moulds and other supplies. Our train stopped at Antwerp Zuid which was the station nearest to there, so I got off while Greg and the girls went...

Woke up to a cloudy, then later a drizzly day. Had a slow start then went to a cafe next door for breakfast- had the best coffee we have had since we left home. After finally getting tram tickets at the post office, we made our way to Anne Frank's house. Getting there much later than we intended to, we had to line up for about 40 minutes to get in. The whole museum had changed since I was there 20 years ago with a new modern addition where you entered and exited. As the girls had read her dia...

Another cloudy and drizzly day and Katelyn not feeling well. Greg & Tara decided to go to the zoo while I stayed with Katelyn, but they were back in 15 minutes as it was a really expensive zoo and they didn't want to go that much and walk in the rain. Convinced Katelyn that she was okay to walk out and get some fresh air but that only lasted 5 minutes and Katelyn & I were back in the hotel room.

Greg and Tara came back after a 3 hour walk. Greg was surprised that Tara could wa...

We arrived in Amsterdam after having an hour delay, so this put is into Amsterdam around 11pm. After getting our luggage, catching the train into town, then finding the tram to take us to our hotel we ended up at our hotel a little after midnight only to find out that they overbooked and all the rooms were full for that night. So the man at the desk called a taxi for us and set us up at another Eden hotel but told us we could take the taxi back the next day and they would have a room for us. ...

Ready to see the city! We decided we better go ahead and see the Van Gogh museum early before the lines get too long. The weather was a bit rainy and windy that morning, so spending the morning in the museum was a brilliant idea. The museum was amazing! It was so incredible to actually see the paintings I've learned about in art class in elementary school on up through college. My only let down was that Starry Night was not at the museum. I was really wanting to see that painting. A couple ho...

Last day in Amsterdam. Up early to go get a warm waffle with powdered sugar on it Mmmmm then to Anne Frank's house. Rainy again this morning. Waited in line for about 40 minutes but once inside you begin in the shop and you get a little history about the Nazis, the Frank family and other situations going on at the time. Then you go up a level, still part of the shop and the offices of the people hiding the family. There was a secret bookshelf built with the passage up to the secret annex. Rea...