When I went to Spain.....

Hola! Sorry for such a lapse in posts. So after Croatia, we made our way from Rome down the beautiful Amalfi Coast and my wonderful aunt and uncle picked us up and we went to their beautiful villa. The view was awesome! We spent the first day chillen out and tanning and swimming in the pool (which was not salt water wooohooo!) The next day we went to conca dei Marino's emerald grotto (was so bad it was funny!!) and a lovely beach called capo dei conca with a diving board into the turquoise waters. Had a lot of fun and was really nice to see my family and hang out with my cousins outside of family holiday get togethers. The next day my AMAZING aunt and uncle offered to drive us to Naples train station, which saved us 3.5 hours of travel and we actually got to see some of Rome! So nice of them and I am very very thankful!!!!
We walked around Rome in 4 hours and saw the outside of all the famous stuff. Got gelato and enjoyed the city's architecture. I was feeling kind of sick in Rome and the heat did not help so I went to bed pretty early as we flew to nice the next day. I started feeling better by the time we got to nice though.
Nice was sooooo gorgeous. The streets were very cool and the promenade was always bumping. The old city was where everything was happening so we went there a lot! Had a beach day and a lot of wandering around days. Rented bikes and biked the promenade on the last day. Then we flew to Barcelona (3 flights in a week. Crayyyy!)
Barcelona is by far one of my favourites so far. The atmosphere and the people and the heat are amazing. There are touristy parts but we also found some cool streets with funky shops and street art. The architecture here is next level. Gaudi runs this entire town still and he's been dead for ages. All the buildings and parks he's influenced though are stunning. We have now seen all the major attractions of Barcelona (we did park guell today and sagrata familia the other day). I love this city and the nightlife is pretty cool too. I'm off to a bar now with some friends so I will write again later!!

Hello from Croatia

We are more than halfway through our stay in Croatia now and it has been amazing. So surreal and every place feels like our own mini paradise.  We ended up ditching zagreb and going to dubrovnik instead which ate up a day for travel but turned out to be so worth seeing. The old town is where they film game of thrones so that was amazing to see. We walked the entire perimeter of the city along the top of the fortress walls. Best view of everything from there. We also did a sunset kayak to a brilliantly blue cove with snorkeling and cliff jumping and then watched the sun go down on dubrovnik. So pretty. After dubrovnik we went to Hvar which was paradise for 2 days haha. We went to the beach and to some famous night clubs. Our roommates were so amazing. 2 british boys who were so nice and we all got along really well. Ended up spending most of our time with them eating, drinking and tanning. Miss those guys a little bit. We are now in split for our last 2 days in Croatia with no plans but to walk around the old city, go to the forest and have a picnic which is apparently the best view of all of split and maybe do a pubcrawl. We are havin a blast over here. Can't believe we only have 1 month left. I'd stay forever if I could afford it lol

Budaaaaa

Budapest is amazing! I love it here. So many beautiful buildings and the atmosphere is so cool. Lots of cultural differences but I am getting a grasp on them. We have seen many museums, done some sightseeing within and outside of Budapest, gone to some bars and basically wandered around the dt core for days taking photos and just taking it all in. The food is delicious. So many carbsssss! We are walking everywhere though so that makes me feel a bit better haha. Going out again tonight then seeing Jessica's family tomorrow. Having a great time :) xoxo

We have arrived!!

Just touched down in Budapest not too long ago and I already love it! So beautiful and there is so much to see and do. Luckily we have our very own travel guide living with us for the next week. She is Csaba's god daughter and really cool. She is taking us to Pest for dinner and drinks then we are going to a ruin bar tonight. I'm so excited :)

Today is the Day

AHHHHHH the day is finally here! I am leaving for Pearson very soon and I am getting super excited! I have said all my goodbyes and my bags are packed and ready by the door. This is going to be an amazing trip and it still feels so surreal. Once I land in Budapest tomorrow I think it will hit me for sure. Can't wait to make lots of memories, take great photos, eat amazing food and experience different cultures for 6 weeks. I shall keep ya'll updated on my travels as much as possible (don't be mad if I miss a few days here and there ;) haha). XOXO

The Time is Now

I am getting so excited for my trip to Europe I can hardly focus on my last month and a half of school before I graduate from The University of Western Ontario! I have always wanted to travel around Europe and my dream is finally coming true.

What: Backpacking through multiple countries in Europe

                               Who: My best friend Jessica Czarnecki and I

Paige (left) and Jessica (right)

Where: Hungary, Croatia, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Netherlands

When: July 15th 2014 until August 27th 2014

Why: I am an outgoing, adventurous person who loves to explore, meet new people and have lots of fun! Plus, the timing for this trip is absolutely perfect!

Why the Timing is Perfect

The stars seem to be aligning when it comes to this trip. As I mentioned, I will be graduating from Health Sciences in April this year and then I will be going back to school for Nursing come September 2014. This 6 week trip will be a nice relaxing break from school and work before I start my Nursing career that I may have for the rest of my life.

Graduation 2014 Picture

When planning which countries we wanted to travel on this trip, there were a number of factors that influenced our decision. We wanted to visit countries that are more hip and geared towards younger people because some countries, such as England, France, and Greece, can always be visited when you are older and have more sufficient funds.

Speaking of money, we did choose to visit some of the countries because they were cheaper but also because they are less touristy countries and Jess and I are both explorers who just want to walk around and get lost so that we can find the beautiful hidden churches, cafes and other cultural and historical gems that most tourists don't bother to find and see.

Finally, we wanted to go to the places where we have family ties or connections through friends. Jessica has family in Budapest and my godmother's family also came from Budapest (I will be meeting and staying with some of her relatives while we are there) so that city holds a lot of significance and familial connections for us.

Parliament Building in Budapest, Hungary

My grandmother is from the Netherlands. I have family I can visit
and stay with while we are there, many of whom I will be meeting
for the first time. I have already started to practice some Dutch words
for when we go and I am bringing a DVD I made for my grandparents
50th wedding anniversary with me to give to my Tante Wies.

Amalifi Coast, Italy

Centrum Hotel in Maastricht, Netherlands

My Aunt and Uncle are renting a villa on the Amalfi Coast in Italy and have offered for us to stay with them for a few nights, which is an amazing opportunity that I may never get again!

The Sea Organ in Zadar, Croatia

Jessica's brother used to work at a hostel in Croatia for many years so we may stay there when we visit Zadar. 

Cologne, Germany

Also, our mutual friend Aaron is doing an exchange for school in Cologne, Germany so we will definitely make it a priority to stay with him for a couple of days so that we can spend some time with our good friend and possibly have the opportunity to travel together on another continent!

Time to Pack

So as I mentioned before we will be backpacking through European countries, but we won't be pitching tents and sleeping in sleeping bags. We have decided to stay at hostels throughout our adventure but we will still be carrying our backpacks everyday so we have to consider what we will be packing in them. I’m used to bringing every outfit and cosmetic product possible with me when I’ve traveled before, which will definitely not be an option on this trip! We will be taking only the bare essentials with us, so I will have to get used to not having everything I might want with me. I have started to think of a list of things to pack now so I can fine tune it as we get closer to July.

My backpack will consist of:
- toiletries (lip balm, small perfume, q-tips, deodorant, small package of Kleenex, lotion, makeup, mousse, shampoo, conditioner, roll of toilet paper, small package of wet wipes, toothbrush and toothpaste, sunscreen)
- a pair of waterproof sandals and a pair of running shoes
- 7 outfits for summer (one for everyday of the week that can be washed for the next week)
- a pair of long pants, one long sleeved shirt and one sweater
- socks and underwear
- a waterproof windbreaker
- a large multipurpose sarong

- sunglasses
- bathing suit
- a towel
- some instant oatmeal packets and granola bars
- cloth headbands

- a water bottle with built in water filter
- camera and phone
- first aid kit and medications
- money pouch for around my waist
- some Ziploc bags for when we get tired of eating at restaurants and want to buy food from the grocery store. We can prepare the food at our hostel and put leftovers in Ziploc bags for the next day
- my passport and any other documentation plus photocopies of everything important
- money, debit and credit cards, driver's license, ISIC card
- Campsuds Detergent, which is an all-purpose cleaner from Mountain Equipment Co-op that can be used on your body or clothing so I can do my laundry in the sink

- sleeping bag liner, which are pretty tiny and will give me peace of mind no matter where we end up sleeping (this is my first time not staying in hotels after all)
- international plug adapter
- a cable or wire lock, which is a padlock with an added cable that can be looped through your bag to secure it to a bed or railing when sleeping
- earplugs and eye mask
- deck of cards and some dice
- a smaller bag or purse for walking around during the day

Wow that is a full bag! If this ends up being too much or too heavy to carry around, I can always leave some things at home and buy what I need en route, which won't be hard to find in touristy areas.

No Time Like the Present

As this trip is fast approaching, it is now time to book our flights and start hashing out the details of our itinerary. We purchased tickets for a flight on July 15th from Pearson International Airport in Toronto to Budapest in Hungary. We leave from Toronto at 7pm, there is a 5 hour layover in Paris, France and we arrive in Hungary on July 16th at 3pm, which is 5 hours ahead so we will definitely feel the effects of jet lag for a while as we become accustomed to the new time zone.

Our flight home is a direct flight from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Pearson in Toronto on August 27th. It is an 8 hour flight but departs at 9:30am and arrives at 11:30am. This will definitely be a shock to my circadian rhythm but it will all be worth it as I will be coming home from the trip of a lifetime!

Game Plan Time

As I mentioned at the beginning, Jessica and I are pretty adventurous people and would consider ourselves the "explorer" type of tourist. We want to stay away from tourist traps, as we feel like they are overrated and don’t provide an authentic experience of the city or town they are located in. We want to get lost and wander the streets to get a sense of the local life and local attractions. To do this we can't really have a set itinerary, but there are some touristy things we would like to do while we are visiting each country.

We have allotted approximately 5 days in Hungary. In Budapest we want to:

Visit the Ruin Bars in Budapest 

The coolest nightlife in all of Europe is found in Budapest. These bars are built in abandoned buildings and feature lots of funky art installations and decor. They are amazing, fun, and great places to meet locals. People of all ages flock here. If you skip these bars, you miss out on one of most unique things about the city.

Visit a Traditional Bath House and a Bath House Rave

Szechenyi Baths

Szechenyi Baths, are the biggest and most popular baths in Budapest. It is the ultimate bathing experience in the capital, and, arguably, Europe – it is the largest medicinal bath on the continent. The first thing you notice about the Szechenyi baths is the stunning architecture. Once you leave the outdoor zone and step inside the regal building another world opens up; 15 pools spread over several hundred square metres, countless steam rooms, saunas, and freezing plunge pools!

Rudas Baths

Not only one of the city’s most mystical Turkish-style baths, Rudas is home to the monthly Cinetrip ‘sparty’ – that’s a party in a spa. The parties include DJs playing pounding techno, flashing lights, fire-throwers, and acrobats. It's a wild night in an environment which clubbing has rarely taken place before. 

Chain Bridge

Walk across Chain Bridge, the first bridge to connect Buda and Pest. One walk across Chain Bridge and you will understand why Budapest is often referred to as the 'Pearl of the Danube'.

Our next stop is Croatia for about 6 days, where we want to visit Split and Zadar.

Discover the historical City of Split

Split is often referred to as the heart of Dalmatia. This enchanting city is built upon one of the most important masterpieces of ancient Roman architecture, Diocletian's Palace. The historical complex of Split including the palace of Diocletian is all categorized under UNESCO's world heritage site. Unearth a true piece of history while divulging in the gastronomic specialties of the quaint cafes and restaurants hidden within the walls of the palace. 

Driving along Dalmatia to the bustling City of Zadar

Drive along and explore the Dalmatian coast by taking the scenic route using the coastal highway from Split to Zadar. While driving along the coast of Dalmatia you will be undeniably amazed by the natural beauty. Along the way you will drive through the hidden valleys of the richly landscaped Mediterranean hills filled with vegetation varying from olive orchards, vineyards, palm tress and evergreen forests. Once you reach your destination, Zadar, you will be more captivated than ever to discover what else Dalmatia has to offer. Zadar will certainly astound every visitor with its wide variety of cultural and historical sites along with numerous charming restaurants and dainty boutiques. 

Sea Organ and Greeting To The Sun

Sea and the sun combine to give a virtuoso music and light performance on the promenade in Zadar. The Sea Organ is 35 pipes of different lengths, diameters and angles built into the steps over which the Adriatic washes. The tide pushes air down the tubes to produce a haunting and unpredictable symphony. 

Architect Nikola Basic has added Greeting To The Sun, a glass circle set on the quay at the exact point on the waterfront from where you see what is said to be the world's most beautiful sunset. Photovoltaic plates (a type of solar panel) absorb energy by day and produce a show of dancing lights by night, and enough power to light the entire quay.

After Croatia, we will train to Italy, where we will stay with my aunt and uncle on the Amalfi coast for 3 days and then train to Pisa and stay for 2 days.

Relaxing on beaches in Conca dei Marini

Lido Capo di Conca

Lido Capo di Conca is the private beach just for people staying in Conca dei Marini. There is a vehicle that navigates masterfully down the steep hairpin cliffs and the driver drops you off at the top of Lido Capo. Then an open air jeep takes you down even more impossible cliffs until you reach the 100 or so steps down to the beach! It is a thrilling ride and the views are amazing. Once you reach the "beach" (which along much of the Amalfi coast means sun beds on cement) you are rewarded with your own little corner of paradise. The water is crystal clear, the views of the mountain cliffs dropping off to the water are amazing, there is a diving board, which is fun for everyone and the snack bar is great.

Emerald Grotto (Grotta di Smeraldo)

Set in the bay of Conca dei Marini, this awesomely beautiful cave is named for the colour reflected in the water and offers many fascinating geological structures. The Grotto Esmerelda is amongst the most noteworthy natural landmarks in Campania. A fascinating sea cave which can be reached by either road or boat, the Grotto Esmerelda is often better known to tourists as the Emerald Grotto, due to the rich green colour of its sandy, watery floor. Guided tours by boat transport passengers right into the illuminated cavern, passing large stalactites and stalagmites along the way.

The seascape of the Amalfi Coast: Snorkeling or scuba diving tour

Enjoy the diving on Amalfi Coast! Come with us on a journey between two worlds: landscape and seascape. An unforgettable experience, diving in the beautiful surroundings of one of the most famous and beautiful coasts of Italy, the Amalfi Coast. The calcareous nature of the Mediterranean area is full of caves, grottoes and cavities. Do not miss the shallows offshore, where the current and the constant presence of small blue fish is the perfect environment to admire our typical fishes such as amberjack, tuna, saddled bream, and pilot fish. With a bit of luck, admire the dolphins who will follow us!


I have been snorkelling before but scuba diving would be something I would love to try. It is definitely outside of my comfort zone but has always been something I wanted to do and there is no time like to present to give it a try!

Piazza dei Miracoli

The Square of Miracles is home to many of the city’s most beautiful attractions: the Baptistery, which shares the piazza with the imposing Camposanto (sacred burial ground) whose 43 blind arcades face the square. The famous Leaning Tower rises

directly behind the cathedral, in the middle of a large extension of green grass. Start your visit at the Cathedral of Pisa, with its marble facade, adorned by columns and statues; then visit the Baptistery, both indoors and out.

Then, walk to the top of the Leaning Tower and finish your visit in the Monumental Cemetery, inside which you can visit a collection of ancient Roman sarcophaguses and frescoes of the Master of the Triumph of Death.

Walk along Corso Italia

This street is the main venue for shopping, which every girl needs to do a bit of even while on vacation. At the end of this large street, there are "Logge dei Banchi", a loggia by the architect Bernardo Buontalenti. It used to host a market and today it’s still used for this purpose, especially during the Christmas holidays. His profile, next to the clock tower, is one of the most famous views of Pisa along the Arno River.

Go to the left and continue walking for two minute: you’ll reach Palazzo Blu, a venue which hosts lots of wonderful art exhibitions. You’ll see also a beautiful church on Arno river: it’s "Chiesa della Spina".

After Italy, we want to stop in Nice for a couple of days. Nice is supposed to be a gorgeous city, it is called Nice la Belle, which means Nice the Beautiful. It is also a special stop for me because my mother went to Nice on exchange when she was in University and my father came to visit her, which was their first vacation away together. They just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and I hope to one day share a love like they do. 

Promenade des Anglais

The legendary Promenade des Anglais is a long seaside walkway that stretches along the Mediterranean coast in Nice France.  Built in the 1830s, visitors to Nice can enjoy a leisurely walk along the Baie des Anges.

The Charm of the Old Town

The old area of the city of Nice, also known as the Old Nice in English and Vieux-Nice or Vieille Ville in French, is the home to many shops, restaurants and pubs among other places. There, you can visit the Nice Opera, St. Reparata Cathedral or the Palais Lascaris. From the castle hill, accessible by foot from Cours Saleya, you can enjoy magnificent views over the English Promenade and the Bay of Angels. Cours Saleya is the main pedestrian street in the Old Nice.

It is especially famous for its Flower Market, classed by the National Culinary Arts Council as one of the best markets in France. The multiple colours of the flowers in this market and the scent that comes from them will amaze you.

We may also visit a beach in Nice but mostly we will enjoy exploring this beautiful city. Eating options are some of the best you’ll find in France, the nightlife is buzzing and the art scene thriving all things that are right up our alley.

Continuing along the coast we will make our way to Spain, where we will stop in Barcelona for 4 days, take a ferry to Ibiza and stay there for 2 days and then stop in Madrid for 4 days.

Placa Reial

A beautiful square located just off Las Ramblas, it’s a must see for anyone looking for traditional Spanish and Catalan restaurants in Barcelona. Placa Reial (Royal Plazza) is also home to some of Barcelona’s best nightclubs. Check out Sidecar for live bands and indie rock music or head over to Jambore for pumping hip-hop and dance classics.

Explore Gaudí and modernism

Park Güell

Without a doubt, one of Barcelona's top attractions for tourists (as well as for those who live there) is admiring the city's modernist architecture, and the works of Antoni Gaudí in particular. Just walking around you'll come across various examples of Gaudí's work throughout the city, be they civil or religious buildings. The most famous are the Sagrada Família, impressive both outside and in; Park Güell, a space that's out of a fairy tale and emulates an English garden city; and La Pedrera.

Go Paragliding

Paragliding is the newest and fastest growing form of foot-launched flying. In this experience you will discover and enjoy the freedom of gliding hundreds of meters above land. Once in flight, your paraglide will soar up through the air and your instructor may even perform some exciting manoeuvres for you. If experiencing the quiet peacefulness in the sky appeals to you, then this is the opportunity for you.

One of my goals in life is to go skydiving but it is expensive and at the furthest end of my comfort zone. Jumping off a cliff and soaring through the sky may be a nice but still thrilling introduction to one day jumping out of an airplane!

Party Till Dawn

Es Paradis

Ibiza is renowned for being a top party destination in the Mediterranean, with crowds composed mostly of young people and tourists from all over the world making their way to the island during the summer. Music artists and some of the world’s top DJs perform at the most popular nightclubs and bars such as Es Paradis, DC10 and Eden. House, techno and trance music dominate the music scene and Ibiza’s clubs and bars are often used by various DJs to launch new songs and compositions to a very receptive audience.

Visit Eivissa Dalt Vila

Eivissa Dalt Vila literally means Ibiza Upper Town and commonly refers to the oldest part of the old town, which the local government has declared a protected area. Top attractions in Eivissa Dalt Vila include the imposing 14th century cathedral of Santa Maria d’Eivissa, which overlooks town and provides a stunning view of the harbor from a rise and the Necropolis of Puig des Molins, an interesting burial cemetery used for over a thousand years with a vast network of over 3,000 burial chambers buried deep underground.

Discover Atlantis

The area known as Atlantis is the site of a former quarry – the site where the rocks that form the basis of the Old Town were all sourced from. The old quarry site has now been totally reclaimed by the sea and at first glance appears to be a whole town completely underwater. It is an excellent place to take some unique photographs as the scenery is stunning and quite picturesque. Who knows, perhaps you might catch a glimpse of a mermaid or siren flitting about the edge of your vision!

Chocolatería de San Ginés Restaurant

Founded in 1894, San Ginés is the perfect place to enjoy Madrid’s famous breakfast: chocolate and churros. The Chocolatería de San Ginés is almost as famous for the hours it keeps as for its churros, staying open all night long until 6 or 7am and often seeing its busiest hours after 4am on weekends, when the hungry revellers turn up in droves to sample the fare. It's quite an experience just to be in this cafeteria, since it maintains much of its original decor, with the marble-topped bar, wood panelling and the old wall-clock. All in all, this is definitely one of those experiences that really defines a city, and one you shouldn't miss if possible when in Madrid.



The Teleférico, Madrid's Cable Car

If you want to see Madrid from a bird's eye view, take the cable car ("el Teleférico") that was originally built as part of the Parque de Atracciones amusement park. The cable car carries you above the city's parks and the Manzanares River in the distance, as a recorded commentary describes what you are looking at. You'll be seeing attractions such as the Plaza de España and the Egyptian temple of Debod from a completely different perspective, as well as taking photos from several other angles.




Botín Restaurant

According to the Guinness Book of Records, this is the oldest restaurant in the world, dating from 1725. The restaurant is also mentioned in the book Fortunata y Jacinta by Benito Pérez Galdós (published 1886-1887) and Goya supposedly worked here before becoming a painter. Hemingway was a frequent visitor and pronounced it one of his favourite restaurants. Today, the restaurant is decidedly a tourist spot, since it appears in so many guides. Don't let that put you off, though, because Spaniards still go here to sample the excellent food, specialities being cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig) and cordero asado (roast lamb). The restaurant in housed in a XVI century building in the old part of Madrid and really is a must when visiting Spain's capital.

I also cannot wait to just sit down for lunch, order a glass of wine, get some free "tapas"with my drink, listen to the music and take in the flamenco atmosphere. I might even get to see a flamenco performance if I choose the right restaurant!

From Spain we will fly to Germany, where we will spend 5 nights in Berlin, and a couple of days in Cologne with our friend Aaron.

Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate)

The Brandenburger Tor is one of Germany’s most visited landmarks and an icon of the city of Berlin. During its more than 300-year history, it has played many different roles. It has been a symbol for peace, war, victory, terror and war all over and since 1989 it stands for the reunification of Germany. Special Tip: Go there by night! There will be less people and the chances of you getting a picture in front of the illuminated Brandenburger Tor with no one else on it are significantly higher.




Zoologischer Garten (Zoological Garden)

Zoologischer Garten & Aquarium in the Tiergarten is Germany’s oldest zoo and with its 16,000 animals, including about 1,500 various species, it’s one of the biggest zoos in the world. It was rebuilt after World War II when it was completely destroyed with only 91 surviving animals.






Walk the Berlin Wall

The Wall was mostly demolished between June and November 1990 although a restored stretch remains along the southern border of Wedding and Mitte. Take a walk along the Wall by the Spree, where it runs between the Freidrichshain-Kreuzberg districts. Whereas graffiti has been removed from the northern section of the Wall, the one-mile stretch known as the East Side Gallery is dedicated to art and preserves the paintings made on the eastern side when the Wall was brought down. The East Side Gallery is now the world’s longest open air gallery. Over 100 paintings such as the famous kiss of Erich Honecker and Leonid Brezhnev can be seen here on a more than one kilometer long, still intact original section of the Berlin Wall.

 Take a trip on the Rhine

The river cuts through Cologne's city centre and you can take all kinds of trips on the water to enjoy some amazing views of castles and vineyard landscapes.











Climb the 500+ steps up the Cathedral tower

Built between 1248 and 1880, Cologne Cathedral is regarded as a masterwork of medieval Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest churches in Europe and its twin towers dominate the landscape. The platform of Cologne Cathedral's South Tower offers an impressive view from a height of approximately 100 m. In order to enjoy the impressive view across the city and the Rhine from this spot you must first climb the 533 steps. When the weather is good it is possible to see as far as the hills of the Siebengebirge.











From Cologne we will make our way to Maastricht, where some of my family lives, for a couple days and then end our journey with a 4 day stay in Amsterdam.

Bisschopsmolen

Bisschopsmolen has a working 7th-century water wheel that powers a vintage flour mill that supplies an adjoining bakery. The loaves come in many forms and are joined by other tasty treats (direct from the ovens that are on view out the back). The cafe has sandwiches and other house-made creations, and you can self-tour the mill and see how flour's been made for eons.





Onze-Lieve-Vrouweplein (Square of Our Lady)

The Square of Our Lady is located next to the Basilica of Our Lady. The square is well-known because of the restaurants with terraces, making it one of the cosiest places in Maastricht and a nice place to go for a drink or meal.











Explore De Wallen

Take a stroll in De Wallen, Amsterdam's red light district, to see what all the fuss is about and learn that there's more to it than the sex tourism it attracts. The red-lit windows where sex workers primp are often attached to historic townhouses, and monumental architecture abounds in that sliver of the city. The Oude Kerk (Old Church), established in 1306, presides over its own square, while Museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder ("Our Lord in the Attic" Museum), a former clandestine church sequestered in a townhouse attic, testifies to a time when Catholic worship was forbidden, before the Netherlands became known worldwide as a beacon of tolerance. De Wallen is also home to a number of fine restaurants, and just a stone's throw from the diverse eateries of Amsterdam Chinatown.

Remember Anne Frank and the Dutch World War II Experience

World War II memorials like the Dutch National Monument, the Homomonument and others commemorate the victims of this war, and three spectacular museums are devoted in whole or in part to this period. The Anne Frank House is one such museum, where visitors can explore the "secret annex" where Anne hid for years with her parents, sister and three others as she composed her famous diary. Brave individuals like the couple who harbored the Franks were part of the Dutch Resistance movement, and to them a museum is also dedicated: the Verzetsmuseum, voted the best historical museum in the Netherlands, which documents the tireless attempts of the resistance members to thwart the Nazis. The Jewish Historical Museum, too, retells how the Holocaust devastated Jewish communities in the Netherlands, and how these communities have rebuilt themselves in its wake.

My grandmother escaped from Holland with her family during WWII and Jessica is Jewish, so these museums will hit close to home for the both of us.

Canal Tour

Amsterdam is known as the Venice of the North. 20% of Amsterdam's surface is water and with over 100 kilometers of canals, around 90 islands and 1500 bridges, traveling by water is a great way to see the city. No visitor should miss out on a water-borne tour of the splendid canals of Amsterdam. The canals, which were declared a UNESCO monument in 2010, aren't just a picturesque attraction, but were essential to defense and transport in 17th-century Amsterdam. With the arrival of the automobile, hundreds of canals were filled in nationwide to accommodate the new mode of transport, but Amsterdam has retained 165 of its historic canals, more than any other Dutch city.