1. [embed]https://www.tiktok.com/@adventuresbyanne/video/7294660504709057834?lang=en[/embed]
   
   Do not rent a car. Amsterdam has a robust and easy to navigate mass transit system.  The GVB transit system offers metro trains, buses, and trams.  Purchase a ticket based on the number of days you will be in the area.  For example, a 3-day ticket is 21 euros and is valid for unlimited travel on all routes for 72 hours from your first check in.  Follow the maps located near each stop, and you’ll be able to navigate to within a couple blocks of your destination. Apple and Google maps include the mass transit routes as well.


2. Do not stop in the bike lanes. Amsterdam has approximately 2 bikes per capita.  With approximately 900,000 residents, that is a lot of bicycles!  The infrastructure is designed to give bike riders their own path on almost every street.  So, you will find sidewalk, bike lane, car lane (and often tram tracks as well) in each direction of traffic flow.  The bike lanes are additionally marked with red pavement.  And…bicycles have the right of way, not pedestrians.  So, stay alert, keep your head on a swivel, and don’t stop in the bike lane.


3. Do not miss out on Dutch pancakes. Amsterdam isn’t what I would call a foodie capital of the world.  There are a few things they are known for in Amsterdam:  frites, stroopwafel, bitterballen, kaasstengels, and Gouda to name a few.  The top of the list for me was the dutch pancake.  I was expecting the puffy pancake with the tall sides in a cast-iron skillet known to me as the Dutch baby.  The real Dutch pancake is about the size of a medium pizza and thin – somewhere just beyond a crepe on its way to an American pancake.  Served plain, savory, or sweet and served for breakfast, lunch, and maybe even dinner, you can find them all over the city.


4. Don’t try to keep track of all the beautiful canals. When you first arrive by metro, you’ll be greeted by the River IJ (pronounced “eye”) at Amsterdam Centraal.  Pushing deeper into the city, you’ll find the intricate canal network which, quite literally, keeps the city from sinking!  As you walk around this part of Amsterdam, at almost every turn you will find a bridge over a beautiful canal.  Embrace it, and take pictures of them all.  Pretty soon, you’ll be saying to your travel companions, “oh look! Another beautiful canal”.  Your camera roll will thank you later.


5. Don’t miss the Anne Frank House and the Van Gough Museums. Plan ahead and stay aware of when tickets initially go on sale for your dates.  If you arrive in Amsterdam without a ticket, you will likely miss out.  Anne Frank House tickets.  Every Tuesday, the Anne Frank House releases tickets for the following 6 weeks and tickets are 16 euros for an adult ticket.  A 30-minute introductory program is an additional 7 euros, and well worth it!  The Van Gough museum tickets can be purchased online at any time, but likely sell out anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks in advance.  There are many other museums in the city where tickets are easier to get within a few days of your visit, and all are fantastic.  But if Anne Frank and Van Gough are on your must-do list (and they should be!), mark your calendars and purchase in advance.

Imagine it's two days after your wedding day.  You've planned that special day for several months, if not a year or more.  Everything goes off without a hitch.  You're surrounded by those you love and who love you to start your new life as Mr. & Mrs.

You planned your honeymoon with a professional travel advisor, and have been working on the details for a few months.  Passports are in order, airline tickets and 5-star all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean is confirmed and paid for.  Sunscreen and swimsuits are packed.

You have multiple flights to get to your honeymoon, and everything starts out OK.  The flight to JFK leaves the gate on time, but then sits on the runway for what feels like forever and you arrive late.  You are in main cabin, so have to wait for everyone to get off the plane before you can start your sprint to another terminal.  When you arrive at the connection gate, they've already closed the doors, and now you've missed the flight!

Panic sets in.  The crew at the airport are not super helpful, and you are getting a little frustrated.  But...you have a travel advisor!  You call her.  She calms you down a little bit and starts to make calls to find out all of the options.  She talks you through getting on stand-by for the first flight out the next day.  She helps talk you through planning to file a travel protection claim when you get home (keep your receipts!!!).  She finds a hotel and is able to extend your stay with the resort.  You get an unscheduled night in New York City and get to explore a bit.  You get a good night sleep, make it to the airport early, and are fortunate enough to get on the flight.

What you initially thought was going to be disaster and ruin your dream honeymoon turns into a couple bumps in the road along the way.  Your travel advisor not only has helped navigate the challenges, but she's reduced the stress at least a little bit.

Without the travel advisor to assist, you would have been left to figure things out on your own.  Having someone to advocate for you can make a difference.  It's worth it!!

Planning a trip? Don't underestimate the value of a travel advisor! I bring expertise, insider knowledge, and personalized recommendations to ensure your journey is unforgettable. From finding hidden gems to handling unexpected hiccups, I am your trusted ally. Let me take the stress out of planning and make your dreams a reality!

 Have you forgotten what it feels like to travel? The feeling of waking up in a new place ready to explore? Or maybe relax and unwind with nothing on your to-do list. Re-awaken that part of you that lights up with new experiences. Re-connect with what matters most and come back to the present moment. Whether it’s a refresh that you need or a new adventure, Iwill help you find exactly what your soul is craving.

On select journeys booked through me, you will receive a fully complimentary Private Car & Guide to exclusively guide you on your journey. Contact me today to learn more about this amenity and trips that offer it.