Amsterdam

Planning a trip to Amsterdam can be overwhelming, but with a bit of prep the perfect trip awaits. Consider some of the following suggestions to streamline the process and ensure you have plenty of energy to enjoy your trip: 

Decide when to go, as each season has its unique charm. 

• Spring (March to May) is the only time to take in the tulips: Keukenhof Gardens, located just outside the city, is a popular spring attraction boasting a bounty of blossoms. The weather can be a bit unpredictable during this time, with occasional rain and cool temperatures alongside plenty of sunny days, so pack options. 
• Summer (June - August) is peak tourist season in Amsterdam, with warm temperatures and long days permitting plenty of festivals, outdoor markets, and live concerts—coupled with heightened hotel prices.
• Fall (September - November) can be picturesque amid the autumnal hues of leaves reflected in the city’s canals. The weather is usually mild and comfortable, there are fewer crowds than in the summer months, and the Amsterdam Dance Event, a 5-day electronic music festival, takes place in October.
• Winter (December - February), while often cold and damp with occasional snow and icy conditions, brings about the festiveness of the holidays: the city twinkles and if the temperature drops low enough for long enough, you can skate on frozen canals. Less crowds also make this a great time to sample some of the city’s many museums.

Book your flights FISRT then accommodations and the like. Once you've decided on your travel season, book your flight(s) and accommodation in advance: consider tracking flights & prices by enabling Google Flights with enough notice (two to eleven months) and flying on off-peak days (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays) to snag the best deal as soon as they come along.  

Amsterdam has a wide range of hotels, hostels, and vacation rentals to choose from, so research the areas you want to stay in before booking: 

• For budget-friendly accommodations, consider staying in a hostel or booking an Airbnb rental; we stayed at an apartment style hotel,  Hotel2Stay, to accommodate our weeklong stay in the Netherlands.. 
• For luxury accommodations, check out the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam or Pulitzer Amsterdam.

Pack light. Color coordinate a travel capsule wardrobe with layers (5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 outer layers, 2 pairs of shoes, 1 dress) and wear your thickest layers on the plane to avoid baggage fees at check in. Be sure to review your flight’s baggage restrictions, double check the weather just before your trip, as  temperatures can vary widely and Amsterdam is known for its rainy weather. Also consider brining a reusable water bottle, as tap water in Amsterdam is safe to brink, and don’t forget (portable) chargers and a universal plug adapter!

Safeguard important documents. Make copies of your passport, travel itinerary, vaccinations records etc., and keep pictures of each on your phone or in the cloud (if you have an iPhone consider creating a Note >> Scan Documents >> Lock Note as a backup to the backup).