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3 Days in Amsterdan - an Itinerary

3/23/2024

Based on my post about a last minute Spring Break trip to Amsterdam, I thought I'd summarize our thoughts with a Sample 3-Day Long Weekend Itinerary for Amsterdam. Enjoy!

3-Day Long Weekend Itinerary for Amsterdam:

Day 1 (Thursday):

Morning Arrival
Head towards the city for lunch at a café in the Jordaan
Afternoon wine and cheese cruise
Visit the Anne Frank House*
Dinner at: Bar Gui

*Note about the Anne Frank House: It is a small museum and only sells a limited number of tickets each day. Tickets go on sale every Tuesday at 10:00am for a visit 6 weeks out. I strongly advise purchasing your Anne Frank tickets as soon as they become available.

Day 2 (Friday):

Museum morning at the Museumplein (Museum Park):
Start with the Van Gogh Museum (NOTE: pre-purchase your tickets as soon as you plan your trip – the museum in now limiting the number of guests each day.)
Take a coffee break
Visit the Rikjsmuseum later in the morning (Remember to book a private tour for the docent’s expertise, and to skip the line. We found ours through Get Your Guide)
Have Lunch at the museum café or outside along the park (weather permitting)
Afternoon: rent bicycles and explore Vondelpark and along the waterfront
Dinner at: Tujuh Maret (Indonesian cuisine)

Day 3 (Saturday):

Ride your bicycles to the Jordaan for the Saturday morning Noordermarkt and explore the stalls.

· Options for the afternoon:

After the market, ride toward De 9 Straatjes. Here you can have lunch at a café and do some shopping.

Take the train to Zaanse Schans for the windmills and the restoration village.

Additional Options to Consider:

Depending on the season that you are there, do not miss the Keukenhof Flower Festival in the Spring, (we were there too early). My husband has been there twice and its amazing! (Note: for 2025 the dates are March 20 – May 11)
The Rembrandt House Museum is another one worth visiting, especially after the Rijksmuseum.
The L’Adam Lookout swing is something I haven’t done yet, but is on my list.
The Heineken Brewery Tour is just down the street from the Van Gogh museum, so it is centrally located. It is informative and fun, with lots of interactive activities and great lighting for the IG.
The NEMO Science Museum is must see if you’re traveling with the kids.
If you are there during the warmer weather, try out one of the paddle boats in the canals. It’s a very different experience than the wine and cheese cruise, and it is super fun.

Food Not to Miss:

Stroopwafels (at Van Wonderen, or Landskroon)
Bitterballen
The Pancake Bakery
Artisan Fries (at Heertjefriet, Mannekenpis, Vleminckx, or Ter Marsch & Co.)
Stubbe's Haring, located on the Singel canal
Coffee at De Haven van Texel (great canal views)

And as you plan your trip, be sure to visit my list of Top 10 Travel Essentials.

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3 Days in Venice - an Itinerary

3/18/2024

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Based on my post about an Italian Holiday: Milan, skiing in Madonna di Campiglio, Venice, Florence and Rome, I thought I would summarize with suggested itineraries for each city.
Here is a suggested itinerary for 3 Days in Venice:

Day 1:

Walk to St. Mark’s Square and explore the piazza. Soak in the vibe, the history, and enjoy an Aperol Spritz or a classic Bellini at one of the cafes
Go the rooftop of T Fondaco dei Tedeschi for a great view (times tickets required – reserve well in advance of your trip)
Late afternoon sunset boat tour of Venice
Take a break with espresso or a martini at the famous Harry's Bar at Cipriani. Soak up the literary vibe of this historic location
Dinner at Muro Frari

Day 2:

Morning: Doge’s Palace, Prison and Rialto Bridge
Lunch/Snack: Lunch like a local with some Cicchetti from All’Arco or Cantine del Vino
Afternoon: St. Marks Basilica and the Bell Tower
Acqua Alta (floating bookshop)
Despar Teatro Italia (supermarket in an old theater – beautiful)
Dinner: Al Gobbo – Venetian food near the Rialto Bridge

Day 3:

Morning: water taxi to Murano for glassblowing demonstration
Lunch in Murano Ristorante La Fornace.
Afternoon: water taxi to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection museum.
Water taxi back to St. Mark’s Square.
Snack at Caffe Florian, Italy’s oldest café (since 1720).
Dinner at Da’Arturo

Hotel recommendation: Hotel Dell’Opera

BTW - before your trip, be sure to visit my list of Top 10 Travel Essentials.

Venetian Restaurant List:
Our favorite Ciccheti Places
All’ Arco located at S. Polo, 436, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy. (Stanley Tucci goes here in his Searching for Italy show, and it is an institution. There is always a line, but it moves and it is totally worth it.
Cantine del Vino già Schiavi An institution for ciccheti.
Our favorite Restaurants:
Da’Arturo - If you really really like vinegar, then go for the pork chop.
https://www.facebook.com/philrosenthalofficial/videos/at-da-arturo-in-venice-ernesto-wants-you-to-eat-but-not-too-much-somebodyfeedphi/1936282133095434/
Muro Frari. Great food, great service, always busy.
Rossopomodoro near St. Mark's at Calle Larga S. Marco 404/408. A bit touristy, but solid food and exactly what we needed when we arrived hungry. There are quite a few places just like it in the immediate vicinity – all of them are good. We ate at a few.
Trattoria Dona Onesta. They have some tables right on the canal. Gorgeous. And the seafood was amazing. Located in the Dorsoduro neighborhood.
Al Gobbo di Rialto, San Pole 649 (over on the other side of the Rialto Bridge.) Everything was so good. They do take reservations.
And in Murano: Ristorante La Fornace, Fondamenta Manin 1. We had one of the best meals we've ever had there, looking back over the lagoon towards Venice. The boys even still talk about this lunch. I highly recommend a reservation.

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2 Days in Florence - an Itinerary

3/17/2024

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Breakfast at historic Il Bottegone on the Piazza del Duomo for breakfast
Duomo skip the line tour and climb the dome
Cappelle Medicee (the Medici Chapel), and the Piazza della Signoria
Lunch at the Mercato Centrale
Afternoon: tour of the Uffizi Gallery
Visit a few of the Wine Windows, then dinner at Il Latini.

Day 2:

Morning: David and the Galleria dell'Accademia
Lunch at Pizzeria Livio
Cross the Ponte Vecchio, explore the lovely shops both on the bridge and on the other side of the Arno
Spend the afternoon at the Palazzo di Pitti, followed by dinner at Olivia Bistrot del Frantoio
Hotel recommendation: the Il Tornabuoni

BTW - before your trip, be sure to visit my list of Top 10 Travel Essentials.

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4 Days in Rome - an Itinerary

3/16/2024

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Explore! Walk through the plaza around the Pantheon and head to the Spanish Steps, then the Trevi Fountain
Lunch: sandwiches at All’antico Vinaio
Afternoon: Castel Sant’Angelo
Dinner: Rimessa Roscioli.
Bonus: Highly recommend a Roma football game in the evening if they are at home!

Day 2:

Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Grab lunch at one of the lovely cafes in the Monti neighborhood.
Church of St. Lawrence and the Scala Sancta (Holy Steps)
Church of San Pietro in Vincoli to see one of the most famous sculptures from Michaelangelo, the Moses of Pope Julius II’s tomb. Aim to be there for sunset to see the rays of sunset come through the transept windows and brilliantly illuminate the sculpture.
Dinner at Il Chianti Vineria

Day 3:

The Vatican, St. Peter’s Cathedral, Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, plus the Scavi Tour if possible.
Lunch at All’antico Vinaio (famous for their sandwiches)
Visit the Piazza della Minerva
Largo di Torre Argentina (cats!)
Dinner near the Pantheon at Napoletano’s Pantheon.

Day 4:

Walk through the Campitelli neighborhood to the Santa Maria in Cosmedin church and the Mouth of Truth.
Head to the Jewish Neighborhood for lunch at Nonna Betta, or head to Tiberino Ristorante. Don’t miss the artichokes.
Catacombe di San Callisto
Dinner at: Ristorante Velavevodetto

BTW - before your trip, be sure to visit my list of Top 10 Travel Essentials.

Hotel recommendation: Hotel Abruzzi

Restaurant list for Rome:

Takeaway / grab and go sndwiches at All’antico Vinaio
Salumeria Roscioli

note: They also have Rimessa Roscioli next door – same food, more casual setup. (This was our favorite restaurant of the whole trip. SO good! We eeven signed uo for the wine club while we were there and it’s been great.)

Il Chianti Vineria
Definitely have the puntartelle salad….wow!

Piato Romano

La Gattabuia

Nannarella

If you have time, definitely go to the Jewish Ghetto for the artichokes alla giudia…but Roman style artichokes are also really delicious.

Giggeto al Portico Di’Ottavia

Nonna Betta is really good

Ristorante Velavevodetto
*****This place is cool because it is built into a cliff that was basically a garbage heap for ancient people to dump their jugs and broken pottery. There are glass panels in the walls for you to see piled up ancient shards of pottery. (This recommendation came from my cousin while she was there on sabbatical. They loved it, and it sounds cool but without a car it’s a bit far. Just something to keep in mind).

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Travel Itineraries

3 Days in Amsterdan - an Itinerary

3 Days in Venice - an Itinerary

2 Days in Florence - an Itinerary

4 Days in Rome - an Itinerary

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