Biking Amsterdam's Countryside

Life as a flight attendant for a major airline means I’m on call for work 6 days out of the month in 3 day blocks, and I can get called at anytime, and get sent anywhere around the world.

Thinking I was going to make some easy money and get paid to sit at home, I got a phone call at 4:00pm from scheduling, informing me that I had to be at the airport in three hours, and that I was going to…

A M S T E R D A M !

I was excited, and nervous, as I had not worked an international flight in over a year,

and they are great hours, but you definitely put the work into those long haul flights!

In a matter of minutes my suitcase was packed, I threw on my uniform, and off to the airport I went.

This was going to be my first time working a flight to Amsterdam, but my third time visiting the charming and quaint river canal, countryside, bike filled country. And I couldn’t wait.

My layover was 27 hours, which is a good amount of time to take in part of the country, and still try to get some/rest sleep ( which is always limited after working an all nighter and arriving at 11:00am the next day, ready to explore! )

I have been to central Amsterdam on my past travels, and was excited about this trip because I got to explore the North Neighborhood of Amsterdam. There was a local farmers market going on across the street, filled with vendors selling their goods.

Later in the afternoon, a coworker invited me to tag along with on a bike ride. She showed me around the beautiful countryside Amsterdam entails.

Biking through narrow cobble stone streets, busy road ways, sheep filled pastures, we biked our way to Durgerdam; the cutest and quaintest country side town/village you ever did see.

Ending the bike ride at a traditional Windmill that is still running and operating today.

The next morning was spent walking around the beautiful neighborhood streets, shopping at the local boutiques; I highly recommend checking out a place called Fashion & Tea a perfect one stop shop to grab a tea or coffee, spend some time reading a book or working on your laptop, and shop for some of the cutest unique handmade goods.

Located at: Van der Pekstraat 40HS, 1031 EB Amsterdam

Stopping at a bakery early in the morning to grab fresh baked pastries is also a must.