on the street - windmills, bicycles and beer

Tyler, Toni, Tim, Amy

Biking in the countryside, Amsterdam

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It started as a suggestion - I wanted my family to see Amsterdam because I thought they would love the city as much as I did. It was small, very walkable, surrounded by water, filled with great museums and great beer, interesting people.... what was not to love?

And like all great ideas one begets another.

I always wanted to stay on a houseboat in Amsterdam.

Everyone wanted to have bicycle adventures.

Well, we are so close to Belgium and none of us have been there - think of all that great beer and chocolate!

Oh, and since we have to change planes in Reykjavík - let's check out Iceland.......

It was the perfect family vacation. 

Okay, the weather was not perfect - much colder than expected, overcast and often rainy. But it did not hinder us. And - whenever we biked it always seemed to clear up.  But what made it perfect was the easiness of it all - no over arching schedule - we made it up as each day unfolded. Most importantly..... we were all together.

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Iceland was like a moonscape. Moss covered lava stretching forever surrounded by a blue gray sea and flat topped mountains covered in snow. The city of Reykjavik was compact and made up of mostly small corrugated steel houses and shops - white, gray and pops of color which stood out starkly against the steel color skies. It was damp and blustery outside but inside the shops, pubs and restaurants the people were warm and friendly and the atmosphere inviting.

The local beers were really good too!

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Outside Reykjavík, Iceland

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Reykjavík, Iceland

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As I expected - everyone loved Amsterdam.  The houseboat, located in the Jordaan, was a perfect choice for the 4 of us. We walked, walked, walked and walked ....... exploring all the areas of the city and savoring the atmosphere. Amstersdam is so comfortable and easy to get around it allowed each person to "take charge" at some point and lead us to a new adventure or sight. We visited all the important museums - including the just re-opened Rijksmueum, which was spectacular! Also on our stops were a few small museums that turned out to be amazing and informative - including the Museum of Bags and Purses, and the Canal Museum. 
Eating in small cafes and pubs, an impromptu lesson on Absinthe in a tiny liquor shop, discovering La Chouffe and comparing apple pies all added to the adventure  - as did our bicycle tour through the city's parks and out into the polders that surround Amsterdam. Amid the canals, windmills, history, and art - we had a perfect family time.

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In the Jordaan, Amsterdam

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Bulbs at the flower market, Amsterdam

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The medieval city of Bruges was strikingly beautiful. Cobblestone streets, canals, horse drawn carriages and a magical bell tower with working carillon bells make you feel as if you stepped into the setting of a fairy tale.  The city is filled with chocolate shops, waffle vendors, and the best beers I have ever had! 
Once off the main square one can wander for hours and rarely see the crowds that congregate within the city center and you just may discover a few hidden parks. Visiting the Memling Museum for its amazing collection of Flemish primitives is well worth the stop as well as seeing the ancient artifacts on display (for free) in the basement of the Crowne Plaza hotel - which was built on the foundation of a former 12th century cathedral. 

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A street in Bruges, Belgium

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Biking in the polders outside of Damme, Belgium

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