Some points to note before entering to the Netherlands as well as travel tips:One
Check out Quarantine Travelcheck Covid-19 here.
Two
As of time of writing, the regulations are as follows:
- Since the 23rd of March 2022 you no longer need to show proof of test when you travel (back) to the Netherlands.
- Since the 19th of April 2022 you no longer have to show a health declaration when boarding a plane or ferry. Taking a self-test before meeting others is no longer needed.
Three
Check out on the EU entry ban exemption categories here. My family and I fall under the fully vaccinated category.
Four
We are required to provide the following:
- a completed Vaccine Declaration Covid-19 form. You may download from here.
- proof of vaccination accepted by the Netherlands.
- proof of your return journey (return ticket issued by airline, bus company or railway company).
- a Visa (if required). Check out Visa Advisor here. For Singaporeans, we can travel to Netherlands without a visa for a maximum of 90 days.
Five
Travellers aged 12 and over from outside the Schengen area must complete
a vaccination declaration. Children under the age of 18 travelling with
their vaccinated parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are exempt from this
requirement.
However, we still decided to declare for our boy just to play safe.
Six
On the proof of vaccination, you need to notarise your vaccination certificate (VC) here by logging in using Singpass.
Enter your email address and an OTP code will be issued for verification. Click next and select the user for issuance. If your child is tagged to your name, you need to repeat this step twice.
Ensure all personal information are updated correctly and with the most recent passport number before submitting. VC with QR code will be sent to your email.
Seven
Apart from printing out a physical copy of your VC (just in case), you may also create a digital Covid Pass to be added to your mobile wallet here.
Eight
On arrival back to Singapore, you need to submit SG Arrival Card within 3 days before arriving back to Singapore here.
Nine
Check out Sky Scanner here where you get to compare air fares before deciding on which airline to book.
Ten
Rent a pocket wifi from Changi Recommends here as collection and return points are at the airport terminal which is very convenient. Do check out for price plan and promo codes here and the most important part is the specs here for unlimited data. Unlimited does not actually applies to all countries due to Fair Usage Policy (FUP).
Eleven
Purchase travel insurance from Changi Recommends here or if you are looking for a family package like me, check out here.
Twelve
I totally have no time to exchange cash this time round so wanted to exchange when I'm at the airport. Did not expect Changi Recommends to have FX as well. So impressed as CR is like a one-stop shop for me when travelling.
If you are not exchanging too much anyway or if this is like last minute resort kind of thing and you don't really mind the rate. Just need to pay them via paynow and voila to collect your exchanged cash on your travel date. Check out their link here.
Because Netherlands is a 'cashess' country (I will touch on this point later), out of the EUR500.00 which I had exchanged, I only spent like probably EUR100+? So I went back to CR and got back my cash in SGD.
Thirteen
YouTrip card to be applied here. I applied this card in 2019 and only get to use it this year before it expires like in Aug 2022? You just need to link your credit card to YT and it works like a debit card whereby you top up SGD amount via an app. The card could not be deducted as long as no money is being topped up. Any transaction made will be notified via YT app.
From there, you can select the amount you would like to exchange into the currencies you are looking at and the exchange rate is as good as the money changer in Arcade. Bank's rate is very low so if you want to compare, just use normal credit card for one payment and YT for the other.
I bought RFID card holder just in case to prevent any theft.
Fourteen
Everywhere you go, it is 'cashless' payment which suits me a lot. But do have some spare change of coins as some places only accept coins to enter to their toilets. Did I mention that apart from airport, a medium size boat rides (ferry no) and restaurants (you have to dine in there, not sure about takeaway), the rest of the public toilets are chargable at EUR0.50, EUR0.70 and EUR1.00 depending on the areas.
We spent so much $$ visiting to the toilets which was quite ridiculous.
Fifteen
Singapore is 6 hours ahead of Netherlands meaning if now is Sunday 1am in Singapore, it is Saturday, 7pm in Netherlands.
Sixteen
Check out Rudy's Taxi Company here for any airport transfer or if you are travelling to anywhere else. Usual trip is EUR50.00 and airport transfer (one way) is EUR75.00.
Train, tram and bus public transports are very convenient but we are walking most of the time, so did not try them out.
Seventeen
Local coffee shops are not your usual cafes so please take note. These places are where the locals go for their cannabis. You will be able to smell from afar even before reaching / passing by the shops.
Eighteen
Take note of cyclists and pedestrians lane and sometimes cyclists don't give way even when you are about to cross the zebra-crossing. In Netherlands, pedestrians have the smallest status unlike in Singapore.
Nineteen
Book your day tours from Viator here as I find that Klook has limited options while Get Your Guide let you book first and pay later. I prefer to pay immediately or I will forget to pay nearer to the trip.
Twenty
Type IIR or FFP2 masks are preferred but I don't see a lot of people wearing these types. Apart from the airport, no one wears mask anywhere but just bring along a few as you never know when the rules are going to change again.
~ Day One: Singapore - Amsterdam ~
We are flying with KLM and online check-in is not available as certain documents need to be checked at the counter. Service was overall quite good and food just soso only. Their french toast tasted unique though which was like an egg tart with peach puree.
ibis Amsterdam Centre Stopera
Valkenburgerstraat 68, 1011 LZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Our hotel's location was 15 minutes walk from Amsterdam Centraal train station and about 5 minutes walk from Waterlooplein metro station. Everything was good except for its cleanliness. Our room was not cleaned daily as in the floor not vacumned and we could see the dusts underneath our bed.
Only bed was being made, sink and toilet bowl washed. The shower area and washroom floor, not cleaned. Our body wash went un-refilled for days and we had to use the one at the sink. For an affordable budget hotel at about SGD330.00 per night with breakfast for two adults and one child, what can we expect right?
Child's breakfast was not included in the room charge and should be half price of an adult's breakfast (I could not remember how much). But, the hotel's staffs were flexible and did not charge us. They said something like how much could a child eat anyway? So it's pros and cons lah you know. I find that Netherlands people are generally friendly and they don't judge which is nice.
Breakfast spread was not too bad unlike our hotel in Perth where they only served yoghurt, fruits, coffee, tea, juices and cereals. But to eat almost the same thing for a week, also damn sian lah.
Restaurant Olijfje
Valkenburgerstraat 223D, 1011 MJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 33 04 444 | INFO@RESTAURANTOLIJFJE.NL
Operating hours: 12pm to 11pm daily
Our first meal at Olijfje was great where they serve Mediterranean food. We had kebabs, mixed grill, fried mushrooms, drinks, fruit cocktail and baklava as dessert. The baklava was extremely sweet.. too much for us.
Total damage: EUR68.75
Soup en Zo - Jodenbree
Jodenbreestraat 94, 1011 NS Amsterdam, Netherlands
Operating hours: Mon to Fri, 11am to 8pm | Sat & Sun, 12pm to 7pm
Do try their cheese straws and we actually went back to buy somemore. Their menus changed almost every day except for some standard ones. We loved everything.
~ Day Two: Artis | Houseboat Museum ~
Artis
Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, 1018 CZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Operating hours: 9am to 6pm daily
Admission ticket price: Adult - EUR25.00 | Child (3 to 12 years old) - EUR21.00 |
Infant (0 - 2 years old) - Free
**Do check on Artis' website for operating hours (during holiday season) and admission tickets (discounted prices)
A small zoo in the middle of the city which could be covered within a few hours. The children's cart are free for rental which was pretty cool.
Wagamama
Amstelstraat 8, 1017 DA Amsterdam, Netherlands
Operating hours: 12pm to 10pm daily
Overall quite a delicious meal but the ramen noodles are not to my liking. Still good actually.
Total damage: EUR64.80
Houseboat Museum
Prinsengracht 296K, 1016 HW Amsterdam, Netherlands
Operating hours: Tue - Sun, 10am to 5pm (closed on Mon)
Admission ticket price: Adult - EUR 4.50 | Child (5 to 15 years old) - EUR3.50
Child (below 5 years old) - Free
The only museum that interests me and there are still people living in houseboats in this mordern era.
Van Holland Stroopwafels
Kalverstraat 198, 1012 XH Amsterdam, Netherlands
Stumbled upon this shop and my god the stroopwafel was super yummy though kind of sweet for us.
Chun Cafe
Berenstraat 8, 1016 GH Amsterdam, Netherlands
Operating hours: 10am to 6pm daily (kitchen closed at 5pm)
Long queues for this cafe and I saw lots of people ordering the toast. We were too full so had BBTs instead, pearls were soft so it's good.
We continued with our walking tour around the area before da-baoing back dinner from Mr. Crab Bistro.
Amstelstraat 7, 1017 DA Amsterdam, Netherlands
Operating hours: 12pm to 10pm daily
Wanted to try out FEBO initially but the burgers looked unappetizing so we went for Mr. Crab instead. All good except for the fries which were too salty for us. We find that the food here either are too sweet or too salty like no in between. Ohh..
Total damage: EUR44.25
~ Day Three: Muiderslot Castle ~
Muiderslot Castle
Herengracht 1, 1398 AA Muiden, Netherlands
Operating hours: 10am to 5pm daily (summer) & 10am to 5pm (Tue to Sun) in winter. Do check out accurate timing on website.
Admission ticket price: Adult - EUR16.50 | Child (4 to 11 years old) - EUR10 |
Child (0 to 3 years old) - Free
Veerdienst Amsterdam
Krijn Taconiskade 124a, 1087 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
Departure time: Sat, 10:45am | Sun, 10:45am & 1:15pm
Ticket price (boat ride & entrance to Muiderslot): Adult - EUR24.50 | Child (4 to 11 years old) - EUR17
We booked a ferry which was inclusive of the entrance into Muiderslot. Note that the boarding point is opposite of Four Elements Hotel. Do
try out child's quest at EUR2.00 (to be paid at the entrance) and get a
free gift at the shop if completed. We did not manage to complete
though.
Restaurant Tempura
Plantage Kerklaan 26, 1018 TC Amsterdam, Netherlands
Operating hours: Tue to Sun, 4pm to 11pm (Closed on Mon)
Prawn & vege noodle soup was flavourful, tempura salmon had no fishy smell and tempura oyster was soft. Owner looked serious but actually a friendly person.
Total damage: EUR50.75
~ Day Four: Rotterdam | Delft | The Hague ~
Tours & Tickets
+31 20 42 04 000 (general line available between 10:15am to 5pm)
We booked our two tours via Viator but the actual Co. was with Tours & Tickets at Amsterdam Centraal station.
The Hague
Madurodam - Miniature Park with lots of fun but we did not have much time
Peace Palace - Only can look from the entrance
Delft
Delft Blue Museum - About how potteries are made with factory tour as well
Lunch at Inca Mania - A Peruvian bistro, food quite salty and we paid for EUR57.90
Dessert at Otelli Gelateria To Go - Yummy ice-cream at EUR1.50 for one scoop per cone!
Rotterdam
Cube Houses & Market Hall
River Cruise
Sushieye2 & Bar
Valkenburgerstraat 8H, 1011 LZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 23 90 728 | https://www.sushieye2.nl/
Operating hours: Sun, Mon, Wed, Thur, 12:30pm to 10pm | Tue, 4pm to 10pm | Fri & Sat, 12:30pm to 10:30pm
Was at Sushi Memory next door but changed to Sushieye2 due to more choices of sushis. Not great actually, gyoza had very strong pre-cooked meaty stench which I think was the same as Wagamama or Tempura Restaurant we had.
Total damage: EUR45.65
~ Day Five: Waterlooplein & Albert Cuyp Market | A'DAM VR Game Park ~
Waterlooplein Market
Waterlooplein 2, 1011 NZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Operating hours: Mon to Sat, 9:30am to 6pm (Closed on Sun)
Albert Cuyp Market
Albert Cuypstraat, 1073 BD Amsterdam, Netherlands
Operating hours: Mon to Sat, 9:30am to 5pm (Closed on Sun)
Nothing much at Waterlooplein Market, but a lot to check out at Albert Cuyp Market. Street foods and all but because we need to go to the toilet which only restaurants have them so we ended up had some snacks from Het Paardje. Spinach soup was special and we enjoyed those fried calamaris.
Hoi Tin
Zeedijk 122, 1012 BB Amsterdam, Netherlands
Operating hours: 12pm to 10pm daily
Very bad experience at Hoi Tin. Staffs were great and all but the food was disappointing. For the BBQ pork rice noodles soup, the pork had a terribly strong pork smell. The dim sums at Singapore's neighbourhood kopitiam are way better than these.
I actually went to look at all reviews from tripadvisor and all. I guess most people are just okay with very salty, sweet and strong smelling foods. They should totally visit Singapore man oh my tian..
Total damage: EUR65.10
A'DAM VR Game Park
Overhoeksplein 15, 1031 KS Amsterdam, Netherlands
Operating hours: 12pm to 8pm daily
**Booking is required online together with purchase of token. One token = EUR5.00 and 5 tokens cost EUR20.00 as online promotion.
Check out latest VR games via their website.
We boarded ferry F3 from Amsterdam Centraal station to Buiksloterweg for our VR game. Note that this is the only free ferry in Amsterdam. The fun VR games, Starbucks treat for ourselves and lovely dinner from San Giovanni made it up for our bad day. Damage at EUR41.50.
~ Day Six: Zaanse Schans | Volendam | Marken ~
Another half day tour near Amsterdam and we truly enjoyed sight-seeing at countryside.
Zaanse Schans
We learnt how windmills were used to make peanut oil in the past and the leftovers were fed to cattles. The government preserve these old windmills as part of Dutch's heritage and so visitors could still see them today. Had lovely soft serve there too.
Volendam
Cheese factory tour and we bought back smoked cheese & garlic herbs cheese. Lunch at Restaurant De Lunch and food was okay damage was EUR68.50. Got dessert at food truck opposite restaurant and finally tried poffertjes (mini dutch pancakes). Another stroopwafels tour and we brought home the chocolate caramel flavour one.
Also got the normal caramel flavour, some chocolates from airport as well.
Marken
Took a cruise from Volendam to Marken for the wooden clog factory. People in Marken still wears them today for farming.
Glow Minigolf (not to be confused with Glow Golf) Prins Hendrikkade 194, 1011 TD Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 73 71 809 | info@glowminigolf.amsterdam
**Check out ticket price and operating hours on website
Glow mini golf was fun but we did not use their 3D glasses as we could not see anything. Do not start with the last stage 18 or the game would be ended immediately - stage 1 and 18 are just next to each other.
Note that the entrance is outside a bar and the staffs will lead you to underground.
OCHA Thai Restaurant
Binnen Bantammerstraat 1, 1011 CH Amsterdam, Netherlands
Operating hours: Tue to Sun, 3pm to 9pm (Closed on Mon)
Fish cake was fine, tomyum soup has the authentic flavour but not spicy at all. Stir fried chicken and veges were so salty like how you accidentally drank some seawater kind of saltiness. Reviews said all were great.
Staffs are Thai and friendly, but I'm starting to think is it because the people in Amsterdam eat food with so much salt and sugar in them?? Probably not suitable for us.
Total damage: EUR42.00
~ Day Seven: NEMO Science Museum ~
NEMO Science Museum
Oosterdok 2, 1011 VX Amsterdam, Netherlands
**Check on website for latest operating hours and ticket prices
We simply loved Science Museum and I especially liked the part where we got to experiment tests in lab as Scientists!
Eat Mode - Japanese KitchenZeedijk 105-107, 1012 AV Amsterdam, Netherlands
Operating hours: Wed to Mon, 12pm to 9pm (closed on Tue)
After days of depressing Asian foods, Eat Mode totally made our day. Only the white radish from Oden was not soft enough, but still okay.
Total damage: EUR70.40
