I’ve been meaning to write this for the longest time, but as often happens, life got in the way—most notably the coronavirus pandemic. While travel has been on hold for so many of us, that doesn’t stop us from dreaming about the future and planning for the day when the world opens up again.
Back in September last year, my husband whisked our little one and I off to Amsterdam. It was a truly magical experience, especially since it was our first family trip to Europe. Before that, our travels had only taken us as far as Sydney, but we felt that the time had finally come for a bigger adventure. Our daughter had just turned three, and we were ready to make some unforgettable memories. And oh, did we ever!
The first two days were spent together as a family, but then it was just bubby and me for the remaining three days while my husband returned to work. I was no stranger to travelling solo before marriage, but navigating a foreign city alone with a toddler was a whole new challenge.
After a good night’s sleep, we ventured out on our first day, carefully dodging the ever-present bicycles, to a little gem called De Vier Pilaren. The mission? To indulge in some long-awaited poffertjes—those soft, fluffy Dutch pancakes! Oh my goodness, they were pure heaven, dripping in butter, dusted with icing sugar, and generously smothered in Nutella. One plate was definitely not enough (and my waistline is still paying the price!). Bubby was utterly enchanted by them, so much so that we had to order another plate. And aside from the divine food, the café’s decor was equally charming—just a delightful little place.
To walk off those decadent poffertjes, we made our way over to the famous Vondelpark. What a stunning spot! Bubby was thrilled, darting through the green spaces, chasing ducks by the little lakes, and once again dodging those ubiquitous bicycles. We had hoped to visit the playgrounds, but simply roaming the park’s beautiful paths was enough for us that day. After a full day of exploration, we were all quite exhausted, and it was time to head back to the hotel for a relaxing evening.
We had the pleasure of staying at two different hotels during our trip. The first was the Amsterdam Marriott Hotel, which was a treat in itself. The room service was fantastic—real Dutch cuisine at its best! I still remember the comfort of tucking into a late-night bowl of snert (traditional Dutch split-pea soup), followed by bitterballen paired with a cold Heineken—absolute bliss!
After my husband left, bubby and I moved to the Hotel NH Amsterdam Centre. This was an equally fabulous choice, especially for a mum travelling with a toddler. The room was incredibly spacious, with a separate lounge area and a wonderfully roomy bathroom—so important when you’ve got little ones in tow! Breakfast each morning was simply splendid, with a spread so generous that it kept us full for most of the day. The only minor disappointment was the lack of Dutch options on the room service menu, but with everything else being so lovely, I could easily overlook it.
Travelling with a toddler certainly meant we saw less than we might have otherwise, but that didn’t matter. We savoured every moment, and it remains one of the most cherished trips of my life. Even now, nearly a year later, our little one still talks about Amsterdam. We can’t wait to go back and create even more memories.
Places Featured in This Post
Leidsebosje 5, Stadhouderskade 11, 1054 ES Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tel: +31 6 13600843
A delightful spot for traditional Dutch poffertjes and pancakes. Perfect for indulging in a sweet treat with a charming atmosphere.
Van Baerlestraat & Vondelpark Museum Quarter, Amsterdam, Netherlands
One of the most beautiful parks in Amsterdam, perfect for relaxing walks, picnics, and letting little ones explore the greenery and ducks by the lakes.
Stadhouderskade 12, 1054 ES Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 607 5555
A luxurious hotel offering excellent service, with delightful Dutch fare available through room service, including traditional snert and bitterballen.
Stadhouderskade 7, 1054 ES Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 685 1351
Spacious rooms and fantastic breakfast make this a wonderful choice for families. A comfortable and welcoming option for mums travelling with young children.
Until next time, happy reading and thank you for being part of The Yumcha Mama community!
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Love, Mei-Ling x
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