4 Days, None the Richer

Credit: Youtube

So tonight (or tomorrow morning for the nit-picky), my four co-workers and I leave for our Yolo Trip 2018.

Last year we went to Barcelona and had such a great time, we decided to do it again!!!

And we know, we know.

You're saying,

"Why are you traveling with your co-workers to a foreign location for a little less than 4 days??"

The answer was, and still remains: Why the heck not?

Yes, some of us (not I) are engaged / married (not I) / in loving relationships (not I, okay?!!!?) and could go with fiances / husbands. Some of us have 2 jobs to make ends meet. Some of us absolutely HATE flying.

But much like the trip's namesake, You Only Live Once , there's a group of willing adults who are like-minded and want to see the world. Why wouldn't we just do it?

"Is three days really worth the money and effort?"

TBH, I have found this type of vacation to be the perfect way to see a small country 0r check off at least one location in a giant country on your bucket list of the world.

A long weekend to Amsterdam or Rome (as originally planned) during the "off-season" for 4-5 days can be extremely rewarding; both with the money saved and the memories made.

And think about it - when you go somewhere, you want to see only the MOST important sites, anyway.

Cut out the riffraff, the time-fillers, the overrated sparkly stuff that Insta tells you is great, but is actually overrun by tourists.

This trip, we sat down and planned out what we think will be the most fun and efficient way of seeing a small portion of the Netherlands ... and Belgium.

So without further ado :

A Long Weekend in Amsterdam

Day 1: Arrive midday.

Drop off bags at hotel and get out there! (some swear that taking a nap is also helpful - up to you, slacker)
Walk the 9 Little Streets (De 9 Straatjes) to shop!
Find a cute place to eat (will report back on what we found)
Heineken Tour !
Off to trendy bars researched on Yelp, obviously

Day 2: Recoup and Get Goin'!

Sleep in a *little* and grab a true Dutch breakfast
Explore the city - Vondelpark
Anne Frank Huis (buy tickets ahead of time and pick your time!)
Grab dinner and a coffee!
Canal tour (I read about Those Dam Boat Guys - will report back on experience)
Red Light District tour (We chose the "offbeat" tour. Again, let's see how that goes...?)

Day 3: What does one do when they are overachievers...go to another country for the day!

Full-day tour to Bruges, Belgium - drives through Netherlands countryside on the way
Eat Belgian waffles like it's our job
Return and go out in Amsterdam!

Day 4: Flyin' back

Midday flight means rushed morning - perhaps one last shop around De 9 Straatjes.

I am excited for this trip.

I truly am.

One sad thing is that we lost one of our original travelers (she's, like, gonna have a baby. Priorities?), but the spot was quickly filled by a new member of the Crazies Crew, so I'm up for a different kind of adventure, though nothing will ever replace the Barcelona Babes of 2017.

* One thing's for sure - thanks to that trip, we were smart enough to go into Amsterdam knowing the difference between a coffee shop (cafe) and a coffeeshop . . .

Skål xx