Amsterdam Part 2 of 2

Amsterdam Part 2 of 2 plus advice on shopping for a new suitcase.   Welcome back to  Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide   The FAQ is: I'm shopping for a new suitcase. Where should I look for one? Answer:  Start by looking at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Costco, Macy's, Nordstrom Rack, Target, Amazon, and directly on brand websites like Samsonite, Travelpro, Delsey, Béis, CALPAK, and Away. If you want to touch the suitcase, roll it around, lift it, and test the handle, go to a store first. If you already know the size and brand you want, online shopping may offer you more options. My practical advice is this: do not buy a suitcase just because it is pretty. Roll it around the store. Lift it into the air as if you are putting it into an overhead bin. Check the wheels. Open the zippers. Pull the handle up and down several times. If it feels flimsy in the store, it will feel worse in an airport. For solo travelers, I usually recommend a lightweight carry-on spinner with four wheels. It should be easy to roll through train stations, airports, sidewalks, and hotel lobbies. If you take trains in Europe, remember that you may need to lift your bag steps or onto luggage racks. Lighter is better. If you are a budget traveler, check TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Costco, and Nordstrom Rack first. If you want reliability, compare Samsonite, Travelpro, and Delsey. If style matters and you are willing to spend more, look at Béis, CALPAK, or Away. My favorite suitcase shopping test is simple: Can I manage this bag alone when I'm tired? If the answer is no, keep looking.   60-second confidence challenge Your challenge today, Confidence Challenge in Amsterdam If you like today's Confidence Challenge, my book series delves deeper into luggage and choices through the 5 steps to solo travel, from easy to more challenging, with foreign language communication tips. You can find the series at the link in the description.    See Book A for addressing this concern.  Find it on the website​​ at https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com/ or on Amazon. It's a several-part series. Today's destination is Amsterdam, in the Netherlands.    Here is a Three-Day First-Timer Itinerary for Amsterdam, especially for listeners who may be traveling solo, arriving from the USA, or visiting Amsterdam later in life and wanting to enjoy the city without feeling overwhelmed. Amsterdam is beautiful, but it is also busy. You will see canals, museums, trams, trains, bikes, cafes, boats, and crowds. The city works well, but you need to pay attention. My first practical tip is simple: watch out for bikes. Bike lanes are serious transportation lanes. Do not stand in them. Do not wander into them while looking at your phone. Look both ways before crossing, even if you think you are only crossing a sidewalk. Day One: Arrive, settle in, and get oriented. If you are arriving by train, you will likely come through Amsterdam Central. The trains in the Netherlands run on time, and the system is efficient. That does not mean it will feel easy when you are tired, carrying luggage, and trying to read signs in a new city. Give yourself extra time. Know whether you are taking a Sprinter train, a metro, a tram, or a bus. When I arrived in July 2025, I stayed at Via Amsterdam near Diemen Zuid. It was outside the city center, which meant I needed to use transit, but it also gave me a less expensive base. If you are staying outside the center, make sure your lodging is close to a train or metro station. That matters more than almost anything else. On your first evening, keep things simple. Check in. Do laundry if needed. Take a shower. Organize your day bag for the next morning. If your lodging offers breakfast, consider whether it is worth the price. I paid €12 for a hostel buffet breakfast, and I made a simple lunch to carry with me. For your first meal, choose something nearby rather than trying to cross the entire city. Amsterdam has many cozy restaurants and cafes. You might try Dutch pancakes, or if you want something sweet, look for stroopwafels. These are thin syrup waffles, almost like cookies. Place one over a hot coffee or tea cup and let the caramel-like center warm up. It is a small pleasure, and it feels very Dutch. If you have energy, take a short evening walk near a canal or transit station. Do not overschedule your arrival day. Your goal is to learn how the city moves. Day Two: Museums, canals, and classic Amsterdam. Start your morning by heading toward the Museum Quarter. This is where you can visit the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Moco Museum. If you choose only one, I recommend the Rijksmuseum for a first-time visitor seeking a broad introduction to Dutch art and history. For Americans, I describe the Rijksmuseum as a little like visiting the Smithsonian, but with a Dutch focus. You can see Rembrandt and other famous works, as well as sculptures, ceramics, historical objects, and quiet corners that surprise you. One of my favorite places inside was the library, with old books, a spiral staircase, and people quietly studying. It felt like a hidden treasure inside a major museum. Plan at least two hours for the Rijksmuseum. If you love art, you could spend much longer. Wear comfortable shoes. Museums can be more tiring than you expect. After the museum, take time to walk outside and enjoy the area. You can see the outside of the Van Gogh Museum and the Moco Museum even if you do not go inside. If you love Van Gogh, book tickets to the museum in advance. And yes, wearing sunflower socks is optional, but I recommend bringing a little joy into your travel wardrobe. For lunch or an afternoon break, consider pancakes or a cafe. Carousel Pancakes is one option to look into. Another restaurant name you may hear is Moeders, which means "mothers." Amsterdam has a mix of traditional, cozy, international, and creative restaurants. In the late afternoon or early evening, take a canal boat tour. A boat tour gives you a different view of the city and lets you rest your feet while still sightseeing. I noted a Dam boat tour as an option, and I think a canal cruise is one of the best first-time experiences in Amsterdam. You see the architecture, bridges, and water culture from a calm seat. For dessert, consider trying the famous cookies at Van Stapele, but go earlier in the day if that is important to you. They can run out early. End the day with a relaxed dinner. If you like seafood, try kibbeling, which is Dutch battered fried fish. I had a memorable fish dinner where we selected different seafood, and they cooked it for us. It included octopus, mussels, shrimp, and Dutch favorites. The restaurant was not in a fancy tourist area, but the food was surprisingly good and a strong value. Day Three: Neighborhoods, local flavor, and one flexible outing. By the third day, you will understand the transit system better. Start with a slower breakfast. This could be granola, fruit, tea, or something from a local grocery store if you are traveling on a budget. I often carry simple food with me because it gives me flexibility    Travel Mistakes  My mistake for this episode: trying to understand everything at once. Amsterdam works well, but it takes a day to feel comfortable. My travel tip: do not stay only in the tourist center. A hostel or hotel near a good train or metro station can save money and still work well. My lesson: Amsterdam rewards alert travelers. Pay attention, stay flexible, and let the city teach you how it moves.   AI was used to select some of the suggestions for this episode.   Connect with Dr. Travelbest 5 Steps to Solo Travel website Dr. Mary Travelbest X Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group Dr. Mary Travelbest Instagram Dr. Mary Travelbest Podcast Dr. Travelbest on TikTok Dr.Travelbest on YouTube In the news