From Zurich to Amsterdam
Road trip AClimb up North, One City at a Time
Start of your itinerary in the biggest city in Switzerland: Zurich. Spend 2 nights there, and then head in direction of Frankfurt, while passing by Basel.
After 3 days in the modern German city, drive up north, through Köln, and drive an other 2 hours from there to Brussels where you will stay 4 days too.
To finish off your trip, drive up north where you will deposit your car, in Amsterdam after 3 nights.
Sight-seeing
Zurich (CH)
A walk along the Limmat river is a relaxing idea. Where I would start off is at the bridge, then would stroll along all the way to the Old Town. On the way you’ll find lots of cafés, and you’ll be able to admire the historic buildings.
Once arrived, you’ll find a spot there : Lindenhof, where you’ll be able to enjoy a panoramic view over the city center, the river and the church towers.
Frankfurt (Deutschland)
I’d first head for the iconic pedestrian bridge that crosses the Main River. That will provide you the amazing postcard view of Frankfurt’s skyscrapers reflected in the water.
You can also discover its old-town square with reconstructed medieval buildings, as well as the famous city hall.
Brussels (Belgium)
You cannot come to Brussels without visiting the best viewpoint in town : Monts des Arts. The city center accompanied of all the flowers will leave you stunned. If you want an experience even more spectacular go during sunset.
Amsterdam (Netherlands)
If you wanna see Amsterdam like a real local, rent a bike and ride along the historic canals. Navigate through the narrow houses, bridges and waterside cafés.
Food
You can not be in Switzerland and not have a quick taste of fondue or raclette. The place to go is definitely: Raclette Stube Zähringerstrasse 16, 8001 Zürich.
The big cities of Frankfort and Köln have a huge variety of cuisines, but if you want to have a typical German lunch, I recommend you have anything that consists of Kartoffel. But if you want a lunch on the go, then you can take a German Pretzel, with cheese or the meat of your choice.
During your stay in Brussels, you must have a Gauffre at least once. Whether it’s with chocolate, the berries of your choice or even on its own.
Go have yours at : https://belgian-waffles.com/. As well as being delicious, they’re also artisanal. You can even brunch there!
Once you arrive in Amsterdam you must try their traditional cheese in a cheese shop. The one I would recommend is Old Amsterdam Cheese Store Damrak 62, 1012 LM Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Activities
When gloomy weather, the best place to go is to an escape game. You will find a majority of rooms. some with actual crime scenes.
Duration: around 2h depending on the room and how quick you go
Price: 15-25 EUR
If you want to feel alive, as you’re more of the adventurous type, you can not leave Frankfort without flying down a building. Over here you can go book up a spot: https://www.house-running.com/houserunning-frankfurt.php
100-110 EUR per person
If you want to experience a lively local square in Brussels, you must visit the flea marker in la Place du Jeu de Balle.
Once you’ve reached Brussels, for the sweet tooth, a place you will not regret going to is The Belgian Chocolate workshop:
price: 35-70EUR
To finish off the trip, spend the day in Walibi. A fun place for the youngest, as for the oldest!
https://www.walibi.be/en/tickets
Price: 45-55 EUR
An other way to experience your visit in Amsterdam is by boat. Book a canal cruise, or rent your own boat for a more flexible seeing.
https://mokumboot.nl/?utm_source=local&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb-website-nassaukade
Museums
For my art lovers, once you leave Zurich and you drive past Basel, you must go see the current exhibition in the Kunstmuseum or if you’re in the mood for something more contemporary, escape to the Beyler Fondation.
https://kunstmuseumbasel.ch/ 6-20€
https://www.fondationbeyeler.ch/en/home 25€ if you’re over 25 years old
On your way to Amsterdam, stopping to enjoy the art in the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, is something you won’t regret.
Let yourself impressed as well by the fascinating building.
You also have to visit the more famous museums such as: the Van Gogh museum or even the Rijksmuseum, where you’ll find masterpieces by Rembrandt.
https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en 22€
https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en 22€
If you’re going in to Amsterdam during Spring time, you can’t leave without spending a day in te Keukenhof garden. You will be surrounded by thousands of flower gardens, making you feel like in an other world.
