I love Amsterdam. It is one of those city that, when I visit, I immediately feel comfortable in, which made it the perfect place to end our vacation. When we arrived, we’d been on the road for more than two weeks, I was pathetically sick with my cold, and we were just generally exhausted. Amsterdam was planned as our ‘free’ time, the place we tagged on to the trip because we had to go through Schiphol to get home anyway, so why not take a day or two there? We had no agenda, no ‘must see’ places, and absolutely no commitments. So, for the short time we were there, we wandered around, enjoyed the beautiful, crisp autumn weather, and took many, many photos. We lounged in Vondelpark, cruised along the canals, browsed the flower market, peered through windows on residential streets at bookcase-lined sitting rooms, admired stylish bicyclists while contemplating what horrors would befall us if we tried to cycle those crowded lanes…it was bliss.
And that brings us to the end of the trip! Obviously, I had an amazing time and I’ve loved sharing these photos with you all. Thanks so much for all your comments, I’ve loved reading them. But most importantly, thanks to my amazing travel companion/translator/partner-in-crime, my mom. We live in the same house but, with both of us working, we don’t always get to spend the time together we’d like to. Travelling, just the two of us, has become our tradition and it’s been an amazing way to get to know one another as individuals and adults, to become closer as friends as well as mother and daughter. And as with any good tradition, I hope it’s one we’ll repeat for years to come. We’ve already started planning for 2012!
The Captive Reader 
Ahhh, what wonderful photos and such a great idea for a mother/daughter tradition! One more place to add to my “someday” list 😉
Love Amsterdam, last time we were there, we had a train trip out to Leiden for a day, had a fantastic time.
Great that you and your mother had such a good time together.
Wonderful pictures, Claire!
I know what you mean about Amsterdam, there’s something kinda homely about it!
Thanks for sharing your trip with us. It’s been fun tagging along – and makes me want to head to europe myself.
Love those unplanned days. Sometimes, that can be the best part of the vacation. Your pictures are lovely. Thanks for sharing.
Amsterdam was my last stop on my tour around Europe and to be honest I think I was all touristed out. I would love to go again one day.
Thanks so much for sharing your trip!
Awww: that last part of your post SO resonated with me! My mom and I are going on a trip to Mexico next year, and I’m so thrilled about it. What a gorgeous lady your mother is too: love that photo!
I have so enjoyed your trip and these pictures are spectacular. Thank you for sharing them for all to see.
Your stunning pictures and the feeling of being whisked away while I drank my cup of tea at the computer were priceless. Thanks for sharing!
Amsterdam looks lovely – the photos from the boat of the tree-lined canal are beautiful! I have just caught up with your posts and it sounds like you had a vacation to remember.