Amsterdam

A Dream Come True: 19 DAYS Around NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, CZECH REPUBLIC & DENMARK for Less Than ₱120,000 – Airfare, Accommodation & 12-Hour Singapore Stopover Included

Last October to November 2019, I flew to Europe all by myself for 19 days & went around Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark. I never thought this trip that took 7 years to plan would finally happen & that I would do everything alone & DIY – no help from any travel agency, consultant or whatsoever. If you’ve been following me the last few months, I’ve shared every single detail of this Euro trip from city itineraries, flight reports, to hostels & even local food. You can find all posts under the Going Solo in Europe category.

Going to Europe for a long trip like this is not a cheap trip to do. Some people spend hundreds of thousands on airfare & accommodation & add probably another hundred for food, pocket money & tours. I didn’t have that much savings for this kind of expensive trip so I did a lot of research to make it happen in a relatively affordable budget. AND I DID IT! I flew to Europe for 19 days around 4 countries including airfare, accommodation & a 12-hour Singapore stopover for less than ₱120,000 all in. Let me share with you how I made this trip of a lifetime possible.

Disclaimer: There are ways to make this trip even cheaper than what I spent – staying in cheaper hostels, taking low-cost carriers / buses with cutting trips, etc. – but I wanted to make it special (as a first time) & splurged a bit on some parts like food (& beers), high-rated hostels & better transportation options. Also, I only chose to visit 4 countries instead of hopping on from one country to the other after a day or two to have a better appreciation of every country / city. I am not a fan of rushed trips; I enjoy staying longer in one place or country.

In case you missed it last week, I posted an article on 11 Europe thrift hacks that I did on this trip. These thrift hacks helped me save on some expenses like food & tours. Check out that article here.

Air Tickets

I took the risk & booked a return ticket to Europe with Singapore Airlines during their January promotion with BPI Credit Cards. I got the economy class ticket from Manila to Amsterdam via Singapore & Copenhagen to Manila via Singapore for only 719.23 USD. The ticket includes 30-kilogram baggage allowance on all sectors, in-flight meals & snacks, personal entertainment screens & their 5-star Singaporean hospitality. My BPI credit card charged me ₱37,669.40 including foreign transaction fees. Not bad for a ticket to Europe considering it’s with Singapore Airlines, right?

Months before the trip, I figured out the route I’ll take & the countries I’ll visit. Then, I booked air tickets for my inter-European transfers. Train tickets were more expensive & would take a few changes while bus trips, even if cheap, will take ages & a few transfers before you reach the next city / country. I paid €67,40 for a plane ticket from Brussels, Belgium to Prague, Czech Republic on Brussels Airlines. I booked another ticket from Prague, Czech Republic to Copenhagen, Denmark on Czech Airlines for 1,588 Kč. Both tickets include 23-kilogram check in baggage. I got charged ₱4,000.85 & ₱3,658.88, respectively for these 2 tickets.

I booked these 3 tickets without a Schengen tourist visa. Some people don’t recommend this, but I took the risk & did it. I was confident that time that I will be granted visa for this trip & luckily, I got one.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Europe is not cheap. A dormitory bed in a hostel costs about €30 to €40 a night, depending on the room configuration & location. Hotels & private rooms are more expensive. I can’t afford them. I booked my hostels 4 months into the trip. All these hostel bookings had free cancellation options if I don’t push through. I became picky with the hostels I’ll stay with since it was my first time in Europe. I stayed in popular & high-rated hostels found in central & well-recommended locations.

I stayed with Generator Hostel in Amsterdam (₱8,885.82 for 4 nights – paid in Philippine Peso), Sleep Well Youth Hostel in Brussels (€122 for 4 nights – paid during check-in), DREAM Hostel in Prague (1,790 Kč for 4 nights – paid via credit card on check-in) & Steel House in Copenhagen (US$ 116.24 for 4 nights – paid via Agoda). I paid ₱26,117.54 for 16 nights in these 4 countries – roughly ₱1,632.25 per night in Philippine Peso or €28,49 per night in Euros. I think I still got a good deal from these hostels! It would’ve been cheaper if booked my stay at least 8-10 months before.

Travel Insurance

Schengen tourist visa applications require a travel insurance with up to €30,000 medical coverage for the duration of the trip, some even up to 15 to 30 days after the trip. I got my travel insurance coverage online from Standard Insurance; I got their Travel Protect Policy which covers up to €37,500 medical coverage for 19 days. I paid ₱1,918 for the 19-day coverage.

Tourist Visa

I applied for my own Schengen tourist visa with VFS Netherlands. The visa fee cost €60 (₱3,420) + ₱901 VFS handling fee. I opted for the passport delivery service instead of picking up my passport in the VFS office. I paid a small fee for the courier service. I previously shared in this website how I got my Schengen tourist visa without the help of any tour agency. Check out that Tuesday Tip post here.

Internet Sim Card

Traveling around Europe alone isn’t easy. I made sure I was connected to the internet for the whole duration of the trip. I bought an internet sim card from Pinoy Traveler’s Unlimited Data Sim Card on Facebook. The sim card was operated by Three UK & it included 12 GB of 3G/4G data & unlimited call & text in Europe & UK & 9 GB of 3G/4G data outside Europe & UK for 30 days. The sim card cost ₱1,600 with free shipping. The data, call & text services worked well during my stay in Singapore, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark.

Travel Tax

All Philippine passport holders are required to pay a travel tax of ₱1,620 before going out the country for holiday. I paid the travel tax right before I checked in for my flight from Manila to Singapore.

Daily Budget & Unexpected Expenses

I mentioned in my Europe thrift hacks post that I set a daily budget of €40 for food, transportation & entrance fees. I spent more in some days but I was traveling on a €30-€35 per day budget. There were days where I had to buy last-minute museum tickets (Heineken Experience & Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam), join guided tours (Canal Tour in Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken in Holland & Kutná Hora in Czech Republic) & go on side trips (Utrecht, Bruges, Ghent & Český Krumlov) which cost me more. I also bought last-minute train & bus tickets in Belgium & Czech Republic – the downsides of not following an itinerary.

I splurged on beers in all 4 countries; I paid more for food in Denmark (food there is expensive) but I’m happy I still had about €120 cash left at the end of the trip. I counted all my expenses from pocket money, to credit & debit card transactions & debit card withdrawals for 19 days. I spent ₱34,327.78 (around €600) for 17 full days (travel days not included) on food, transportation, walking tours, entry tickets, guided tours & beers – about €35 per day on average.

Singapore Stopover

My flight from Manila to Amsterdam had a 12-hour layover in Singapore. I took this time to meet 2 friends – one for lunch + milk tea & one for early dinner. I also used this time to walk around the beautiful city, check out a city library & walk around The Jewel at Changi Airport. I spent around S$50 (₱1,859.4 conversion that time) on this 12-hour stop – food, drinks & transportation included.

Summary of Expenses

After all the costs & numbers mentioned above, let’s see how much I actually spent for the trip.

Exchange rate at the time of trip: €1 = ₱57.3 Exchange rates of purchases & withdrawals vary. There you go! I spent ₱117,092.85 pesos for a 19-day trip around 4 European Countries – Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark – with air tickets, accommodation costs & a 12-hour Singapore stopover included. If you’ll include the transportation expenses during the visa application process, to & from the airport when I left & arrived, it’ll be somewhere around ₱118,500 – still less than ₱120,000!

Don’t get me wrong, ₱117,092.85 is a very big amount but we’re talking about a 19-day trip to Europe here flying with one of the world’s premium airlines – Singapore Airlines & visiting first world & expensive countries like Netherlands, Belgium & Denmark. I couldn’t believe this when I listed all my expenses after the trip. I wanted this trip to be fun, memorable & spontaneous & I’m happy it turned out to be a trip of a lifetime. This solo trip to Europe is so far my longest, most expensive & most memorable experience I’ve had in my life. Every single peso spent was worth it!

Blog List

In case you’re interested in the posts about this trip, check out the blog list below.

FLIGHT REPORTS ✈️

SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 915 – Manila to Singapore – 5-Star Economy Class Experience In A New Generation Boeing Dreamliner
SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 324 – Singapore to Amsterdam – My First Ever 13-Hour Flight That Didn’t Feel Like One
BRUSSELS AIRLINES SN 2811 – Brussels to Prague – Belgium’s Flag Carrier & My First Ever European Airline Experience
CZECH AIRLINES OK 502 – Prague to Copenhagen – Czech Republic’s National Carrier & World’s Fifth Oldest Operating Airline
SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 351 – Copenhagen to Singapore – Cozy & Enjoyable 12-Hour Window Seat Economy Class Flight Back to Asia
SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 912 – Singapore to Manila – 3-Hour Remarkable Economy Class Experience Aboard A 15-Year Old Aircraft

HOSTEL FEATURES 🏨

GENERATOR AMSTERDAM – An Old University Building Turned Award-Winning Economy Accommodation
SLEEP WELL YOUTH HOSTEL BRUSSELS – Eco-Friendly City Center Hostel with Excellent Free Buffet Breakfast
DREAM HOSTEL PRAGUE – Stylish & Budget-Friendly Backpacker Hostel in New Town
STEEL HOUSE COPENHAGEN – 4 Nights in Danish Capital’s New York-Inspired Industrial Style Luxury Accommodation

VISA APPLICATION & TIPS ✍️

Do-It-Yourself SCHENGEN TOURIST VISA Application With VFS NETHERLANDS
11 EUROPE THRIFT HACKS You Should Know
10 THINGS TO KNOW Before Traveling To Europe

NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱

AMSTERDAM – Beautiful Canals, Colorful Houses & Interesting Museums In A Bustling City
UTRECHT- Unplanned Afternoon Visit To Netherlands’ Underrated Canal City
NORTH HOLLAND COUNTRYSIDE – A Day Trip To The Cheese Farm & Clogs Factory, Windmills & Waterlands
6 Dutch Delis I Enjoyed

BELGIUM 🇧🇪

BRUSSELS – Belgium’s Center, Europe’s Capital & Most Boring City?
BRUGES – Cobbled Alleys, Gingerbread Houses & Pretty Canals in Belgium’s Picture-Perfect City
GHENT – Belgium’s Underrated Port City
5 Must Try Belgian Treats

CZECH REPUBLIC 🇨🇿

PRAGUE – Europe’s Most Beautiful Capital City
KUTNÁ HORA – Day Trip To Central Bohemia’s Medieval Silver Mining Town
ČESKÝ KRUMLOV – Czechia’s Quaint Fairy Tale Town
4 Czech Eats To Savor

DENMARK 🇩🇰

COPENHAGEN – Walking Around Denmark’s Wonderful Capital City
7 Danish Delicacies Not To Miss
7 Interesting Observations About Denmark

Thank you for joining me in today’s Euro trip summary. I’ve made use of the pandemic to finish all the posts about this trip. It’s a shame that my next planned trip to Europe this October won’t push through, but it won’t stop me from planning my next trip to this beautiful continent. We may all be stuck in our own homes but we’ll surely go back to the time when travelling is safe & sound. It’s never too late to give up on your dream trips to Europe! Make use of this downtime to research about the cities & countries you want to visit & plan out the route you’ll take.

Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Is there anything you want to ask how I planned the trip in general? Or maybe how I did it? Feel free to post your questions in the comments section below. You can also send it via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Feel free to follow me on my social media channels for more information on cheap fares, thrift hacks & fun itineraries – Facebook & Instagram. I’ll finish the post with this.. I DID IT – 19 DAYS AROUND NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, CZECH REPUBLIC & DENMARK FOR LESS THAN ₱120,000 ALL IN & I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

P’s List: 6 Dutch Delis I Enjoyed

Hello & welcome to another installment of P’s List! In the past lists, I shared with you my favorite things to do in Japan & the 5 must try Belgian treats. Today, I will share with you 6 Dutch delicacies I enjoyed during my stay in the Netherlands last October. I was looking back at the photos I took around Amsterdam, Utrecht & North Holland & I realized I took advantage everything Dutch I had when I was there. Maybe I was still high (pun intended) knowing that I finally made it to Europe? Anyway, check out the Going Solo in Europe series if you want to know details of this Euro trip of a lifetime.

If you think of Netherlands, the first few things that comes into your mind are beautiful canals, cannabis & red-light district. I surely enjoyed the beautiful canal views & I swear I didn’t try the other two. Apart from these 3 icons, the Dutch also have interesting delicacies worth-trying. Let me share with you these 6 delicacies you shouldn’t miss when in the Netherlands.

Oliebollen

Oliebollen, literally means “oil balls,” is the Dutch version of doughnuts. This treat is made of deep-fried dough filled with raisins & dusted with powdered sugar. This pastry is found everywhere in the Netherlands & it is worth-trying.

Bitterballen

Bitterballen is a favorite Dutch bar snack. This deep-fried, bite-size meat balls are made of crispy breading & soft meat center. These are best served with beers. I tried this snack when I was in a bar with my friend in Utrecht. The bar served the bitterballen with cheese sticks & battered shrimp.

Kibbeling

Kibbeling is a Dutch street food consisting of battered fish & seafood portions served with mayonnaise-based tartar or garlic sauce. This is usually found in fish markets & local food stalls. I had this snack in Volendam during our North Holland day tour.

Stroopwafel

Stroopwafel, known as syrup waffle or treacle waffle in English, is a traditional Dutch snack made of 2 thin baked batters with caramel-like syrup filling in between. This snack originated in the town of Gouda – the same town where Gouda cheese started. This snack is available in all supermarkets & convenience stores. This is my favorite Dutch snack to date; I even brought home more than 5 packs of it.

Heineken Beer

Many people, even the Dutch ones I know, don’t like Heineken. You might not like it as a lager beer; but the fact that Heineken started in the Netherlands in 1873 & it has helped the country in so many ways then it deserves at least a bottle when in the country. I took the Heineken Experience interactive tour about the company’s history in its original brewery & I enjoyed it a lot. Take it too! Don’t worry, it comes with 2 glasses of Heineken beer.

Cheese

One must try all kinds of cheese they can when visiting the Netherlands. Our North Holland day tour dropped by Simonehoeve, a clog shoe factory & cheese farm in Katwoude. The owners of the cheese farm showed us how they make cheese & even offered unlimited free taste of all their cheese products. I left the cheese farm with a bag filled with Edam & Gouda cheese.

Bonus – Dutch McDonalds Burger!

My hostel friend & I went out for dinner on our last night in Generator Hostel Amsterdam & ended up in McDonalds somewhere near Oosterpark. I ordered the usual burger meal & voilà – it comes with a big bowl of greens (alternative for fries) & a small bottle of watermelon juice. I rarely try McDonalds when travelling because I prefer street food over fast-food but I guess it was worth the try that night. Anyway, there were no other restaurants or cafes open so we had no choice.

The Netherlands still have a long list of delicacies (including fries but I reserved it for Belgium) to try but my time with the country was only limited. As mentioned to my friends, I will go back to Amsterdam & the Netherlands in the future for more cheese & stroopwafels, also to try other Dutch snacks.

Which deli mentioned above you fancy most? Are you like me who loved stroopwafels & Dutch cheese? I am so sorry for making you hungry at this time. Thanks for joining me in today’s P’s List. For questions, you may post them in the comments section below or you may send them to me via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Don’t miss the upcoming posts about my Going Solo in Europe trip plus more budget-saving tips & drooling P’s lists by following me on my social media pages – Facebook & Instagram. Much love! ✌️

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Hostel Of The Day: GENERATOR AMSTERDAM – An Old University Building Turned Award-Winning Economy Accommodation

Another weekend, another hostel of the today feature! From last time’s post about Nekokura Hostel in Fukuoka, Japan, we’ll travel around 9,000 kilometers to the other side of the world – Amsterdam, Netherlands. Yes, today’s feature is Generator Amsterdam!

In the last few weeks, I started sharing with you details about my 2.5 weeks in Europe last October to November 2019. I took you with me on my Singapore Airlines flights from Manila to Singapore & Singapore to Amsterdam; I also took you around the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, to Utrecht & to the North Holland Countryside. We are only in the early part of this long trip & I still have a lot of fun stuff to share. Now let’s get down to business & know more about this award-winning Dutch hostel.

generator amsterdam

Generator Amsterdam is a large economy accommodation located in the eastern part of the city & is part of Generator Hostels group. Generator Hostels is a hostel group that offers modern, stylish & affordable accommodation in central locations within the city. The group already has over 10 properties around Europe & has recently expanded in the US. Generator Amsterdam is the group’s sole property in the Netherlands. It opened in 2016 & is now one of the city’s best choice of affordable hostel. The property used to be a former zoological university building & was transformed into a boutique accommodation. In 2017, Generator Amsterdam won as the world’s best economy hotel in the Hospitality Design Awards. It was also a runner-up in the best economy guest rooms & suites category.

I stayed in Generator Amsterdam for 4 nights. I was out of the hostel most of the time but I’ll will still share with you some bits about this award-winning hostel.

location & access

Generator Amsterdam is found in a quiet neighborhood east of Amsterdam city center. The hostel is located beside Oosterpark, one of the city’s largest public park. It is about 30 minutes by foot from Dam Square or Amsterdam Centraal. The nearest tram stop is Alexanderplein, about 400 meters from the hostel doors. The nearest metro station is Weesperplein Station, about 900 meters from the hostel doorstep.

The hostel may be a bit outside the city but is still located in a great neighborhood. The nearest Albert Heijn supermarket is 9 minutes away (700 m from the hostel) by foot while the nearest McDonalds & KFC fast food restaurants are 12-15 minutes away (1 km from the hostel) by foot. There are also restaurants & bars located within 500 m from the hostel. The hostel’s location is perfect – quiet, accessible & not too far from the city center.

In case you missed it, I shared in this website how I applied for my Schengen tourist visa. Check out this DIY Schengen Visa application post to know more.

private & dormitory rooms

Generator Amsterdam caters both to guests who want room privacy & those who want to meet & mingle with co-travelers. According to their website, Generator Amsterdam can accommodate up to 564 guests in 168 twin & quadruple rooms. The quadruple rooms are configured to work either as a private room for 4 or a dormitory-type of room for 4 different guests. The hostel also has a luxury apartment / suite that can accommodate up to 6 people. All these rooms have windows & have private toilet & shower areas. Room or dormitory bed rates depend where & when you book your stay. It can go as low as €19 per night for dormitory rooms & €75 per night for private rooms.

I stayed in a 4-bed male dormitory room for 4 nights. Each dormitory bed has a soft billow & a comfortable blanket. It also has a private reading light, a power outlet & a separate USB plug. Guest lockers are found under the beds. The beds don’t have curtains for privacy which I didn’t mind. I booked my stay with Agoda & paid ₱8,390.18 for 4 nights, breakfast & other add-ons not included. That’s ₱2,097.55 per night stay – expensive I know. I was there during a peak season weekend, thus higher nightly rates. There were relatively cheaper hostels in Amsterdam but I opted to pay more for better amenities & lower dormitory room configurations. To be honest, I think the rate I got is still cheap – hostels in Amsterdam & in Europe in general are expensive.

Guest Amenities & Perks

Generator Amsterdam has amenities & perks guests can enjoy or can pay for. Check out the list below:

Free Wi-fi – All guests have access to free & high-speed wi-fi connection. The password is given to all guests upon check-in.

Buffet Breakfast – Buffet breakfast is available for purchase in reception at €8,5 per day. Buffet breakfast rates are cheaper when you buy them upon check-in. If I remember it correctly, it was offered to me at €7,5. Buffet breakfast is available every day from 7:00 am to 10:00 am during weekdays & 11:00 am during weekends. The buffet breakfast area is in the canteen located in the basement level.

Clean Private Shower & Toilet – All rooms have private shower & toilet areas. Some rooms have separate toilet & shower rooms while others have just one. The staff clean these areas every day.

Amenities Store & Rental – The hostel has an in-house store & rentals facility. Towels are available for rent while other essentials such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo & conditioner are available for sale. Check with Genstore for the updated rates.

Ground Floor Café – Nescio Café is an à la carte breakfast place & café found in the ground floor, near the reception. This café also offers affordable breakfast deals for those who don’t want to eat in the buffet. It is open every day from 7:30 am to 12 midnight or 1 am.

Auditorium Bar / Chill-Out Area – The hostel converted this former lecture theater into a bar & chill-out area. The bar is open every day from 8:00 am to 12 midnight or 1 am. They also show movies here from time to time. The venue is also available for hire for private events.

Relaxation & Private Events Place – The building’s library was converted into a relaxation & private events place. Guests can go here to sit down, relax, read & play ping-pong. The venue is also available for hire.

Secret Late-Night Bar – The hostel converted the buildings boiler room into a secret late-night bar called Oosterbar. The bar is open every Friday & Saturday from 11:00 pm to 4:00 am & sometimes on special days.

Communal Lounge Areas – Aside from the chill-out area & library, Generator Amsterdam has other communal lounge areas in the basement, beside the canteen & outside the library. There is also an outdoor seating area where guests can rest while waiting for their ride.

24 Hour Reception – The hostel’s reception is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Welcoming & Helpful Staff – Generator Amsterdam’s staffs are very welcoming, friendly & helpful. They already make you feel at home during check-in. They also give tips on where to eat, what to do & what’s the best way to do this & that.

Late Check-Out Option – The hostel offers late check-out option for a fee. Guests who want to sleep more can stay in their rooms until 1:00 pm for €7 for dormitory rooms & €20 for private rooms.

ATM & Vending Machines – The hostel has an in-house ATM where you can take out cash when needed. There are also vending machines available in the basement level.

Paid Lockers – Luggage storage in Generator Amsterdam is not fee. Incoming & leaving guests can store bags & luggage in their paid lockers. Rates can go as low as €1, charged per hour & luggage size.

Laundry Facilities – Washing machines are available for use in the 1^st floor. Laundry rates are offered as low as €2. You can exchange coins in reception.

Travel & Tour Desk – Generator Amsterdam has a travel & tour desk where guests can avail day trips & buy tram passes. They also have a free (tip-based) walking tour that starts 10:10 am everyday near the reception area.

Bicycle, Scooter & Skateboard Rental – The hostel also offers bicycle (from €7,5), electronic scooter (from €15) & skateboard (from €7,5) rental. These can be availed from the reception.

Secured Room Entry – The elevator & rooms can also be accessed using the key card given during check in. These key cards only work on doors in your assigned floor & in your own room only.

experience

Generator Amsterdam was my first accommodation in Europe. I stayed there for 4 nights during my time in the Netherlands. The hostel didn’t disappoint. To be fair, it gave me an idea on what to expect on European hostels. It was different in some ways to the kind of hostels I’m used to here in the Philippines or in Asia in general; but it was all good.

It was not a cheap hostel to stay in – everything seems to come with a price tag. It may be cheap in Amsterdam standards but I still find it expensive for the basic amenities I got. The hostel’s location is a winner for me – it’s located in a very accessible quiet area outside the city center. Restaurants, bars & supermarkets are also near the hostel. I also like how it’s located beside Oosterpark. I already miss walking around that park every morning.

The hostel is generally clean & well-maintained. It has complete amenities – in-house café & restaurant, bar, communal areas, cash & vending machines & tour desk. The have everything you need as a visitor in Amsterdam. The breakfast buffet was lovely. I made a mistake of just buying 1 day of breakfast but it was all good. I enjoyed the kinds of bread available to choose from. They have egg, cheese, ham, yogurt & cereals in the spread. A variety of drinks were also included in the buffet. The €8,5 buffet rate was worth it.

The rooms are alright; it can get small when the guest pull-out lockers are out of the beds. The bathroom is clean & has enough space. Its lighting can be improved. The beds are comfortable to sleep in. The separate power outlet & USB port is something I liked & found very useful in the age of smartphones, tablets & laptops.

The hostel has very social vibe. I met a lot of new people from different parts of the world & had great times with them. The staff were all nice & helpful; they also gave tips on what’s best to see in the city. One thing I didn’t like is how busy the reception can be during peak hours. I waited in line for 20 minutes for check out; glad I was not in a hurry.

Overall, I had a nice stay in Generator Amsterdam. It’s definitely something you should check out when looking for a hostel in Amsterdam. Book early & choose the non-peak days to get lower rates. It’s not a cheap hostel but it’s all good in European standards.

Here’s Generator Amsterdam’s contact details just in case you want to get in touch with them:

Generator Amsterdam
Address: Mauritskade 57, 1092 AD Amsterdam, Netherlands
Number: +31 20 708 5600
E-mail Address: ask.amsterdam@staygenerator.com
Website: www.staygenerator.com/hostels/amsterdam
Facebook: www.facebook.com/staygenerator
Instagram: www.instagram.com/staygenerator
Twitter: www.twitter.com/askgenerator

Have you been to Generator Amsterdam? How about other Generator Hostels? How was your stay? Was it the same with my experience above? What did you like about the hostel you stayed in? Share your experiences in the comments section below.

Do you know a hostel which is worth a feature here in my site? Shoot your suggestions via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Don’t forget to follow me & please please please also help me in promoting my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Thank you for joining me in today’s hostel of the day feature. Join me as I move to another country in my Going Solo In Europe series. Watch out for that new post soon!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Going Solo In Europe: AMSTERDAM – Beautiful Canals, Colorful Houses & Interesting Museums In A Bustling City

The long wait is over! It’s here; it’s time to start my Going Solo in Europe Blog Series! I know most of you are waiting for these blog posts. You guys want to know where I went, what I did in the countries I visited & how I managed to survive this trip by myself. I have a lot of stuff to share; how I wish I can everything done in no time. Please bear with me as I try to write & post one blog after another in between my busy work schedules. Now, let’s get this thing started.

Finally made it to Europe last year!! Started my 19-day Euro trip in Amsterdam in Netherlands! 🇳🇱

Last October-November 2019, I went on 2.5-week trip to Europe all by myself. It was my first time in Europe; first time to be far away from home for so long. I did everything from scratch – booked my own tickets & hostel accommodations, applied for a Schengen tourist visa, researched my route & planned the cities / countries I wanted to visit. It was hard at first but the excitement for the trip helped out carve a rough plan for this 19-day trip to Europe.

PS. I shared a few details about this trip in my 2019 Year In Review post. Check out this post if you are eager to know more about the route I took.

This solo trip of a lifetime started with a return ticket I booked with Singapore Airlines in January 2019. The ticket cost me roughly $720 & it included flights to Amsterdam, Netherlands & back from Copenhagen, Denmark. It was the cheapest ticket & route during that promotion. I read articles & forum posts in the past advising that the Netherlands Embassy is the easiest embassy to obtain a Schengen Visa – thus explains why I got a ticket arriving in Amsterdam. Months of planning passed & about 1.5 months into the trip, I got my tourist visa from VFS Netherlands. Click this link to know how I applied for a visa all by myself, without the help of any tour agency.

In the past posts, I shared with you how my flights went from Manila to Singapore & Singapore to Amsterdam aboard one of the world’s best airlines, Singapore Airlines. Make sure to check out those posts to know how is it flying with such well-regarded airline. After flying 3 hours to Singapore, having 12 hours layover around Singapore & flying another 13 hours to Amsterdam, I finally made it to Europe! Today’s blog will talk about my first destination in Europe – Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. This populous city is known for its beautiful canals & it’s unique houses. The city’s history dated back in the 12^th century when this reclaimed fishing village around a dam in the Amstel River started to become an important port in the country’s economy. It then developed into one of Europe’s financial & trade center to which it is still like that today. Fun fact: The Amsterdam Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in the world. This also explains the city’s big role in the history of European financial market. The city is also the center of Dutch cultural heritage.

going around amsterdam

Amsterdam’s public transportation system is simple & efficient. There are a number of options available to visitors – trams, trains, buses, ferries, taxis & even bicycles. Majority of the tourist destinations can be reached by riding the tram. There are various ticketing options for these transportation systems depending on the length of validity of the ticket. I tried GVB’s 1-day / 24-hour ticket for €8. This allowed me to have unlimited rides in GVB-operated buses, trams, trains & ferries around Amsterdam. The unlimited pass was not worth it in my opinion.

The Netherlands is a bicycle-friendly country. All roads have bicycle lanes, even up to the smallest roads in the countryside. Dutch people use bicycles in their everyday lives. I caught up with my friend Tobias, whom I met in Kawaguchiko, Japan last November 2017. He brought his bicycle & he asked me to try it & cycle around the city. It was a surreal experience but it was very cold. I never thought I would cycle around Amsterdam!

Caught up with my buddy Tobias who’s based in Amsterdam. We met in Japan in November 2017.

Amsterdam Schipol Airport (AMS), Netherlands’ main international airport is located 17 kilometers away from the city. Trains & shuttle buses connect the airport to the city. I took the intercity train from Amsterdam Schipol Airport Station to Amsterdam Centraal Station for about €7 one-way. The journey took about 20 minutes.

The best way to go around Amsterdam is by foot. I walked to & from my hostel everyday & around the city for the most part. Walking around the whole day was tiring; glad the cold weather made up for it. Walking also saved me some money; it was also a good exercise while on holiday.

free walking tour

One cool thing about travelling around Europe is the presence of free walking tours. These tours run on a tip-based system. The tour guests or joiners walk around the city with a guide through a personalized route (made by the guide) & get more information about the city’s history & culture. At the end of each tour, the joiners give tips to the guide as a ‘fee’ for the tour. The guides receive any amount of tip in these kinds of tours.

There are a number of walking tour companies that run in Amsterdam. I joined SANDEMANs NEW Europe’s Amsterdam walking tour with Karl. He guided us around the city, told stories of how Amsterdam & the Netherlands started & gave recommendations on what else to do & where else to go. Karl’s tour ran for about 3 hours with a 15-minute break in between.

These walking tours run every day. They offer tours in English & Spanish languages. Schedules & bookings are available in Sandemans website. Believe it or not, I had so much fun in this walking tour up to the point where I joined SANDEMANs NEW Europe’s walking tours in Brussels, Prague & Copenhagen. The walking is the best way to know a certain city in Europe.

amsterdam sightseeing

I stayed in Amsterdam & around Netherlands for 5 days. I wanted to go around the country at my pace, visit the countryside & explore more of what the city has to offer apart from all the canals. Believe it or not, I didn’t get the chance to visit all possible spots in those 5 days, I wish I stayed more. I’ve been to a lot of places in those 5 days, check out these places below.

Amsterdam Canals

People go to Amsterdam to see the canals. The city has about 165 canals which makes about 100 kilometers long when combined. The Amsterdam Canal Ring, which comprises most of the canals in the city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized in 2010. The beautiful old & crooked houses add up to the majestic views – from the hundreds to bridges over the canals.

Damrak

Damrak is the main street that connects Amsterdam Centraal, the city’s main train station, & Dam Square, the city’s town square. This is the “main street” to the center of Amsterdam. This 750-meter street has old buildings, shops, hotels & restaurants.

Dam Square

Dam Square is Amsterdam’s town square. It is the place where the free walking tours start. It is also where the Dutch war memorial dedicated to the fallen Dutch World War II solders is located.

Koninklijk Paleis van Amsterdam

Opposite the Dam Square is Koninklijk Paleis van Amsterdam, commonly known as the Royal Palace Amsterdam. This palace is the king’s official reception palace. The palace is open to visitors on normal days. Tickets cost €8 per person.

Amsterdam Centraal

Amsterdam Centraal is Amsterdam’s biggest & main station. The station has trains that can take you around the Netherlands & even to other countries like France, Belgium, Germany & Switzerland.

Van Gogh Museum

Van Gogh Museum is an art museum dedicated to the works of world-famous Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh. The museum showcases hundreds of paintings made by Vincent Van Gogh during his time. It also has galleries that feature his modern counterparts & modern exhibition spaces. The museum is located in Museum Square in Amsterdam South. Tickets cost €19 & are available for purchase online.

Museumplein

Museumplein or Museum Square is a public square in Amsterdam Zuid (or Amsterdam South). It is where the city’s famous museums such as Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, MOCO Museum & Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam are located.

Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum is the Dutch national museum dedicated to the country’s arts & history. It showcases the country’s history, art & development from the middle ages to the 21^st century. Museum tickets cost €19 & can be bought online before the visit.

Vondelpark

Vondelpark is Amsterdam’s most famous park, located near Museumplein at the south of the city. This park is a popular recreation place for the locals. The park becomes a venue for shows, events & concerts during summer.

Anne Frank House

Anne Frank House is a house & biographical museum dedicated to Anne Frank, a Jewish wartime writer / diarist. Located at Prinsengracht 263, this house is the exact house where Anne & her family lived during the World War II. Anne Frank became famous on the publication of her diary; the diary that documents their life while hiding for more than 2 years during the World War II. Her translated diary, The Diary of a Young Girl, sold millions of copies worldwide.

They sell majority of the tickets online at least 2 months before the date. They also sell limited tickets at the museum doors on the day itself. Tickets get booked fast so make sure to plan out your visit. Tickets are at €10.50 including a booking fee of €0.50.

KINboat Open-Air Canal Boat Tour

Right outside the Anne Frank House is the boarding station of KINboat’s Open Air Canal Boat Tour. This 1-hour open boat canal tour took me around the Amsterdam canals for an hour. Our boat driver / tour guide showed us some interesting houses & important buildings around the city; also gave us some details of the city’s history & culture. We used an electric & environment-friendly open-air boat for the tour; which explains why the tour costs a few more euros than the usual canal boat tour.

I bought the open-air boat ticket about 15 minutes before the tour itself. Tickets cost €16 per person & are available online.

Basiliek van de Heilige Nicolaas

Basiliek van de Heilige Nicolaas or Basilica of Saint Nicholas is Amsterdam’s main catholic church. Located in the old district, just a few steps outside Amsterdam Centraal, this basilica is a popular tourist attraction to Catholics visiting Amsterdam. The church was built over 130 years ago & still sports the neo-baroque & neo-renaissance style of architecture. Entry to the church is free of charge.

Oosterpark

Oosterpark is the public park located behind the hostel where I stayed with. The massive park has a big pond with birds & different animals. People go here for recreation & relaxation in the morning until late afternoon.

Heineken Experience

One of the famous contributions of Netherlands to the modern world is Heineken Lager Beer. The beer originated in Amsterdam in the 1870s & was made through the efforts of Gerard Heineken. The lager beer has captured the attention of Europe, won several awards & continued its expansion until it became a global brand.

Heineken’s first ever brewery was transformed into an interactive museum called Heineken Experience. This guided tour showcased how the beer started brewing in the past, how it was produced & how it conquered the world. This interactive tour takes about 1.5 to 2 hours & includes 2 glasses of beer. Tours can pre-booked online. I got my ticket about an hour before the tour & it cost me €18.

Red-Light District

De Wallen is Amsterdam’s famous red-light district. This area is composed of hundreds of places offering legal sexual services. The alleys are characterized by transparent glass windows with ladies (legal prostitutes) seating or standing behind under a red light. The area also has cafes & coffee shops selling cannabis & all other stuff you can think of.

Leidseplein

Leidseplein or Leiden Square is a small entertainment square located at the northern tip of Vondelpark. This square has cafes, bars, restaurants, music venues & dance clubs where tourists primarily go to at night. I came to this place & met up with my buddy, Tobias whom I met in Japan in 2017.

Rembrandtplein

Rembrandtplein or Rembrandt Square is another entertainment square found in Amsterdam. Named after Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn, this square used to be a butter & dairy market where local farmers go to & sell their products. Nowadays, this area is known as one of the city’s nightlife spots. The square now has many cafes, bars & restaurants around it. It is also one of the famous areas for hotels in the city.

missed places

I was in Amsterdam for 5 days & I didn’t have the time to go all places. I also went one afternoon to Utrecht & a day up north to the countryside. I missed a few places which I will definitely put on my list when I go back. These places include A’Dam Lookout, MOCO Museum (I missed the Banksy special gallery during my stay), Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, NEMO Science Museum, Jordaan & Bloemenmarkt (which I heard was super touristy – need to see it still).

People usually go to Amsterdam for just 1-2 days but I think there’s more to see than just the Dam Square, the Amsterdam Canals & the museums. The city may be too busy, too full of tourists but it has an unexplained impact that would make you think of visiting over & over again. It’s been months since I’ve been to Amsterdam & I am dying to go back. I want to just walk around the city, enjoy the beautiful views from the canals, savor the sights of colorful crooked houses & learn more about the city through the other museums. Amsterdam is & will be always be special. It was my first city to visit in Europe & will always be one of my favorites.

Have you been to Amsterdam in the past? What are your favorite places or sightings in the city? Do you also have that feeling of wanting to go back to the city in the future? If you haven’t been to Amsterdam, is it one of the places where you want to go? Let’s engage into a discussion. Share your thoughts & experiences in the comment section below. Do you have any questions about Amsterdam? Feel free to send the questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Don’t forget to follow me & please please please also help me in promoting my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Thanks for joining me in Amsterdam, the first installment of my Going Solo In Europe Series. Watch out for the photo blog about the beautiful Utrecht!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Flight Report: SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 324 – Singapore to Amsterdam – My First Ever 13-Hour Flight That Didn't Feel Like One

Hello & happy new year! Let’s open the year with a new flight report. I mentioned in my 2019 review post that I flew to Europe with Singapore Airlines. My previous flight report covered the Manila to Singapore leg on the new generation Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner. Today I will cover my onward flight to Amsterdam. Allow me to share with you details of my first ever 13-hour flight which didn’t feel like one.

singapore airlines

As mentioned in my earlier SQ flight report, Singapore Airlines is the national carrier of Singapore. This 5-star airline flies to over 60 destinations in more than 30 countries across 5 continents. They are one of the leading carriers in the Southeast Asian Region with the help of their subsidiaries – Silk Air (which operates to some regional destinations) & Scoot (which operates on a low-cost business model). The airline flies both Airbus & Boeing jets & boasts a young fleet of new generation aircraft.

Singapore Airlines is a full-service carrier which offers complimentary baggage allowance, in-flight meal & entertainment in all of its flights. It has a loyalty program called KrisFlyer & is a member of the Star Alliance.

fare

I mentioned in my SQ 915 flight report that I booked this multi-city ticket from Manila to Europe for $719.23 or ₱37,669.40 as charged by my credit card. This economy ticket includes flights from Manila to Singapore, Singapore to Amsterdam, Copenhagen to Singapore & back to Manila from Singapore. All legs include 30 kilograms check in baggage, in-flight meals & entertainment. I know you can get ticket for as low as $500 return or even cheaper in a low-cost airline but I can say that the ‘upgrade’ to Singapore Airlines was worth it.

flight & aircraft information

Singapore Airlines used an Airbus A350-900 for this 13-hour flight from Singapore to Amsterdam. This new generation aircraft has 253 seats in 3 classes – 42 in Business Class, 24 in Premium Economy & 187 in Economy. Business class seats are in 1-2-1 configuration. All passengers have lie-flat beds & direct access to the aisle. The premium economy class is at 2-4-2 configuration with wider seats & leg-room & a generous recline. Economy class is configured into 3-3-3 seating arrangement with generous seat pitch & a decent recline.

This flight to Amsterdam was operated by a 4-month-old A350 with aircraft registration 9V-SMV. The flight took 12 hours & 54 minutes & traveled 10,939 kilometers. We left Singapore a few minutes after the scheduled departure time & arrived in Amsterdam around 7:40 in the morning. The flight was full (with only 2 economy seats vacant in the cabin) but it was great. I didn’t experience any turbulence or any trouble.

Check In, Baggage & Boarding

Beautiful & classy Changi Airport Terminal 3!! This area is found after Singapore immigration.

Singapore Airlines’ flights to Europe (as far as I know) all depart from Changi Airport Terminal 3. The airline divided the Terminal 3 check-in counters according to classes & groups. They have designated check in counters / areas for first class & business class passengers. Premium economy passengers & KrisFlyer status holders also have designated check in counters. Economy passengers & those who checked in online also have a separate queue. The check in counters in Terminal 3 have no lines & are generally quiet. I already got my Singapore to Amsterdam boarding pass when I checked in at Manila station so there was no need to go through check in process again.

All Singapore Airlines economy passengers are given 30 kilograms of check in baggage allowance. This is already included in the paid fare. I was on a connecting flight so I already dropped by baggage in Manila. There was no need to check in my luggage on this flight to Amsterdam. I left my luggage in Manila & collected it in Amsterdam upon arrival.

This Airbus A350-900 flight to Amsterdam had about 200+ passengers. In order to maintain order in boarding, the staff boarded the passengers by group. Business class passengers, Star Alliance & KrisFlyer status holders boarded the aircraft first. Premium economy passengers came next. Economy class passengers also boarded by groups. Passengers seated at the rear part boarded first & those in the forward economy seats boarded last. I was assigned in the forward economy section so I was one of the those who boarded the aircraft last. Boarding process didn’t take long; the next thing I knew cabin doors were already closed.

Seat Amenities, In-flight Meals & Entertainment

Economy class seats on Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A350-900 have a seat pitch of 32 inches & seat width of around 18 inches. Each seat is already provided a plush pillow & a nice brown blanket. It also comes with an adjustable headrest which makes sleeping more convenient than ever. The leg room is not as generous as those in premium economy but it was great for a 13-hour flight. The seats also come with new-generation personal entertainment screen, a foldable tray table with mirror, a seat pocket (with in-flight literature), a coat hook, small storage space below the screen, a foldable cup holder, a USB charging outlet & a universal power outlet. The aircraft is Wi-Fi enabled but I didn’t bother checking the rates.

LOOK! Generous leg room in this Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 aircraft to Amsterdam. 🙂

Economy class passengers can also ask for a simple amenity kit from the crew. The kit includes a toothbrush & toothpaste, a pair of socks, eye shades, ear plugs & a comb. Passengers can ask for these amenities piece by piece. Seat comfort was great; seat recline was generous. I normally don’t sleep on flights but I had a nice long sleep in this flight. It didn’t feel like I was seating that long!

This 13-hour flight had 2 main meals & unlimited rounds of snacks in between. The crew distributed in-flight menu to all passengers after boarding. The menu includes the 2-3 food options for each main serving, the list of drinks & snacks available. It came in English & Dutch languages. The crew distributed hot towels to all passengers before they rolled out the food.

SQ 324’s first meal service – oriental chicken rice with tuna macaroni salad, bread roll & drinks. 🙂

One of my favorite parts of this flight – SATS double chocolate ice cream. Perfect post-meal treat!

I chose the chicken rice for supper & vermicelli noodles for breakfast. All meals came with side fruits / vegetables, bread roll with butter & drinks of choice (either coffee, tea, fruit juice, beer, white or red wine). The supper came with ice cream for dessert while the breakfast had a large cup of yogurt. The meals were tasty; the servings were just right to make me full & fall asleep for a few hours. What I really liked is the use of metal cutlery in all meals. However, they also use plastic cups for all drinks & a lot of plastic in the meal service.

Breakfast served to us before landing in Amsterdam Schipol International Airport. YUM SO GOOD!

The crew rolled out snacks about 5-6 hours into the flight. Passengers can request snacks at any time of the flight. The rear galley was also stuffed with food by the crew. Passengers can go there & get any snack they want.

KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines’ entertainment system, offered hundreds of local & international movies & television series to watch on-board. It also comes with podcast choices & hundreds of songs & albums to choose from. Each seat comes with a touch screen portal & a pair of not-so-great quality earphones. The entertainment system was alright – probably not the best in the market – but it has enough content to make you busy in a 13-hour flight.

lavatory

I only used the lavatory at the back of the forward economy section & I can say the crew did a fantastic job in maintaining the cleanliness & orderliness of this lavatory. It was also nice to see dental sets, mouthwash & a moisturizer available for the passengers. Tissue supply was not an issue in this flight. Kudos to the crew who maintained the lavatories on this flight.

crew service

Apart from the impressive & new-generation economy class product, Singapore Airlines is also known for their warm Singaporean hospitality. The crew on this flight is not an exception; they provided the passengers of this flight an excellent service. The head of the economy cabin welcomed us to the aircraft with his best smile, he helped out the passengers in putting the luggage & bags in the overhead cabin & he even checked on us before the settled for take-off.

The rest of the crew was pleasant to deal with. I requested for their signature Singapore sling drink & minutes after, I was given the drink plus chips & nuts as snack. The crew also did several rounds offering fruits, sandwiches, chocolates & chips to passengers who are awake. They also made sure that everyone’s hydrated by serving water almost every hour. Service was lovely. I sensed that the crew on this flight really wanted to give the passengers the best in-flight experience. Happy to say they did. It was a lovely 13-hour flight!

verdict

What can I say – it was an exceptional flight with Singapore Airlines! Considering this was my first ever extra long haul flight & it was with SQ, I boarded the aircraft with reasonably high expectations. Believe it or not, I was happy & satisfied passenger! It was a 13-hour flight but to be honest, it didn’t feel that long.

Massive pre-departure area in Changi Airport Terminal 3 – with charging stations & comfy seats.

The flight departed from the gorgeous Changi Airport Terminal 3. The waiting areas were massive; there were several charging stations. Immigration & security check didn’t last long considering I was in the terminal during peak hours. Boarding process was fast & efficient.

Now into the flight. Seat comfort was amazing. The amenities provided complimented each other – pillow was soft, blankets were thin but warm & headrest was a comfortable to sleep in. The amenity kit was a bonus – not all airlines provide an option for an amenity kit in economy class. Personal entertainment system was modern but the content was just alright. I watched about 2 movies before I fell asleep. The earphones were a bit of a letdown – they were not that comfortable to wear. The lavatories were well-maintained throughout the flight.

Here is SQ’s signature Singapore Sling with chips & crackers. Lovely snack in between flight meals!

The in-flight meals were tasty; its serving sizes were just right. I enjoyed every part of the meal plus the ice cream after supper. The Singapore sling was worth the try again & again. It was nice to see the galley full of snacks. I was asleep during the first snack service – I asked for snacks as soon as I woke up. I only asked for a drink & I was given chips & crackers too.

Look at the amount of food available in the galley! Passengers can get anything they want here.

The highlight of the flight was the cabin crew service. I felt the genuine & warm Singaporean hospitality during the flight. The crew was magnificent, all smiles & always ready to help. They made sure all passengers are stuffed with food & drinks & had a pleasant flight with Singapore Airlines. Service was exceptional!

Is Singapore Airlines something I will recommend to everyone? Definitely. Was it worth the ‘upgrade’ from cheaper flights? Of course. To be honest, I think I actually got more than what I paid for. I suggest that you try flying with Singapore Airlines; you’ll know the reason why.

As expected, Singapore Airlines again delivered another excellent flight from Singapore to Amsterdam. Thank you for the wonderful flight experience in this 13-hour journey.

Attention avgeeks! If in any case you want to know the specifics of this flight & the aircraft used, check out the details below:

Airline: Singapore Airlines
Flight Date: 23 October 2019
Flight Number: SQ 324
Route: Singapore (SIN) to Amsterdam (AMS)
Duration: 12:54 hours
Seat Number: 42C
Aircraft: Airbus A350-941
Aircraft Registration: 9V-SMV
Aircraft Engine: 2 x Rolls-Royce Trent XWB
Age: 0.5 years old
Year Delivered: 2019

Have you tried flying with Singapore Airlines in their long haul routes? How was your experience? Did you like the in-flight meals & cabin crew service? What was the highlight of your flight? Share your comments & experiences below. I’d love to hear from all of you. Do you have any comment or suggestion on how I can improve the posts & content in this blog / website? Feel free to send them in via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Don’t forget to turn your notifications on for my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Thank you for joining me in this flight report. I hope to see you again in the next one.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.