Citizen Kate*

Once I get overwhelmed by the urge for adventure, I'm unstoppable. So when B* suggested to celebrate my second birthday weekend on a secret unknown destination, I didn't need much pursuasion*

Some would call it a challenge, 2 city trips in a row.. For me it was a new and improved way of travelling and celebrating my birthday* Yeah, an other excuse, an other celebration. From London to Amsterdam..Where London was a weekend of Fashion and Party, Amsterdam became a weekend of Design. B* and I are all about Design..and no better place to stay in than a design hotel right? Honestly, I don't think there could have been a better place to stay at than Citizen M Amsterdam Seriously!! This hotel is the Best!! It was soooo cool!! The whole concept was so trendy and ultimate design!! According to Tripadvisor I'm not the only one who thinks so, as 15 million travellers voted it to be The Most Trendy Hotel in The World of 2009!! 

The rooms are small, but functional as they have a kingsize bed, flatscreen and a rainshower. The whole room works on domotica, you can choose any mood lighting thanks to the colored LED's, up to the wake up alarm with jungle sounds*

A lovely location, a lovely hotel, the only thing we needed was our 100%design guide to guide us through Amsterdam. We walked from South Amsterdam to the Historic City Centre towards the Eastern Docklands OHG and Ijoevers with it's modern architecture and finished with a lovely lunch experience @Fifteen in Pakhuis Amsterdam. The restaurant is based on the same concept like Jamie Oliver's Fifteen in London. Definately worth a visit, together with Pakhuis Amsterdam for several cultural events.

After an up speed rythme in the morning, and because I didn't wear the most comfortable walking shoes* we spent our late afternoon slow down rythme around the Jordaan, with some nice shops like Papabubble. I'm not out for the obvious places as you can see, I prefer the hidden treasures, but as this was my first visit to Amsterdam I did have a first late afternoon acquaintance with departement store de Bijenkorf and they have got some nice Caramel Latte Macchiato. 


Sunday started with a late Pancake breakfast @Pancakes What's in a Name* Enough day-drink-stop-overs during a adventure walk in "het vondelpark" and ended on our train back to Antwerp to finish the evening with the perfect friendly birthday dinner @El Medi, a new mediterranean tapas restaurant in Antwerp.

For once, I left everything up to Bertology*, so my advice is limited. But I have photographic memory and we saw the largest part of Amsterdam so this will get you started..


After 2 AMAZING city trips, 3 official birthday dinners, one in London with some of my international friends, one in Antwerp with my home friends and the official last one *this year that is* today in Lier, my birthtown with my birthparents* I guess I can kiss both hands for such a Special Birthday. And Yeah, It's official: I have aged a day*