The 24 hours in Amsterdam is this time totally overrated as I barely had half a day of free time to explore Amsterdam as I went to Amsterdam for the European Brand Launch of BESV, a Taiwanese-based manufacturer of e-bikes. Check out my Article about by bicycle ride with the BESV PS1 in Amsterdam.

24h in Amsterdam – 18th to 19th May 2015

Flight with KLM from Zurich to Amsterdam Schipol (KL1954)

My Trip to Amsterdam started with an early morning flight from Zurich (ZRH) to Amsterdam Schipol (AMS). I’ll share more details on both my Flights with KLM in Economy Class in a separate Article.

BESV European Brand Launch Event

After the successful world debut of BESV in March the European Launch followed in Amsterdam. What other European city would be better for an e-bike launch? Right, there is none better than the capital of the Netherlands. The Event started for me with a Press Get-Together, followed by waiting at the Venue, a Horse Riding School, and the Launch Ceremony. They celebrated, with special guests and a TV celebrity, the market launch in Europe, so their bikes are now here available as well. In the end, I had the opportunity to do a test drive by myself with the BESV PS1 in rainy Amsterdam. Without a map, I cruised around the City and gained some experience.

Walking through Vondelpark in Amsterdam

When the brand launch was over I had some free to explore Amsterdam. From the Venue it was just a few minutes’ walk until I reached one of the biggest parks, Vondelpark in Amsterdam.

Dinner at Eazie in Amsterdam

Walking along the River, admiring the houses and while dozens of bicycles passed by I ended up at Eazie in Amsterdam. You can enjoy healthy Asian food there, and even mix your dish with your own favourite ingredients like veggies, scrambled eggs etc. I really loved it and for sure I’ll be back at Eazie in Amsterdam. Then, I took the long way back to my Hotel.

One night at Hampshire Hotel in the Theatre District Amsterdam

The Hampshire Hotel, where I got to stay for one night during my 24 hours in Amsterdam, is located in the Theatre District of Amsterdam. In even a short walking distance you find the Vondelpark or the Museumkwartier with the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and many more. From the outside, the Hampshire Hotel has a typical Dutch architecture and right after entering the 3-star hotel, you are welcomed by the staff. The check-in was fast and within minutes I stood in my room. This single room is not very huge but equipped with a TV and an own bathroom with a shower.
The complimentary breakfast the other day offered an easy but satisfactory range of cornflakes, bread, cheese and ham, fruits, juices and a coffee machine.
For my half day exploring the City, I deposited my luggage at the hotel and started exploring the City right one step out of the Hotel.

The Day first started with a grey sky, but soon turned into a heavy rain shower. So I skipped my “walking to the train station”-plan and ran to the next Tram House and jumped on the next Tram driving to Amsterdam Centraal. Find more about getting around Amsterdam in my Public Transport Guide that I’ll publish soon.

Zaandam

What’s on my Do List for further Trips to Amsterdam is to finally visit all the Museums at the Museumplein, like the Van Gogh Museum, visit the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam, visit the House of Bols and eat the most authentic Pancakes of Amsterdam Upstairs Pannenkoeken.

Flight with KLM from Amsterdam (AMS) to Zurich (ZRH) ( KL1961)

The afternoon flight was, as I’m used to from KLM, very pleasant and I so can’t wait to fly back to Amsterdam!