*...this year-end trip, set against the warmth and lights of the Christmas season, filled my heart with stunning views and unforgettable stories — but also brought moments of quiet loneliness, traveling solo in a time made for friends, family, and lovers...*

**When:** December 2024

**Travel Theme:** Year-end Luxury, Cold Nights

**Visa:** Yes, Schengen Visa

**Budget Spent:** 280-300K

**Itineraries**

**Netherlands: Zaan Hotel Amsterdam**

* Day 0 to Day 1: Manila - Amsterdam (Flight)
   * Arrived really early (8 AM)
   * [GuruWalk Free Walking Tour (Amsterdam)](https://www.guruwalk.com/walks/46982-amsterdam-original-the-best-all-in-one-walking-tour)
      * Chinatown, Red Light District, Nieuwmarkt, Royal Palace, University of Amsterdam, etc.
   * Random Walk around Amsterdam
   * *Hotel Review:* Quiet, outside Amsterdam city center and nearer the windmills, accommodating and spacious rooms. You are within Zaanse Schans and you can see the colorful houses from the windows
* Day 2: Zaanse Schans
   * Visited **Zaanse Schans Windmills** — very few people, but it was stormy when I arrived, with constant light to moderate drizzles (actually, that was the case for most of my AMS stay). Super windy and cold.
      * The shop here is *really* good — same prices as Amsterdam, but way better selection. Wish I bought my figurines here instead.
      * Entrance is free, but some museums and shops charge a fee. Honestly, I don’t think the paid ones are worth it. Just walk around and enjoy the view.
   * Walk around Amsterdam
   * Anne Frank House
      * This one’s divisive, but I personally liked it. I enjoy learning while I travel. There's an optional short *presentation* (for a few extra euros) before entering — like a classroom session where a historian walks you through Anne Frank’s story. It’s essentially what you’ll read/hear throughout the museum, but with context and a chance to ask questions. I’d recommend the add-on if you like history and learning through storytelling. You *must* book online in advance — it sells out quickly. Note: the house is very small, so wear layers and don’t bring large bags.
* Day 3: Amsterdam Central
   * Rijksmuseum
      * Part of a museum complex (Van Gogh Museum is also nearby). I'm not the most artsy person, but I still enjoyed it. Huge collection — give it at least 2–3 hours. You *can* walk in, but better to book online. Rembrandt’s famous pieces are here too.
   * Walk around and eat
      * **Fabel Friet:** Famous for their fries. Long lines, but pretty good! Just watch out for seagulls — they *will* try to steal your fries
   * [Light Festival Boat Tour](https://www.thosedamboatguys.com/hop-on/) by ThoseDamBoatGuys
      * The light festival along the canals is fine but your photos are basically just dark. The boat has a transparent cover to protect from the wind, which also messes with your shots. If you're after *photos and scenery*, go during the day. If you want the *light experience*, go at night — it looks better from the water anyway.
* Day 4: The Hague / Leiden
   * About an hour from Amsterdam (\~€15 train ticket).
   * Spent the morning walking around **The Hague** — many places were closed (it was a Monday), but I liked the chill vibe and smaller crowds.
   * **Must-try:** *Kibbeling* (fried cod) — really good street food!
   * Headed to **Leiden** around 2PM for another **Airbnb travel photoshoot** (something I always do when I travel).
   * **Leiden** is beautiful — like a mini Amsterdam but quieter. Feels colder though, probably because there are fewer buildings blocking the wind.
   * **Leiden Castle** has great views! You could easily spend a full day just exploring the town.
   * Ended the day at the **Royal Christmas Fair** in The Hague.

**Belgium: LaTroupe Grand Place Hostel (hostel in Brussels)**

* Day 5: Amsterdam to Brussels via FlixBus
   * Flixbus is way cheaper! But I had an **incident** here that I will share later...
   * Walk around Brussels + Main Market Square (Grote Markt)
   * Manneken Pis (Pissing Statue)
   * **Hostel Review:** amazing hostel with some activities at night like karaoke nights or trivia nights to meet people. it is right in the middle of the busy center of Brussels too but is not too crowded.
* Day 6: Bruges
   * [Guruwalk Free Walking Tour](https://www.guruwalk.com/walks/55568-hidden-gems-the-most-beautiful-places-and-the-captivating-history-of-bruges) (11AM)
      * Goes on most of the main attraction in Bruges and one of the best guides in Guruwalk
   * Basilica of the Holy Blood
   * **Recommended Restaurant:** Cafe Vlissinghe -- oldest cafe in Bruges, warm ambience and great food!
   * [De Halve Maan Brewery Tour](https://reservations.halvemaan.be/)
   * Christmas Market -- one of the best markets
* Day 7: ~~Ghent~~ Brussels
   * Was supposed to visit Ghent, but train ticket prices were high and the weather was *insanely* cold — ended up staying in Brussels instead.
   * Airbnb Travel Photo Shoot
   * Carillon of the Mont des Arts, Mont des Arts
   * Royal Palace, Church of Our Lady of Victories at the Sablon, Christmas Market
   * **Recommendation for Chocolates:** *Elisabeth* – recommended by two locals, and it did not disappoint

**Cologne - Germany:** ***Jugendherberge Koln-Deutz (hostel)***

* Day 8: Brussels to Cologne via Deustche Bahn (train)
   * [Free Walking Tour Cologne](https://freewalkcologne.com/tours/free-walking-tours-koeln/)
      * **Cologne Cathedral (exterior):** Absolutely majestic. But easily the coldest spot on the whole trip — the wind around the cathedral was brutal.
   * **Cathedral Christmas Market:** Easily the best and liveliest Christmas market I visited.
   * **Hostel Review:** the weirdest ***hostel*** I have been too. 
      * Booked it last-minute and walked into what felt like a boarding school dorm — full of 8–12-year-olds running around until 10 PM
      * You put the beddings and sheets yourself and none of my roommates (thankfully adults) stay for more than a day. They do have a coin laundry! 
      * Cheapest stay so I cannot complain
* Day 9: Rest / Chill Day
   * **KölnTriangle:** Paid observatory right next to my hostel. Great panoramic view (check photo!).
   * **Cologne Chocolate Museum:** Long queues, but worth it. You get unlimited wafers dipped in chocolate from the fountain. (Book online to skip the lines.)
   * **Rhine River Promenade:** Peaceful walk by the river.
* Day 10: Dusseldorf
   * Explored the city: **Schadowplatz**, **Ständehaus**, **Rhine Promenade**, **Königsallee**, **Hofgarten**, etc.
   * **Little Tokyo:** Perfect spot if you’re tired of European food — got my Asian fix here lol
   * Checked out their **Christmas Market** too.

**Berlin - Germany:** ***DoubleTree by Hilton Berlin***

* Day 11: Train from Cologne to Germany (\~5 hours)
   * Arrival at 12 noon
   * [Rude Bastards Tour of Berlin](https://www.getyourguide.com/berlin-l17/rude-bastards-tour-of-berlin-cyhit-t529039/) \-- really fun tour with a little bit of twist! Lots of WWII stories and places to go
      * Potsdamer Platz, Tiergarten, Reichstag, Jewish Memorial, Berlin Wall, etc.
* Day 12: Walk around Berlin
   * Airbnb Travel Photoshoot
   * [Tour M Under Berlin Wall](https://tickets.berliner-unterwelten.de/#/events/15?date=2024-11-17)
   * [Berlin: Laughing Spree Comedy Show on a Boat](https://www.getyourguide.com/berlin-l17/berlin-laughing-spree-comedy-show-on-a-boat-t438563?ranking_uuid=c6884e9a-e311-4986-88c9-1f5686ac2ca7&_pc=1%2C1) \-- yes, I attended a standup comedy show!
   * **Restaurant Recommendation:** Restaurant Berlinchen
* Day 13: Berlin
   * [Dogs Go Green Tour](https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/342814) **--** you went into Jungfernheide forest a little outside Berlin city center to walk dogs, play with them, etc. with a dog-walker. As a dog person, it was so enjoyable!
   * Museum Island
      * Lots of different museums here in this complex but I went with Old National Gallery as it has more historic contents. You need more than 2 hours to enjoy it. All museums in the Museum Island should be explored for the whole day
   * Berlin Cathedral

**Prague, Czechia:** ***Green Garden Hotel***

* Day 14: Berlin to Prague by train (4-5 hours)
   * [Free Walking Tour Prague](https://freewalkingtourprague.eu/tours/free/prague-old-town) (2PM)
      * Great tour that goes into a lot of places in Prague but stops right before the Charles Bridge. They have a 2nd part of the tour (a different tour that explores Charles Bridge + Prague Castle)
   * Walk around Charles Bridge
   * **Hotel Review:** Amazing hotel with amazing breakfast -- outside the touristy area but easy to reach with 1-2 short trams
* Day 15: Prague
   * [Prague Castle and Charles Bridge Free Walking Tour](https://freewalkingtourprague.eu/tours/free/prague-castle-and-charles-bridge)
   * Walk around Prague / Souvenir Shopping
   * **Restaurant Recommendation: U Pečeného Kolena --** amazing pork knuckle with large servings
* Day 16: Prague
   * [World War II Tour](https://www.guruwalk.com/walks/36887-free-ww2-communism-tour) (Free WWII & Communism Tour)
   * Classical Christmas Concert at St Salvatore Church
* Day 17: Prague to Manila

**Lowlights**

* **FlixBus nightmare (Amsterdam → Brussels):** Left my big backpack (with laptop, etc.) on the bus. Realized it two stops from the hostel. Ran back to the terminal and found the same bus, but the driver shut the door in my face and drove off. Signed a lost & found form. On my way back, I saw the *same* FlixBus parked across the street! I asked about my bag, and he muttered, “What’s in it for me?” I gave him €50 (my only cash) just to end the drama.
* **Really cold!** I wore three layers and it was *still* freezing. Ended up postponing a few plans just because it was too cold to function.
* **No Christmas markets in Amsterdam** in early December.
* **Christmas markets hit different when you're solo.** They're festive, but also feel a bit lonely. It's really a “go with friends” kind of experience. Found myself drinking a beer alone in the cold more than once — even as a seasoned solo traveler, this one hit a little different.
* **Food was just okay.** Prague had the best meals, but overall, nothing super memorable cuisine-wise.
* **Cologne felt a bit boring.** Not much going on, but to be fair, their Christmas market was the best one.
* People in Amsterdam seem so tired with tourists. Some of the rudest people I encountered in all my solo travelling. There's also bikes everywhere even on sidewalks! It is so chaotic!

 **Highlights / Tips** 

* Walking tours are amazing — I learn something new every time.
* European architecture is just magical. I’ll never get tired of staring at it.
* Favorite places: (1) Prague, (2) Bruges, (3) Berlin, (4) Leiden. Yes, Prague is touristy, but just walk a few blocks from the main spots and it gets quieter.
* Belgium and Cologne were supposed to be *stopovers* so I stayed at cheaper hostels. 
* I wasn't able to go inside the Cologne Cathedral but I'd say if you have time, go and visit multiple cathedrals everywhere. Most of them are free and warm too.
* Winter tip: cut down your itinerary. It's brutally cold and drains your energy fast. Make the most of laundromats so you only need one large suitcase.
* Learn the public transport system in each city. There are similarities, but also key differences.
* Expect train delays — due to strikes, weather, or just… vibes. Luckily, mine were never longer than an hour. Deutsche Bahn (DB) in Germany is especially notorious. Use the DB app to buy tickets, check schedules, and request refunds (yes, really).
* I didn’t check for local transport cards (like Suica or T-Money), but some cities have their own (e.g., I got a Köln Card — free transport + discounts). I suggest using your card for transit; I used my (Transfer)Wise card, just be extra careful.
* Most public toilets charge €1 — bring coins or use your card.
* You can definitely do this trip 30% cheaper (around ₱200K) if you plan better. Food’s expensive — except maybe in Czechia. Beer is actually cheaper than water.
* Buying bottled water? Double-check it’s still, not sparkling 😅
* Trains are the best way to get around. They take time, but airports also suck up hours. No checked baggage fees either. Just account for possible delays.
* FlixBus is also a solid option — cheaper and with earlier schedules.

17D Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Czechia Solo Trip Report [2024]