Over Amsterdam Canals To Get Pancakes! Athens & Paris For Dollars A Day

Welcome to my multi-part review of our summer vacation.  We spent 12 days abroad, predominately in Athens and Paris (and a half day in Amsterdam before heading home).    Happy to answer questions as I finish up the series.  We traveled in mid-July, so right in the middle of the Athens financial crisis.  Here’s most of what I expect to cover, including links to posts I’ve already completed:

• Planning Our Summer Vacation!
• British Airways First and Business Class Lounges at Philadelphia Airport
• US Airways Business Class from Philadelphia to Athens
• A Speed Bump Upon Arrival At Arion
• Arion Guest Room Review
• Arion & Westin Amenities
• Arion Restaurant Reviews
• A Quick Trip To The Acropolis And Parthenon
• Athens Metro System
• Temple of Poseidon at Sounio
• Swimming With The Fishes
• Restaurant Review: Garbi (Seafood)
• Restaurant Review: Kiku
• Our Two Favorite Restaurants In Greece
• Tips On Getting Around Athens Airport
• Flying From Athens To Paris
• Hyatt Regency Etoile Paris, Part 1
• Hyatt Regency Etoile Paris, Part 2
• Climbing the Eiffel Tower
• Arc de Triomphe
• Disneyland Paris
• A Study of Macarons
• Various Restaurant Reviews
• Taking The Train From Paris To Amsterdam
• Sheraton Schiphol Airport

We had what amounted to half a day in Amsterdam before flying home.  While that’s not enough time to explore the entire city, we did get to enjoy a little time walking around Amsterdam.  We took the train from the airport to Central Station, about a 20-minute trip that costs 5 Euro.  We purchased tickets ahead of time in the airport and self-validated.  The train itself was clean and not overly crowded.

I had done a little bit of research prior to hitting Amsterdam.  The goal was to find a restaurant that the kids would enjoy, a casual afternoon on our last day.  We nailed it.  There’s a Sunday tradition in our house that I always try to be home for.  It started back when my father and I moved in with my grandparents after my parents divorced.  Sunday was pancake day.  While our last day in town wasn’t a Sunday, The Pancake Bakery was the perfect spot for us.

The menu is, well, pancakes.  Savory, sweet, pretty much every variety you can think of.  We had a lot of fun picking out our food, especially the kids.  Catherine chose princess pancakes and we got the firefighter package for Charlie.  Not only did they enjoy the pancakes but the toys made it a lights out hit for them.

The adult pancakes were a hit with both the adults and the kids.  There was a pancake with cheese and chorizo, almost like a spicy pizza.  The caprese was just as awesome.  Honestly, one of our best meals of the trip.  Simple, served hot and perfect straight from the open kitchen with quick, efficient service.  The Pancake Bakery, about a 15-minute walk from the train station, would definitely be on our list during a return trip.

We spent the rest of the day walking around town, making sure to skirt around the red light district since we were with the kids.  We did pass a couple of storefronts the kids might find questionable but managed to avoid any interesting questions.  It’s a beautiful city to walk around on a warm day.  I’m looking forward to getting a return trip.

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