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Amsterdam travel essentials 

Photo by Liam Gant from Pexels

You’ve booked your Amsterdam getaway (WOOP WOOP), but what are you going to pack? These are 10 travel essentials that you must take on your trip to Amsterdam. 

  • Waterproof jacket
  • Comfortable clothing
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Travel adapter
  • Backpack 
  • Mosquito repellent
  • ID 
  • Earplugs 
  • OV-chipkaart
  • I Amsterdam City Card

Waterproof jacket 

The weather in Amsterdam is unpredictable and there are a severe lack of mountains to block any incoming depressions from the sea. On average, Amsterdam receives 700 millimetres of rainfall a year, most of which falls in November. Even if you aren’t visiting in November, it is wise to take a waterproof jacket with you just in case. A waterproof jacket will protect your clothing from becoming damp in a downpour, ensuring that you are comfortable and dry whilst you are travelling around the city. 

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Comfortable clothing 

Amsterdam is the denim capital and is known for its fashionable, yet comfortable, clothing. As a city break, with an abundance of must-see attractions, you will find yourself doing a lot of walking whilst you are visiting Amsterdam, so comfort is key. Take your favourite pair of jeans and a handful of tops, shirts, and jumpers (depending on the season), with you to wear. These outfits can be dressed down during the day and dressed up if you are going out in the evening. 

Photo by Zen Chung from Pexels

Comfortable shoes 

Amsterdam is not just the denim capital, but the biking capital as well. If you aren’t wandering the beautiful cobbled streets of Amsterdam on foot then you must be experiencing it by bike. Regardless of if you are biking or walking, you will need to wear comfortable shoes, such as trainers. You don’t want to be enjoying the sights of Amsterdam only to get sore feet from inappropriate shoes halfway through your day. Instead, take a pair of comfortable shoes that you know you can spend all day in.

Photo by ready made from Pexels

Travel adapter 

The Netherlands uses the Type F electrical plug, which has 2 round pins spaced 2cm apart. This is the plug commonly used in Continental Europe. When packing for your trip to Amsterdam make sure that you include a travel adaptor so that you have full use of the plugs in Amsterdam whilst you are away. You can buy a travel adaptor online or at most convenience stores. 

Photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels

Backpack 

Depending on how long you are in Amsterdam, and how lightly you can pack, you may want to avoid taking a suitcase and use a backpack instead. Amsterdam is notorious for its narrow cobblestone streets which, although incredibly pretty, can be difficult to navigate with a suitcase. Rather than struggle wheeling a suitcase, take a backpack instead. It is a much easier alternative and a great way to prevent you from overpacking. 

Photo by veerasak Piyawatanakul from Pexels

Mosquitto repellent

If you are planning a trip to Amsterdam during the months of July and August then go armed with plenty of mosquito repellent. The humidity of the summer months, coupled with the water from the canals, creates the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, and your blood is the perfect snack. Douse yourself in mosquito repellent every night and before you leave for the day, and you should be safe from the bloodsuckers. If not, you risk being covered in itchy red blotches for the duration of your holiday. 

Image by Mike Mozart

ID

In the Netherlands, everyone is required to carry some form of official identification, such as a passport or driver’s license, with them at all times. If you do not have an official form of identification and you get caught by the police you will face a fine. Carry your ID with you at all times to be safe. You never know when you might need it.

Photo by Ethan Wilkinson from Pexels

Earplugs 

Amsterdam is home to over 1 million people so the streets can get noisy. If your room overlooks a main street, particularly one with lots of bars and coffee shops on it, you could experience a lot of noise pollution at night. If you are a light sleeper, you may want to invest in a pair of earplugs to help you sleep more soundly. Simply pop them in, and drift off, ready to face a new day in the city tomorrow. 

Image by sleepsugar.com

OV-chipkaart

When you get to Amsterdam buy yourself an OV-chipkaart from the nearest railway station. An OV-chipkaart is similar to a London Oyster card. You simply put money onto your card and use it on the buses, trams, and metros around Amsterdam. This is a much faster and easier alternative to buying single-use tickets and can be used if you visit Amsterdam in the future. 

Image by DennisM2

I Amsterdam City Card 

There are so many amazing things to see and do in Amsterdam and an I Amsterdam City Card can help you see and do them all. An I Amsterdam City Card can be purchased for 24, 48, 72, or 96 hours, and gives you unlimited use of public transport, free entry to over 60 museums and attractions, free canal cruises, and discounts in certain shops, restaurants, and theatres. With prices starting at just €59, an I Amsterdam City Card is the perfect travel essential for those looking to see a lot of Amsterdam in a short amount of time. 

Image by Norio NAKAYAMA

Whilst you’re packing your Amsterdam travel essentials, we’ll be laundering the rest of your clothing. Book your Laundryheap order today by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app.


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Everyday quarantine essentials

Being in quarantine can be stressful, boring, exhausting, and worrying. But, there are ways that you can make it easier for yourself and those you’re isolating with. These are the everyday essentials that you will need in quarantine. 

  • A basic first aid kit 
  • Groceries 
  • Essential toiletries 
  • WiFi
  • Moisturiser
  • Loungewear
  • A book 
  • Video chat
  • A bath bomb
  • Board games/puzzles 

A basic first aid kit

With the stress that the world’s hospitals are under, coupled with the fact that we are only supposed to be shopping for the essentials, it is vital that everyone has a basic first aid kit in their home. Your kit should include medical basics such as plasters, bandages, antiseptic cream, tweezers, and paracetamol. Having a simple first aid kit to hand will mean that you will only have to leave your home and concern the emergency services when it is absolutely necessary. 

photo by Senior Airman Kirby Turbak

Groceries 

We all have to eat, so groceries are an absolute essential during quarantine. When shopping for your groceries you should strike the right balance between a nutritious diet and treating yourself. These are worrisome times that we are in, so if you want to buy 3 different types of biscuits or a giant bar of chocolate, go for it. Just make sure that you balance your treats with some healthy, hearty, meals. 

Image by Mittmac from Pixabay

Essential toiletries

Items such as toilet roll, toothpaste, shampoo, and shower gel are all essential to keeping ourselves clean. It is vital that, despite being in quarantine, we maintain our physical hygiene. Having regular showers, and even taking on a task as simple as brushing your teeth, can improve your mental health and give you a more productive state of mind. If you are struggling to find essential toiletries in your local store and you live in the UK buy one of our Essential Packs and we will deliver your essentials to you. Additionally, you can buy an Essentials Pack for someone vulnerable by adding the AGEUK address to the delivery information.

Wifi 

Living in the age of the internet means that WiFi has become essential in our everyday lives. Now, it is an essential during quarantine. It would be near impossible to work from home and stay connected with your colleagues without WiFi. Outside of work, WiFi can be used to watch movies, TV shows, and to browse the internet to stay entertained. 

Moisturiser 

We should all be washing our hands to maintain cleanliness and prevent the spread of COVID19. However, constantly washing your hands can lead to dry, cracked skin that can be painful. To alleviate the pain, use moisturiser to soften your hands. Dry skin on your hands should not prevent you from frequently washing them, so a high-impact moisturiser is an essential quarantine item. 

Loungewear

Loungewear is essential to achieving maximum comfort whilst in quarantine. Whether you’re working from home, home-schooling your children, or just taking it one day at a time, you don’t want to be wearing unnecessarily stiff clothing. Tracksuits, leggings, shorts and loose-fitting T-shirts are the height of quarantine fashion. Comfortable, stretchy clothing that is easy to move in and easy to lounge in. 

Photo by Jack Sparrow from Pexels

A book 

Being in quarantine can become incredibly overwhelming but reading can be a useful release. When isolation starts to get a bit too much, grab a book and transport yourself to another world. Try and choose upbeat happy books that will take you away from the stresses of the modern world, however, any book that you can immerse yourself in will do. 

Coffee Break Reading Travel Book Lifestyle Concept

Video chat

Distancing from friends, family, and loved ones is incredibly difficult, which is why online video chats, such as Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime have become so important. It’s vital that we stay in touch with those we love so that we can catch up with them and make sure that they are safe. We need to virtually socialise as much as possible to maintain relationships and boost our mental health. Apps, such as Zoom, are great for virtually socialising because you can physically see the person you are talking to, plus it makes it easy to take part in things such as virtual pub quizzes, movie nights, and games. 

A bath bomb

During lock down, it is important to take some time for yourself to relax. One way to do that is by having a soothing bath with a bath bomb. Try and get a bath bomb that includes natural relaxants such as lavender and rose as this will make it easier for you to sink into a calm state of mind. To set the tone for relaxation, light some candles and make sure that you have a nice big fluffy towel waiting for you when you’re ready to get out.

Board games/puzzles  

If you are isolating with friends or family, board games and puzzles can be a great way to pass the time and bond. Relationships can become strained whilst in quarantine, so doing something positive together, such as playing a board game or completing a puzzle, can relieve some of that tension. Plus, board games and puzzles are great entertainment and can be played time after time. 

Wherever you’re isolating we hope that you are safe. Our services are fully operational, now including in Kuwait, with hot washes available and all orders being delivered contactless. Book your delivery slot by visiting the Laundryheap website or by downloading the Laundryheap app for free.