End-of-Year PQP Run → Amsterdam 🇳🇱

What started as a year-end PQP run to lock in mileage status turned into one of our favorite trips yet. Amsterdam was the destination—and somehow I lucked into flying Polaris both ways, which made the entire experience feel elevated from the moment we boarded. Worth it.

We stayed at the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel, and the location could not have been easier. We took the train straight from the airport to Amsterdam Central Station, walked a few minutes, and were at the hotel. No stress, no taxis, no confusion. The hotel itself was perfectly positioned—walkable to just about everything we wanted to see, including the Red Light District.

One stop that had been on the list for years: Hanky Panky Tattoo. A legendary shop with serious history, dating back to the 1970s and known for its role in Amsterdam’s counterculture scene. We walked out with a few tattoos as permanent souvenirs—no regrets, only memories.

We also made time for a little luxury shopping and popped into Hermès, where a bracelet came home with us. Travel rule: experiences first, but sometimes a tangible reminder hits just right.

Food-wise, Amsterdam delivered. We had fantastic meals at Ashoka and Siren, along with a handful of cozy local bars and spontaneous spots that made the trip feel relaxed and unplanned in the best way.

Four days. A total whirlwind. Endless walking, cold weather, a bit of rain, and somehow—no snow. Still, the city was magical. Layered up, wandering canals, ducking into bars, and squeezing every drop out of the time we had.