When a close friend signed up for the Amsterdam Marathon in October, I wanted to be there. Having run a marathon a few months ago, I knew the power of cheering and what a familiar face on the course can do for a runner’s-tired legs and brains. This also presented a perfect opportunity to explore the place and turn it into a weekend getaway.

What unfolded was a weekend that blended countryside charm, an electric marathon and the shock of a cancelled flight forcing us to stay 2 additional days in Amsterdam. We were not complaining….well, not after discovering that our stay was taken care of by the airline 😊Want to know more about what to do when your flight is cancelled – read here.

Marathon fever in addition to tourists soaking in the autumn magic, hotels prices in Amsterdam were soaring! At one point even making us rethink our decision to fly. After a few hours of scouring through sites promising to offer pocket friendly accommodation to no avail, we finally had our lightbulb moment!

We figured staying outside the city was better on the wallet and easy train rides into Amsterdam, allowed us to explore a different side of the Netherlands. And just like that Rotterdam was on the itinerary. We flew into Amsterdam, with a small backpack and lots of excitement. First step was to take the Intercity direct train to Rotterdam and let the weekend adventure begin!

With marathon day still ahead, we decided to travel the Dutch way; cycling through the plains of UNESCO World Heritage site – Kinderjdijk. Weaving through the farmlands and narrow lanes, exploring the 19 windmills, was like flipping through a living postcard of Netherlands.

Pedalling through the fields, wind on our faces, humming songs of autumn, we found ourselves face-to-face with horses grazing peacefully. It was one of those “why not?” moments that travel gifts you when you let go of the map and follow the mood.

After bidding goodbye to the windmills and the horses, back in the city centre, Rotterdam revealed its bold, quirky side. As a city that suffered major destruction during World War II, its makers definitely decided to have fun whilst re-building. We wandered through streets shaped by imagination starting at Rotterdam Central with its V-shaped canopy guiding us to the next stop, the Markthal.

Once inside “the Markthal”, no matter where we looked there was a food stall serving dishes from a different part of the globe. Spoilt for choice, we looked up at the futuristic ceiling of this inverted ‘U; shaped building and go with the flow . Relinquishing control, we decided to experiment, right from polishing up Moroccan tajines to “Kroket” sandwiches to Japanese mochi for dessert. The place also sells fresh produce, sauces and cheeses – a good spot to stock up on gifts for friends and family, we were travelling light, hence skipped it.

With our bellies and hearts full, we walked around to be greeted by a series of yellow cubes. Whether it was a tower of Jenga, frozen mid-air or a relay run of dices, you could let your imagination run wild. I was even more shocked to learn that these quirky structures were actual houses! Walking around and admiring the architecture of Rotterdam, we called it a day.

While we choose Rotterdam, during our research we also came across other pocket-friendly cities like Utrecht, Leiden, The Hague and Haarlem. They all happen to be less than an hour’s train ride from Central Amsterdam.

Sunday began with a 5K run before sunrise – a ritual of our own— in honour of the spirit of the day. Then it was off to Amsterdam, where the city was already buzzing. We grabbed breakfast at a station deli, surrounded by runners and cheer squads, all flowing toward one destination: the Olympic Stadium.

The stadium was alive—music, movement, and a sea of emotions. I cheered my friend at the start line. Excitement, pride, belief – a mix of emotions. Cheering her on between milestones, shouting encouragement to every runner, boosts of high-fives, makes one feel part of their running journey.

There is a magic in the air on marathon day that makes you want to lace up yourself. It’s not just the runners—it’s the collective heartbeat of support, grit, and celebration. A superb experience that makes you realise that the marathon is not an individual sport but of community and camaraderie.

Amidst the marathon mania, we hit a wall of our own- our flight was cancelled due to issues with the Air Traffic Control System back home. Busy tracking her and shuttling between milestones on the marathon route, we noticed the notification much later, by which time, next day’s flights were already full, and we were forced to extend our getaway by 2 days. Mixed emotions…literally 😄😝

We still had to celebrate my friend’s maiden marathon milestone! We decided to bring some calm to our action-packed day by taking a boat-ride on the canals. What better way to see the city and its lit-up bridges, including crossing the Amstel canal – the birthplace of the city.<Viator Link> Mind at peace, but tummies grumbling, we headed off to eat and spotted this amazing Sichuan place<link> in the heart of Amsterdam. Sniffling with each bite, our tongues numb and hearts full, - a spicy end to our athletic day!

We rented a houseboat or as the Dutch call it – “Woonboot”, on the canal, adding to the authentic experience. Ducks and Swans do make for good neighbours. We started our day with the Rijksmuseum (Viator link or Website Link?), it houses works by famous artists like Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh. The museum is huge, and we did end up spending more time than intended, so I would advise to plan your visit and book entry tickets to save time and avoid disappointment in case they are sold out. Following our walk through history, we set out to stroll the streets of central Amsterdam, taking in the autumn scenery.

On this trip, we made some wonderful culinary discoveries. For lunch, we stopped at Hasta la Pasta, tucked away in the alleyways, serving yummy Italian food. Their tomato soup was perfect for a cool October afternoon.

A 10-minute stroll from the restaurant brought us to Oude Kerk, a beautiful church with a high vaulted ceiling and stained-glass paintings. Alongside it are contemporary art exhibits, wonderfully merging the old and the new. Keeping history and art alive, the church is also the resting place of Rembrandt’s wife and muse.

To keep the evening relatively light, we decided to get the 24-hour hop-on, hop-off pass - transportation and sightseeing clubbed into one 🤑

We boarded the open-top bus to begin our spirited (literally) adventure of our trip – the Heineken Experience. The iconic beer brand’s original brewery makes for the perfect spot for beer-making and an immersive experience blend together. Our expectation was a process-driven tour, but this was so much more.

It has been thoughtfully designed to engage all age groups from an interactive brewery tour, to experiencing a day in the life of a Heineken bottle, to scoring a virtual goal and shooting a film of ourselves cycling through the by-lanes of the city. It was so much fun! Watching myself pedal past canals and houses, singing along to their folk songs, my love for the Dutch way of life only grew stronger!

Our culinary voyage continued as we grabbed lunch at Fou Fow Ramen, as a vegetarian, I often struggle to find decent options, but this place surpassed expectations. Flavourful broth, steaming gyozas on a breezy afternoon, just the warm hug we needed.

With that our Dutch adventure was coming to a close. This trip taught us that interruptions make the journey and joy lives in the unexpected, whether it is tiny food joints, historic buildings, lip-syncing songs, pedalling through farmlands, or the electrifying energy of a stadium crowd.