best of 2013

In no particular order, some of my favorite photos from the last year from a bunch of places: Germany, Sardinia, Prague, Paris x 2, Stone Harbor, NYC, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Gran Canaria.

three days in amsterdam, part IV: windmills

I had visions of riding bicycles through the countryside, over dikes and past windmills, but since it was too cold to stand still outside, let alone be on a bicycle, we changed that plan from "bike tour" to "bus tour" pretty quick -- specifically, Tours & Tickets' Countryside and Windmills tour. The cheese factory tour in Volendam and the wooden clog-making introduction in Marken were surprisingly entertaining in spite of being just as cheesy as you'd expect, but the windmills of Zaanse Schans at sunset were legitimately gorgeous.

three days in amsterdam, part III: in the nighttime

Amsterdam's canals are particularly magical at night.

three days in amsterdam, part II: cafes & canals

     
Even though I'd been to Amsterdam on two different trips before, I'm not sure I had ever been in Amsterdam in the sunshine. It may have been freezing but that did not distract me from how much of a stunner the city is. I could not get over my love for the bicycle/bridge/canal aesthetic. Gorgeous.

three days in amsterdam, part I: cora

  
Stop #2 of Kellies' European Adventure: Amsterdam, the Netherlands, a three-day stay that started and ended with visits to Cora, a wonderful take-away sandwich shop on Prinsengracht canal. We both ordered the #1 both times we went: soft yet crusty bread, Dutch goat's cheese, grilled spinach, sundried tomatoes. I added truffle mayo to mine the second time but did not even consider ordering a different sandwich; why mess with perfection? There's an excellent spot to sit and enjoy your sandwich and freshly squeezed juice right across the street, on the canal. Perfect for pretending it's really spring and not just the longest winter that ever was. And do you see the color of that apple juice? Wonderful.