A weekend adventure in Amsterdam…

Amsterdam is a fantastic place for a weekend getaway and 48 hours is plenty of time to discover everything this cultural city has to offer.  Plus it is only short flight from the UK so you can be exploring before you know it!

First things first it’s very easy to navigate your way from the airport into Amsterdam, with a 20 minute train journey to Centraal Station.  Once checked in to your hotel head out and explore, the Jordaan neighbourhood is a great place to stop off for a coffee or even a beer.  While in this part of town pay a visit to Anne Frank’s house.  Step through the hidden doorway and see where Anne and her family hid from the Gestapo during WWII.  It is an incredibly humbling and emotional experience, especially if you have read Anne Frank’s diary.  Tickets are €9.

Next, stroll along one of the many canals, explore the quaint streets and wonderful architecture. Look out for the narrowest houses, the smallest one can be found at Oude Hoogstraat 22 and is just 2.02 metres in width and 5 metres deep!  Hire a bike or take a boat ride and really get into the heart of the city.  The Canal Bus stops at all the major tourist spots, making it a great way to see the sights.  In the evening try some traditional Dutch cuisine.  Moeders restaurant in the Jordaan neighbourhood is popular with locals and a very quirky place to dine.  Order a tasting plate to sample all sorts of Dutch delights.

On day two I recommend visiting the Van Gough Museum, it holds a huge collection of his paintings over three floors.  Entry to the museum is €17.  The opening hours are 9am – 6pm daily and 9am – 10pm on Fridays, plenty of time to discover everything this fascinating museum has to offer.

If shopping is your thing then make your next stop the streets of the Western Canal Belt.  Vintage shops and chic boutiques line the pretty streets and are perfect for souvenir shopping.  An unusual market worth a peruse is Bloememarket, a floating market selling plants, flowers and herbs and a great place for taking those all important holiday snaps.

The Red Light District may be thought of as seedy but being one of the things that Amsterdam is famous for it is worth a visit.  Take a guided tour or stroll around by yourself, it is one of the oldest districts in Amsterdam with some great architecture and tiny cobbled streets.

Indonesian cuisine is a popular meal choice in the city and comes from the Dutch colonisation of Indonesia.  I love  Rijsttafel, a selection of Indonesian dishes that are ideal for sharing and Blauw restaurant is a great place to experience it.  Reserve a table before you arrive as it can get booked up fairly quickly.

Finally, round the 48 hours off with after dinner drinks at Dam Square and watch the world go by.  Cheers!