Why You Must Experience Amsterdam At Least Once In Your Lifetime.

We arrived at Schiphol airport after a 45 min flight on KLM from Birmingham. Following the signs for the train to Amsterdam Central was easy enough then just a short 15 min ride. Our chosen hotel was less than a kilometre away, and it was a lovely sunny day so we decided to walk. Then it hits you - how diverse both the age range and the sheer amount of nationalities that descend upon the Venice of the North. The streets were teeming with folk literally from all over the world.

Our hotel was just metres from Dam Square. It was the Rho Hotel, quite basic but very central to roam about the city. The bed was smaller than we were used to and with individual quilts which is typically Dutch. Breakfast was adequate but nothing spectacular. Would I stay here again? No I would rather pay more for maybe something more boutique. After we checked in we went to discover why this place is so popular we wandered aimlessly with no real plan, feeling a bit peckish we popped into a little tapas bar and restaurant for a snack following this more walking around soaking it all in then settled in a great people watching street bar for a nightcap or two.

Plenty to see and do so first we chose a canal boat hour long cruise which was fascinating and great value for money at 11 Euros each. Back by Central Station we took the free ferry over the water to go and see the A’Dam Lookout an observation deck which has an unrivalled panoramic view of Amsterdam well worth a visit at only 12.5 Euros each it’s also a place you can have lunch or dinner and not overpriced as I would have expected. Man City were playing so we caught the second half in a Dutch sports bar.

For dinner, and after a lot of research into good quality Dutch restaurants, we decided on a quaint local place called Van Kerkwijk again only metres from our hotel. I popped along to try reserve a table only to be told that nobody can book, and there is no menu. Intrigued we went back at about 19:30 - sure enough it was full. We waited in the bar area and got sat down after 45 mins then one of the charming waitresses came and explained what’s on offer that day, both our starter and main courses were divine with a bottle of wine as well we thought 84 Euros was a great deal. After dinner Michelle wanted to see ‘The Red Light District’ so for 10 mins we walked towards the area which I have to say was something of an eye opener for her. The place was awash with curious tourists, stag groups etc. Then after a nightcap in a bar near our hotel we retired for the evening as I wanted an early start so I could see the city in all its glory before the masses descended once again.

So after an early breakfast we had a very pleasant stroll through the streets and along the canals almost bereft of locals and tourists, watching cafes and shops setting up for another busy day even on a Sunday. We had chosen the late flight back to Birmingham so what to do with our luggage as check out was 11 am. There was no room or security in the left luggage section of the hotel anybody could have taken what they wanted so off back to central station where they have great facilities and for just 10 Euros I could leave our suitcase in one of the larger lockers – Sorted. I noticed that a Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition was on in town and always been fascinated by the man’s genius off we went, it was a bit steep at 14 Euros each but I got a free apple! After even more strolling around it is evident that the nation's relaxed view on cannabis is a real draw for some folk, but not for us.

There will be something for everybody in Amsterdam and if you have a real love of art there are plenty of other museums and galleries to visit. I read recently that the city spends nothing on self-promotion not one Guilder sorry Euro and I can understand why – it does not need to.

Bedankt Amsterdam