anexpatabroad

“Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find sin.” John Green

Amsterdam is a city of two halves. One half is filled with pretty tree lined canals, thousands of tethered bicycles, wonky narrow canal houses and houseboats, cute cafes and trendy shops. The other half has earned the Netherlands capital its nickname as the ‘sinful city’, working girls in windows and the infamous coffee shops with their distinct aromas wafting into the streets.

The city in which there is literally a museum of something on every street, there are seventy five of them in fact dotted about the city. Visit the museum of cheese, cows, cats or the eye-opening Secrets of the Red Light District. The Anne Frank Huis is a must visit, a building that holds so many secrets behind it’s rickety walls. Take a look at some art, Banksy and Lichtenstein at the Moco museum, Van Gogh’s famous ‘Sunflowers’ at the museum of his name or masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum. Mingle with the famous waxworks at Madame Tussaud’s, dodge the hundreds of pigeons in Dam square and try to get that coveted Instagram photo at the IAMSTERDAM sign.

Swing over the city if you dare at A’DAM lookout on Europe’s highest swing, take a canal cruise along the historic waterways, jump on a tram or take a risky ride on two wheels. Satisfy hunger cravings with stacks of fruit laden pancakes, decorated stroopwafels and the must try, frites with mayonnaise. Enjoy a picnic in Vondelpark, sample some cheese in one of the many cheese shops and find out the history of beer at the Heineken Experience. Stop off to witness all the colours and sweet smells of Bloemenmarkt, the world’s only floating flower market.

Here’s a first look at our city trip in pictures.

All views are my own. Unless otherwise stated, all photos on this page © Jo Brett 2018. All rights reserved.

We travelled to Amsterdam from Gatwick Airport with British Airways. As of April 2018 you can travel on the new Eurostar route from St Pancras International Station to the heart of Amsterdam in under 4 hours. Etihad Airways and KLM have daily direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam.