Amsterdam City Breaks
Amsterdam is a vibrant city that appeals to singles and couples alike for an exciting break away. The beautiful sights and architecture make the city worth viewing alone, but add to that the cosmopolitan mix of people and lively nightlife and a visit to Amsterdam is a must.
There are so many things to do on an Amsterdam city break. Visit Abert Cuyp Market, one of the oldest markets in Amsterdam. Other options for things to do include some retail therapy at Kalvertoren, a large shopping mall with an amazing view from the top. For another great view of this vibrant city, walk to the top of the New Metropollis Centre and admire the view from there.
You can also visit one of the famous Amsterdam coffee shops which are licensed to sell small quantities of cannabis to adults over 18.Amsterdam is famous for small shops that sell items that can't be bought anywhere wlse in the world. The best little streets to shop are between the Leidsestraat and the Raadhuisstraat.
As for nightlife, there are plenty of bars and clubs in Amsterdam. There are bars to suit everyone from traditional Dutch bars packed with old dutch people playing cards to Irish and American bars, which cater for tourists. There are also late bars in Amsterdam which are not clubs but which remain lively after hours. You can even find a small dance floor in some to party the night away. Some of these bars can be open until 10.00 the next morning!
Amsterdam's climate, like the rest of the Netherlands, is generally mild and the temperature rarely drops to below freezing in the winter and rarely becomes too hot in the summer months. Like other countries in northern Europe, Holland is prone to occasional rainfall but this is not too often and the rain is usually light.
City breaks to Amsterdam are recommended for singles and couples and you can expect to reach Amsterdam by plane in about 1 hour 10 minutes from the UK.
When we think of city breaks we probably think first of Paris, Rome, New York or Barcelona but Amsterdam can really hold its own when it comes to being a great destination for a short break.
Amsterdam is easily reached from the UK by plane or ferry and there is a huge selection of hotels to choose from ranging from luxurious to budget and from romantic to family friendly.
The famous red light district and coffee shops where smoking cannabis is the norm are probably what first come to mind when we think of Amsterdam and yes these things are what draw in many tourists from all over the world but they are not really what Amsterdam is all about.
In reality Amsterdam is a historic city and is very beautiful. There are many buildings which are simply stunning to look at as architecture is very important here and is something which the locals are very proud of. The canals are also very pretty and you can travel very happily around the city with canal passes. Canal cruises can be done in several ways including on open-top canal boats or unique self-pedalled canal bikes which are really an experience not to be missed.
Amsterdam is a modern, vibrant and diverse city and shopoholics will have no complaints. Shops ranging from quaint souvenir stores to large high street chains can be found here and of course the red light district is packed with shops selling more x rated products and also fun souvenirs.
Amsterdam really comes alive at night. There is a very good nightlife scene here and the young, trendy and beautiful from all around Europe can be found milling around the upmarket bars here on every night of the week. There are also over 1000 restaurants which cater for the needs and budgets of everyone from the most discerning tourist to young hip students. Food has really international flavour and cuisines from all around the globe can be found here.
During the day if you are not shopping, travelling along the canals or soaking up culture you could visit the zoo. This is a great family attraction and there are many animals here.
There are also several museums including the world famous Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum which is now showcasing the finest collection of 17th-century Dutch works of art. Anne Frank's house is also a very popular tourist attraction. Here you can see the very place where Ann Frank wrote her famous diary during her time in hiding with her family during world war two.
A more fun alternative is the very interesting sex museum which illustrates how attitudes to sex have changed over the last few decades.
Walking tours are also popular in Amsterdam and can be self guided or done as part of a group. These tours will give you plenty of opportunity to photograph and explore the many bridges, canals and fine architecture of the city.
There are many tour operators now offering packages to Amsterdam but it often works out better value to put together your own Holiday. Flights are relatively cheap now with several budget airlines offering direct flights from many airports in the UK.
Amsterdam City Breaks - Flight and Hotel Deals
