Baby Went to Amsterdam, Four, Five Days for the Big Canal....

Just last week I took a little trip to Amsterdam, specifically the trip was to see the Verzetsmuseum and newly reopened Rijksmuseum. This was my second trip to the city, the first being a very brief stay whilst interrailing in 2011. The city has so much to offer but is somewhat overlooked as a city of sex and drugs, but honestly if you put these obvious sites to the sideline the city is bursting to seams with things to see. 

 

A really special place for me was Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder or 'Our Lord in the Attic', a secret 17th century Catholic Church built over three canal houses. The church was built during the Reformation as a secret place of worship for Catholics, who at the time were forbidden to practice. The church is beautiful and the story behind it is remarkable. 

The Verzetsmuseum (Dutch Resistance Museum), didn't disappoint at all, the exhibition is packed with really interesting facts about resistance to the Nazi's in the Netherlands during WWII and beutiful and heartbreaking stories of the people involved or persecuted by Hitler. I have wanted to visit the museum for years, and I spent hours engrossed in it. 

The Rijksmuseum holds a lot of very impressive art in beautiful surroundings, January was the perfect time to visit, as we seemed to be the only tourists in the building! Great selection for everyone, and the Nightwatch really is impressive.

On my previous trip to Amsterdam I visited the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House. I would definitely advise taking a trip to both, as they are extremely interesting and though provoking. I loved seeing so many Van Gogh's together, you could see the progression and change of style which you just don't get by seeing a singular piece! The Anne Frank House, is very emotional, no trip to Amsterdam would be complete without seeing Anne's Diary and the confined rooms her and her family were stuck in. 

Must See and Do

• Eat Poffertjes (mini Dutch pancakes) 
• Stroll around the Jordaan's quaint streets
• Catch up on your history with a look into resistance at the Verzetsmuseum - Website Ticket's €8, located opposite the Zoo!
• Visit the tranquil Begijnhof, and see the Catholic Chapel, this is a really unique thing to do in Amsterdam (you can also see a Begijnhof in Bruges too), and find out about the religious women who lived here on their website Website
• Try spot royalty leaving the Royal Paleis (I was lucky enough to spot the King!)
• Eat some amazing frite at Vleminckx the Sausmeester,Voetboogstraat 31-33, Amsterdam
• See Rembrandt's masterpiece 'The Nightwatch' at the Rijksmuseum, website €15 per ticket, definitely pre-book online in busy Summer Months! Also brilliant resource to use to get more info on paintings etc.
• Visit the Van Gogh Museum and see the genius' works all in one place, Van Gogh Museum Tickets €15, buy in advance! 
• Get one of the amazing 'Broodje' (dutch sandwiches) at Broodje Bert (321 Singel, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Take a picture with the 'I Amsterdam' sign
• See the famous Diary at the Anne Frank House, Website, Tickets €9, definitely book in advance! 
• See the hidden church at Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder - Website - Tickets €8 and includes audiotour
• Stay at Hotel The Exchange (http://www.hoteltheexchange.com/) right in the centre of Amsterdam, or go high-tech and stay at Citizen M (http://www.citizenm.com/) which has the most amazing in-room extra's!
• If you are flying to Schipol then make sure to look around the airport, one of the best I have been in! They have a mini-Rijksmuseum, a library, a relaxation area and spa!

(Listen: Amsterdam - Peter Bjorn and John)