Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the Dutch capital, is best explored on foot or by bicycle, following its canals and picturesque lanes through the historic centre. Museums are central to any visit: the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum rank among the must-sees, alongside the deeply moving Anne Frank House. The Red Light District, often visited out of curiosity, rounds off a stroll through the city centre together with Dam Square. For something a little different, the Gassan Diamond Museum or the Heineken Experience offer another perspective on the city. A walk along the canals or a boat trip on the Amstel is a good way to take in the typical architecture. The lively Albert Cuyp Market is worth a visit for a taste of local life, while chips, a local speciality, are best sampled at Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx. Just outside the city, the windmill village of Zaanse Schans, the seaside village of Volendam on the IJsselmeer, and Zaandam all make for a pleasant countryside escape less than an hour away, offering rural heritage and classic Dutch scenery.