Amsterdam Items

Tips for a relaxing summer weekend in Amsterdam

There's nothing quite like taking a short getaway in the summer and really making the most of the season. Famous for its pretty canals and colourful blooms, Amsterdam is a wonderful destination for this kind of trip - but how can you make sure it's as relaxing as possible?

Celebrate a special Queen’s Day in Amsterdam

April 30 marks a special day for the Dutch – Queen’s Day – a celebration of their monarchy and an official public holiday. People all over Holland celebrate Queen’s Day, although the best festivities can be found in Amsterdam.

Top five places to see the spring flowers

Yesterday was the first official day of spring (even though it may not look like it outside), so we’ve picked five of our top favourite places to see the spring flowers. From the famous gardens at Kew, to tulip fields near Amsterdam, a cherry blossom festival in Copenhagen and an ancient bluebell wood in Wiltshire, here are our top picks.

Short breaks with the kids

Weekend breaks aren’t just for young couples, they can also make for excellent family holidays on a budget

Coffee with a local in Amsterdam

This week IdealShortBreaks.co.uk is in Amsterdam drinking strong black coffee with local Machteld Ligtvoet, who gives us tips on some of his favourite local haunts – including where you can go to find one of the best views of the city.

Chinese New Year celebrations closer to home

February 10 2013 marks the beginning of the Chinese lunar New Year. This year is the Year of the Snake and over one billion people around the globe will be celebrating it. While the biggest celebrations are no doubt in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, there are many cities closer to home, where you can witness colourful lion dances, dragon parades and traditional music and dancing.

Amsterdam: top events in 2013

Amsterdam is an excellent place to visit on a short break, as there's always something exciting going on. 2013 is a particularly good year for events in the Dutch capital, as there are several anniversaries being celebrated in the coming 12 months.

Top five city breaks for 2013

The New Year has now definitely begun and while most of us are back at work, it is the perfect time to start planning this year’s city breaks. Here are our picks for the top five city break destinations for 2013, from Marseille, one of the European Capital of Cultures, to Amsterdam – a city of anniversaries and celebrations.

Amsterdam - On The Clock

How much can you really get done on a weekend city break? Plenty, if our guide to Amsterdam on the clock is anything to go by…

Amsterdam named best European city to visit in 2013

The guidebook publisher revealed its Best Travel in 2012 list today and the Dutch capital took second place overall, ahead of all other European destinations on the list.

Top upcoming events in Amsterdam

If you are planning a brief getaway in Amsterdam this year, there are plenty of great ways you can enjoy this magical city - especially if you are keen to get involved in some local events. Read our guide to discover some of the best upcoming events and festivals.

Amsterdam's best galleries

Amsterdam is a fabulous place for a relaxing break soaking up some local culture, particularly if you are an art lover. Generously sprinkled with amazing galleries, the city houses countless seminal works from masters and upcoming greats alike. To find out which galleries you really shouldn't miss, read our guide.

A guide to Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum

There are so many fascinating attractions to visit when you stay in an Amsterdam hotel, it can be difficult coming up with a schedule for your break. However, the Rijksmuseum is one place you simply must check out while you're in the city.

Get a taste of Holland when you explore by bike

If you're looking for somewhere close to the UK for a short, active break Holland is the ideal choice. Take to two wheels and you'll be able to explore some of the country's fascinating sights in just a few days, including the vibrant Amsterdam.

A guide to Amsterdam's historical and cultural attractions

If you have booked a stay in one of Amsterdam's cheap hotels and are looking for a little inspiration of what to do during your break, visiting the city's cultural and historical attractions should top your list. Find out the best places to go to with our guide.

Top historical spots in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has long been a popular weekend break destination, and with good reason. Not only is its intricate network of canals world-famous, but it's also a great place to sample Dutch cuisine. Something that really makes the city stand out is the numerous historical attractions.

Highlights of a short cycling break in Holland

Booking short breaks doesn't mean you have to be restricted to one destination - by opting for a cycling holiday, you can see several places in one country over the course of a few days. Travel to Holland to explore Amsterdam, as well as a few nearby towns.

Why are European festival trips so popular?

When you only have a weekend or a few days to spare, you want to be sure that every moment of your short break will be filled with fun. By choosing to head to the continent and experience one or two of the festivals in Europe, you are guaranteed such a treat.

How to spend a day in Amsterdam on a 2012 cruise

If you're planning on calling in at Amsterdam during a 2012 cruise, you might want to think in advance about what you're hoping to see and do - especially if your ship is only docking in the port for one day. The capital of the Netherlands is full of interesting sites to visit and if you're well-prepared, you'll be able to take in many of the top attractions in just one day.

Amsterdam: a city of bridges with a story to tell

If you're planning a short break in Europe, there are many destinations you can choose to visit. Amsterdam, in particular, could be an ideal location if you're keen on art, history and architecture, so why not read our guide to find out what you can see in the vibrant city?

Ten best value city breaks

New research by travel money provider M&S Money has revealed the top ten most affordable city breaks. While some of the destinations on the list are to be expected, others have taken us by surprise.

Best city breaks for going solo

Some cities can be great to go to with the family, others have a myriad of attractions to keep the kids entertained and other still are best just with the one you love. However there are some cities where it’s OK to just go it alone. These are the cities best for the solo traveller, where there’s enough to keep you entertained, the locals are friendly and you’ll never feel lonely.

Ten best party cities in Europe

People go on city breaks for many different reasons, for a break, to discover new cultures, to learn about history and to marvel at fascinating architecture. But when the sun goes down most of us want to discover what the city has to offer in terms of nightlife and try a different style of partying. With a bit of research, a bit of discovery and a bit of diplomatic voting, we’ve come up with a list of ten of the best party cities in Europe for you.

5 great things to do in Amsterdam

Choose Amsterdam hotels for your next short break and you certainly won't be short of things to do.

DFDS Seaways offer mini wildlife cruise to Amsterdam

DFDS Seaways is joining forces with whale and dolphin charity, ORCA, to bring travellers a two-night wildlife cruise to Amsterdam. Guests aboard a DFDS Seaways ferry will set off on an adventure and take in all the fabulous wildlife of the North Sea with expert guidance from ORCA.