Amsterdam.
A birthday, canals and a swing over the edge.
Amsterdam (July 2024).
A birthday trip for Anita, and a chance to meet up with Stephen and Tina, over from Australia.
The canals.
Still the best way to see the city. Tall, thin houses leaning in, bikes everywhere and a café on every corner.
A'DAM Lookout.
Over the IJ on the ferry and up the A'DAM Tower, where there's a swing that hangs you out over the edge, a hundred metres up. We did it. Recommended, once.
Rooftop drinks afterwards, with the whole city laid out below.
Food.
Bao buns, bitterballen and plenty of beer.
A good birthday, and even better company.
Getting there.
easyJet from Luton, just over an hour.
Other options: BA, KLM and easyJet fly from all the London airports. Or skip the airport: Eurostar runs direct from St Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal in about four hours. From Schiphol, the train to Centraal takes under 20 minutes and costs about €6. A taxi is €40 to €55.
Where to stay.
We stayed at the Leonardo Hotel Rembrandtpark, a short tram ride from the centre.
Budget: ClinkNOORD hostel in Noord, a free ferry from Centraal. Amsterdam isn't cheap, so expect around £200 for a private room. Mid-range: Volkshotel in Oost, with a rooftop bar and hot tubs, around £250. Fancy: Pulitzer Amsterdam on Prinsengracht, around £600.
Worth booking.
A'DAM Lookout, swing included, and a canal cruise with unlimited drinks from Centraal.
With more time: the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House (book well ahead), the Jordaan, and Keukenhof if you're there in spring.
