Amsterdam

About the author: Laura Danielle is co-founder of Comedy Walks: discover the city with a professional comedian. The most unique and fun way to experience a city! Last Friday the Dutch government announced an evening lockdown in the Netherlands starting from Sunday 28 November. The lockdown basically means that all the fun stops at 5pm sharp!

Visiting Amsterdam in the winter offers a unique and charming experience that can be equally as enticing as other seasons. First of all, the holiday season brings a festive ambiance to Amsterdam. The streets and squares are adorned with sparkling lights, Christmas markets, and beautifully decorated shop windows. You can soak in the holiday spirit and even enjoy ice skating on temporary rinks. Secondly, during winter in Amsterdam, the city is transformed into a picturesque wonderland, especially if it snows. The city’s historic canals and iconic architecture take on a magical quality when dusted with snow or adorned with festive decorations. And even in winter, you can still enjoy Amsterdam’s iconic canals during winter by taking covered or heated canal cruises. It’s a cosy way to see the city’s beauty. Another compelling reason to consider a winter trip to Amsterdam…

If you are looking for a unique experience in Amsterdam, I always recommend a Comedy Walk, a city walk with a comedian as guide. You can’t blame me as I am the co-founder of Comedy Walks. But if you are into spa and wellness, I would also highly recommend a visit to Sauna Deco. About…

About the author: Laura Danielle is co-founder of Comedy Walks: city walks with a professional comedian as guide!  The ARTZUID outdoor sculpture exhibition takes place every two years and seems to grow larger each edition. You will find most of the sculptures at the Apollolaan and Minervalaan in Amsterdam Zuid (Amsterdam South). If you love outdoor exhibitions…

The 9 little streets (in Dutch: 9 Straatjes) are very popular, both with locals, tourists and expats, and are located in the canal belt area right behind the Royal Palace on the Dam (click here to read my blog about the Royal Palace). It actually consists of 9 small picturesque shopping streets: the Gasthuismolensteeg, Hartensteeg,…

Picture this: a very high resolution photographic replica of Rembrandt’s famous Night Watch with real people and accessories in its original format (on a 4m x 5m  canvas). This is for real! I visited the exhibition Rembrandt 360 in July but due to its mega success the exhibition is extended till the end of October. …

The Royal Palace Amsterdam on Dam square is often called the most prestigious monument from the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century. This palace was originally built as a Town Hall and that probably explains why I was never really impressed by it’s exterior appearance. However, the moment you step inside you plunge into…

In summer it can be very hot in Amsterdam; this week it will be >35° C (>85° F). What is a better place to cool down then at a terrace by the water with a refreshing drink in your hand? So here is a list of my favorite, most beautiful terraces by the water in…

Time to relax? The beautiful hortus botanicus in Amsterdam is the best place to just relax during your stay in Amsterdam. There are plenty of places where you can sit quietly and smell the fragrant flowers in this beautiful garden. I prefer to take a coffee-to-go from the hortus cafe, the Orangery, along the curving…

Where are the best places for coffee in Amsterdam? Visitors, expats and even locals often ask me about the best places for coffee in Amsterdam. I am not a coffee expert, but I really appreciate a good espresso, cortado and occasionally a cappuccino. Equally important to me is the ambiance. So here is a list…