Amsterdam days are just as lively as nights

I was told three things about Amsterdam before I went on my trip; it always rains, there aren’t any decent restaurants and it’s all about the ‘coffee shops’ and red light district.

After our easyJet flight from Luton, and 30 minutes on a train my partner and I stepped out of the grand Central Station to the city, we were met with a sea of umbrellas but I’m pleased to say that after our four-day stay, I had a very different impression of the Dutch capital.

While it proved true that, to some, a large part of the attraction to Amsterdam appears to be the ladies of the night and the relaxed atmosphere to drugs, there is a lot more on offer.

I haven’t been anywhere before with such a variety of museums.

Whether it’s the history of sex, tulips or diamonds you’re after, there’s something for everyone. The Van Gogh is not to be missed and provides an intriguing insight into the troubled artist’s life.

One piece of advice though, if you’re going to Amsterdam and want to ‘see’ the city, get yourself an I Amsterdam card.

It’s well worth the price of around 58 euros for three days and includes all your travel on buses and trams, canal cruises, free gifts and entry and most importantly on those rainy days you get to avoid most of the queues.

The Anne Frank House is also a must. Yes you have to fight your way through the throngs of tourists (and this one isn’t covered by the card), but it has to be done.

Inside, it is very moving, especially when you see the tiny rooms where the family spent more than two years in hiding.

When we had finished sightseeing and indulging in the cultural delights of the city (the cheese is fantastic), the Westcord Art Hotel was the perfect retreat from the crowds. A ten-minute bus ride from the centre, the modern and luxurious accommodation was in a league of its own.

On the doorstep was yet more to see with the Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek, a former gas factory, where we found ourselves wandering around after getting lost. It was delightful even in the rain which says something.

As for good places to eat we found a few gems. Pont 13, a two minute cab ride from our hotel, is an old ferry where almost everything is reused in the restaurant – even the stove, which used to be an old water tank in an inland shipping vessel.

The food matched up to the standard of the atmosphere and we revelled in the fact that it was off the tourist track as if we were the first to discover it.

I’m sure it’ll have many more visitors to come.

Haesje Claes, a stone’s throw away from the famous Dam Square is also a hidden treasure.

Housing six different dining rooms, the small exterior of the restaurant is misleading. We sampled traditional Dutch delights including a warming pea soup with sausage and a delicious beef stew. Once you’re full up, there are plenty of bars to liven up your evening and we spent the night in the bustling area of Leidseplein, south of the city.

We also ventured into the red light district to see how different it was after sunset. In fact, it’s more amusing than threatening and I’ll certainly not look at a shop window in the same way now! If you’re after off-land experiences, a cruise along some of the many canals is a great way to get a different view of the capital, aptly nicknamed Venice of the North.

After an eye-opening few days, we left Amsterdam more cultured, slightly heavier and soggier but the rain didn’t dampen our spirits or put us off returning in the future.