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Art & Culture Travel Blog

Things to do in Haarlem – Tips from a resident

Things to do in Haarlem: Saint Bavo church in Haarlem

If you’re looking for a lovely Dutch town to visit on a day trip from Amsterdam, go to Haarlem. Located only twenty minutes from the Dutch capital, it’s a charming town filled with history, beautiful architecture and excellent restaurants. I lived in Haarlem for five years and am still visiting it regularly, so consider this a local’s Haarlem Travel Guide. Continue reading to learn more about its history, best museums, cafes, restaurants and what to do in that lovely Dutch town.

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Frans Hals Exhibition at the Rijksmuseum: Review, highlights & tips for visiting

Frans Hals exhibition at the Rijksmuseum review

This year starts with one of the best art shows in 2024, the Frans Hals Exhibition at the Rijksmuseum. After its debut at the National Gallery in London, the exhibition travels to Amsterdam, where it will be on display until June 2024. During the last few years, Rijksmuseum organised a few exhibitions dedicated to Dutch Golden Age masters (All the Rembrandts in 2019 and Vermeer in 2023). It’s continuing its series of fantastic 17th-century masters exhibitions with one of its stars, Frans Hals.

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Museum Review & Highlights: The Wallace Collection in London

The Wallace Collection highlights

The Wallace Collection is a charming museum located in a beautiful historic mansion. It’s home to a fantastic collection of fine and decorative arts created between the 15th and 19th centuries. I visited it during my last trip to the UK’s capital, and it quickly became one of my favourite museums in London. To encourage you to see it too, here is the Wallace Collection museum review, including its history, collection highlights and tips for visiting.

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Valentine’s Day in Amsterdam Ideas – 2024 edition

Valentines Day in Amsterdam Ideas

Do you need some ideas for Valentine’s Day in Amsterdam? With its old-city charm, illuminated bridges and dreamy canals, Amsterdam is one of the most romantic cities in the world. From going on a canal cruise, having dinner at a romantic restaurant, and wandering around its historic neighbourhoods, there are so many romantic things to do in Amsterdam. Read my article for some great Valentine’s Day in Amsterdam ideas.

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10 Best things to do in Maastricht

Best things to do in Maastricht: The Sint-Servaasbrug (St. Servatius Bridge) in Maastricht

What are some of the best things to do in Maastricht? One of the most beautiful and unusual towns in the Netherlands is also a Dutch city which looks the least Dutch. Positioned at the border with Germany and Belgium, its architecture, culture and cuisine are very much influenced by its neighbours. Located two-and-a-half hours by train from Amsterdam, it’s a great town to visit on a weekend break in the Netherlands. To help you decide what to do in Maastricht, here are some of the Culture Tourist’s tips on the best things to do in Maastricht.

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Is the I amsterdam City Card worth it?

Is I Amsterdam City Card worth it

Is the I Amsterdam City Card worth it? During my last trip to Amsterdam, I used the 72 h I Amsterdam card and loved it. It’s a handy city card offering public transport and free or discounted entrance to most museums in Amsterdam. There is also a significant discount on some Amsterdam city tours, canal cruises, and bicycle rentals. Read my I Amsterdam City Card review to see if it’s the right choice for your trip to the Dutch capital.

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My 2023 summary & what am I up to in 2024

Culture Tourist 2023 overview

2023 was a year of ups and downs for me. I learned some valuable life lessons (more about them later in this article), and I drifted apart from some people in my life. However, it was also a year in which I learned to appreciate my true friends and family much more. It started as a challenging year in my professional life. But it ended with opening some fantastic opportunities I could only dream about before (more about them also later in this article). It was also a year filled with awesome trips, concerts, exhibitions and many wonderful experiences. However, I’m more than ready to leave 2023 behind and welcome 2024!

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