Posts Tagged‘amsterdam’

Fortress Island Pampus: Where History Meets a Sustainable Future

Fortress Island Pampus

Just a short ferry ride from the bustling streets of Amsterdam, a couple of weeks ago, I found myself at a very special place:  Fortress Island Pampus. It’s a marvel of 19th-century engineering and an exemplar of a defensive strategy that relied as much on nature as it did on stone and steel. It’s a fascinating witness to the Dutch capital’s military past. But it isn’t a place stuck in the past. What surprised me most was how it simultaneously showcases a progressive approach to sustainability.

Rijksmuseum Hidden Secrets: The Best Rijksmuseum Guided Tour

Best Rijksmuseum guided tour

Imagine standing in front of “The Night Watch” and realising it isn’t just a piece of canvas – it’s a coded message of rebellion, a love letter to Amsterdam, filled with numerous symbols we are still uncovering today. If you’re looking for the best guided Rijksmuseum tour, you have to look beyond the surface. As a guide, I don’t just show you where the artworks are; I show you why they still matter.

From town hall to royal throne: The Royal Palace in Amsterdam

Royal Palace in Amsterdam

Located on Amsterdam’s main square, the Dam, the Royal Palace in Amsterdam is one of the city’s major highlights. Built in the 17th century as the City Hall, the building has a fascinating history. At the time of its construction, the building was considered the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Continue reading to learn more about the Royal Palace in Amsterdam and tips for visiting it.

15 Best Souvenirs from Amsterdam

The best souvenirs from Amsterdam

Bringing a lovely souvenir back home from your trip makes you feel like you’re at that particular destination for just a bit longer. And the same applies to the Dutch capital. You’ll find a souvenir shop on every corner in Amsterdam. However, finding the right one to bring back home could be a challenging task. It should be something produced in the Netherlands that is meaningful and has a story linked to the Dutch capital. After buying presents and souvenirs in Amsterdam for my friends and family for years, here is my list of the best souvenirs from Amsterdam.

Stedelijk Museum Highlights: What to see at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam

Stedelijk Museum Highlights

Art enthusiasts know Amsterdam museums as home to the Old Masters, such as Rembrandt or Vermeer, and home to most of Van Gogh’s artworks. However, the Netherlands was also a birthplace of crucial modern art styles, like de Stijl, and artists such as Piet Mondrian or Gerrit Rietveld. Amsterdam is still one of the European capitals of contemporary art. The place to go to Amsterdam to enjoy some of the top modern and contemporary art is the Stedelijk Museum.