Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam holds the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh works spanning the painter’s artistic career, which lasted just over a decade. Van Gogh had very little formal artistic training, preferring to experiment and learn as he went along. The honing of his skill is evident in the collection on display which includes early works such as The Potato Eaters alongside beautiful and relatively unknown Japonaiseriepaintings and later masterpieces such as Bedroom in Arles and Still Life: Vase with Twelve Sunflowers.

Also on display at the museum are works by Van Gogh’s contemporaries in the impressionist and post-impressionist movements such as Gauguin, Monet and Toulouse Lautrec. A highlight of these is the original poster of the Tournée du Chat Noir by Théophile –Alexandre Steinlen. This vibrant, stunning collection is guaranteed to brighten a rainy day – or a sunny one for that matter!

Modern Art Market in Amsterdam

Amsterdam holds its modern art market on the Thorbeckeplein every Sunday from March 18th to the end of October. The square is the setting for numerous Dutch artists, including Hes van Huizen, to display their latest creations. Visitors can also sit for their own picture via one of the many portrait painters who frequent the area.

Amsterdam's Hortus Botanicus

The Hortus Botanicus is located on the edge of the bustling city of Amsterdam and is one of the oldest examples of botanical gardens in the world. Open year round, visitors can enjoy over 6,000 varieties of plants and 4,000 different species in the gardens as well as seven impressive climate controlled greenhouses. The gardens offer a great respite for visitors from the bustle of downtown Amsterdam. Hortus Botanicus' heritage lies in its roots as a medicinal herb garden, which was set up by the Amsterdam City Council in 1638. It was originally used as a training centre for doctors and pharmacists who trained in herbal remedies in the wake of Europe's epidemic of bubonic plague. Gardening enthusiasts will experience a resplendent collection of plants at the venue – many of which were brought over to Amsterdam along with herbs and spices by the Dutch East India Company in the 17th and 18th centuries. A plant that proves particularly popular among visitors is the garden's prized 300-year-old Eastern Cape giant cycad. Visitors can catch a number of trams from the city centre to reach the Hortus Botanicus while the Metro Waterlooplein stop is also close by. There is two hundred year-old Orangery in the centre of the gardens, which has an attractive outdoor cafe; serving a range of tasty food and refreshing drinks.

New Year in Amsterdam

If you find yourself in Amsterdam for News Year's Eve, You're in for a treat. The City begins celebrating as early as 29 December, when exciting kids set off the odd firecracker. The City's streets are crowded with people, here to see the spectacular firewroks displays and enjoy the air of excitement that is New Year's Eve in Amsterdam.

Next on: 29th Dec 2012 to 1st Jan 2013 (over 4 days)

Holland Festival in Amsterdam

This year's Holland Festival will see the streets of Amsterdam filled with the best in opera, dance, music and theatre between the 1st and 28th June 2012. This is the biggest international performing arts festival held in the Netherlands , and has been running since 1947. Amongst the highlights of this year's festival are C(H)OEURS, a new work by Alain Platel and his les ballets C de la B, Battleship Potemkin, the new filmscore by composer Michael Nyman and The Life and Death of Marina Abramovic a biographical play starring Willem Dafoe and singer Anthony.

Next on: 1st Jun 2012 to 28th Jun 2012 (over 28 days)

Keukenhof Gardens near Amsterdam

There are very few places in the world that can match the diversity and beauty of the flowers and floral arrangements of the Keukenhof gardens near Amsterdam, which open to the public for two months every spring. Visitors will be amazed at the acres of colours, with breathtaking blues, perfect pinks and outstanding oranges covering the land like a multi-coloured patchwork quilt. People travel from far and wide to experience the splendour and magnificence of the Keukenhof and its wonderful examples of natural beauty, with some coming to relax in a dream-like location and others in search of inspiration. Horticulture fans will see a range of crocuses, daffodils, tulips and other flowers as they stroll along the meandering paths which run throughout the park, while there are a number of themed displays, hothouses and tree-lined lanes. Another highlight is the Flower Parade, which will see huge floats and decorated luxury cars travel between Noordwijk and Haarlem. Travel through a floral wonderland on your Amsterdam break.

Next on: 22nd Mar 2012 to 20th May 2012 (over 60 days)

Queen's Day in Amsterdam

April 30th may not be a date that is etched in to the minds of most people in the UK, but to their Dutch cousins in Amsterdam, it is a very special date indeed. Koninginnedag, or Queen's Day, takes place each year to pay tribute to the monarch of the Netherlands. One of Queen Beatrix's homes, the Royal Palace, is located in Amsterdam, making the city the perfect place to enjoy the festivities. On the day, the royals themselves will be in Friseland, but the party is very much in Amsterdam. A range of events have been organised in order to make Koninginnedag a celebration fit for a queen. For example, the city becomes host to a number of markets, known as vrijmarkts, allowing everyone in the city to buy and sell their wares. The original vrijmarkt was established to allow children to trade their toys - and there are still various versions of the market that are chiefly for the young.The canals of Amsterdam are the scene for much of the revelry. On Queen's Day, the waterways become particularly busy as the crowds head out by boat.By night, Koninginnedag transforms into Koninginnenacht, with bars and clubs coming to life as the party continues. Why not join the Dutch in celebrating Queen's Day in Amsterdam?

Next on: 30th Apr 2012

Amsterdam Canal Parade

Every August sees a mass of colour along Amsterdam's main canals as up to a hundred floats carrying costumed party people take to the water in a flurry of music and activity. The highlights of the city's Pride celebrations, which are also held on this date, the event has been running since 1995 and attracts more than 350,000 spectators. The parade starts in the Westerdok and processes along the Prinsengracht Canal to the Amstel before finishing at the Oosterdok. The best places to watch the fun are from the bridges over the Prinsengracht and Amstel, or on the quay by the Muziektheater.

Next on: 5th Aug 2012

City beaches in Amsterdam

City beaches are becoming an increasingly popular phenomenon and Amsterdam is one of the best places to find them during the hot weather. Over the summer months, there are a number of beaches open to the public across Amsterdam, such as Blijburg aan Zee on the new IJburg island complex. This is a sandy beach with a café; bar and open kitchen, with bands or DJs providing a beach party atmosphere every Sunday evening. Probably the most popular beach in the city is Amsterdam Plage, an intimate sandy beach which projects out into the river. The city's newest beach is Strand West, overlooking the IJ and offering panoramic views of the water. This is a beach where you can truly unwind, laze in a hammock, enjoy a cocktail and have food straight off the barbeque. For an alternative approach to a beach, a visit to NEMO Summertime is a must. Situated at the top of the Green Boat building, this beach, with its palm trees, sand pit and even waterfall, provides possibly one of the highest beach experiences anywhere in the world. It also offers wonderful views over Amsterdam. The beaches of Amsterdam provide the perfect opportunity to combine a city break with a beach holiday, offering travellers the best of both worlds.

Next on: 1st May 2012 to 31st Aug 2012 (over 123 days)

Goods for sale in Amsterdam

Vrijmarkt literally means free market and when the event is held on April 29th, Amsterdam will turn into a giant car boot sale. As part of the Queen's Day celebrations everyone is allowed to sell their possessions without needing a permit, making it a paradise for bargain hunters.

Next on: 29th Apr 2012