A short break in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a city that attracts visitors from all over the world, drawn to its pretty streets, historical hotspots, art and buzzing nightlife. And after my recent trip courtesy of Dalata Group it’s easy to see why.
It was just a hop, skip and a jump from Southampton Airport to Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport. Here I was met by Franco Ferraro from the Dalata Group and whisked a short drive to the Clayton Hotel Amsterdam American, a stylish 4-star hotel situated on the banks of the canal in the heart of the theatre district.
After a light lunch, I checked into my room, a comfortable and stylish blend of avant-garde and modern décor. There’s a mix of rooms to suit every budget, from classic all the way up to the ultra luxurious American Suite.
We met up for pre-dinner drinks and snacks in one of the hotel’s two event spaces, the exotic Marrakesh-inspired Mata Hide Away, a 91-square metre space that can hold up to 20 people for small meetings and intimate gatherings. From here, we headed to Café Americain, the hotel’s funky Art Deco restaurant, for dinner. Ranked among the best places to eat and drink in the whole city, I was excited to see what it had to offer - and it certainly lived up to the hype as we feasted on a variety of different dishes selected for us by the chef. We finished our evening with cocktails at Bar Americain.
The next morning, we set off on a whistle-stop walking tour of the city’s narrow streets and canals, taking in the many sights and attractions and dodging the thousands of bikes that have right of way over cars and pedestrians. Tall thin houses line the streets and at first glance they all look uniform, but on closer inspection you can see that each one is quite unique
We visited Singel 7, one of the narrowest homes in Amsterdam, where we learned that the thin houses date back to the days when tax was based on the width of your home! We stopped off to savour Appeltaart, one of the most sought-after desserts in the Netherlands, before making our way back to the hotel.
Here we had a canal boat waiting to take us on a leisurely cruise of the city’s myriad of canals. There’s even more than in Venice. As well as more bridges than Paris! Our guide regaled us with interesting facts and stories about the city, its history and its famous inhabitants. And we saw De Poezenboot, a houseboat that provides a shelter for stray cats. It was a brilliant way to while away a few hours and get around the city and would make a great incentive activity
In the evening, we headed to Brouwerij De Prael, a great brewery in the heart of the city centre, where we enjoyed a beer tasting session. The staff were super friendly and talked to us about the different types of beer we were trying. Dinner was at d'Vijff Vlieghen, which is often referred to as a culinary museum, thanks to the beautiful gold-plated leather artwork which adorns the walls and dates back to the 17th and 19th Centuries. The food served here is all made from seasonal Dutch ingredients. We finished the day with a nightcap in Bar Americain.
We visited Singel 7, one of the narrowest homes in Amsterdam, where we learned that the thin houses date back to the days when tax was based on the width of your home! We stopped off to savour Appeltaart, one of the most sought-after desserts in the Netherlands, before making our way back to the hotel.
Here we had a canal boat waiting to take us on a leisurely cruise of the city’s myriad of canals. There’s even more than in Venice. As well as more bridges than Paris! Our guide regaled us with interesting facts and stories about the city, its history and its famous inhabitants. And we saw De Poezenboot, a houseboat that provides a shelter for stray cats. It was a brilliant way to while away a few hours and get around the city and would make a great incentive activity
In the evening, we headed to Brouwerij De Prael, a great brewery in the heart of the city centre, where we enjoyed a beer tasting session. The staff were super friendly and talked to us about the different types of beer we were trying. Dinner was at d'Vijff Vlieghen, which is often referred to as a culinary museum, thanks to the beautiful gold-plated leather artwork which adorns the walls and dates back to the 17th and 19th Centuries. The food served here is all made from seasonal Dutch ingredients. We finished the day with a nightcap in Bar Americain.
“I couldn’t visit Amsterdam without satisfying my need for a pancake fix – or rather ‘pannenkoeken.”
I couldn’t visit Amsterdam without satisfying my need for a pancake fix – or rather ‘pannenkoeken’ - and I found somewhere that served a mouthwatering selection of sweet and savoury varieties. We then headed to the world-famous Bloemenmarkt, the only floating flower market in the world. It’s a real treat for the senses with the beautifully coloured and fragrant fresh-cut flowers and bulbs that can be exported across the world. Finally, we made our way back to the hotel to say our goodbyes before heading home.
There’s so much to see and do in Amsterdam, it felt like we’d barely scratched the surface. A big thank you to the Dalata Group and Clayton Amsterdam for their wonderful hospitality. I had a memorable few days and it certainly left me wanting to return to this vibrant and colourful city.
There’s so much to see and do in Amsterdam, it felt like we’d barely scratched the surface. A big thank you to the Dalata Group and Clayton Amsterdam for their wonderful hospitality. I had a memorable few days and it certainly left me wanting to return to this vibrant and colourful city.
If you’d like to know more about Amsterdam, please do get in touch.