Amsterdam

If you're looking for a charming destination from Montpellier Airport, the Dutch capital is an ideal holiday destination with many points of interest, including its lively historic centre around Dam Square and the Royal Palace. The Red Light District, once famous for its neon-lit shop windows, is now home to trendy clothing and streetwear boutiques. It is also home to the Oude Kerk, Amsterdam's oldest church.

Museums are a major attraction, from the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum to the Stedelijk and the Anne Frank House. When walking or cycling, don't miss the Vondelpark, nicknamed Amsterdam's ‘Central Park’.

Lovers of design and antiques will be dazzled by the city's many boutiques, galleries and markets. The Jordaan district, with its unusual shops and exotic restaurants, is also well worth seeing. Finally, don’t miss the famous floating flower market, one of the most famous in the world.

Amsterdam's nightlife is exciting: start your evening in a Dutch ‘brown café’ with a beer* or juniper liqueur*, then explore the city's clubs, trendy bars and concert cafés. Just take your pick!

*l'abus d'alcool est dangereux pour la santé, à consommer avec modération

Sites et monuments

• Westerkerk (the highest church tower in Amsterdam).
• Tuschinski Cinema.
• Amsterdam Library.
• Port of Amsterdam.

Museum

• Stedelijk Museum.
• Amsterdam Museum.
• Sex Museum.
• Cannabis Museum.
• Glasses Museum

Parks

• Keukenhof Garden.

• Street Art: It is several years now since street art descended upon Amsterdam, so much so that a museum has been set up to celebrate this art adorning the walls of the city with magnificent mural frescoes. The best streets to see are Spuistraat and Wijdesteeg.
• Eat Herring: You’ll either love it or hate it! Whatever the case this a typical speciality of the city, you’ll find it everywhere you go, cooked or raw. You’ll have to try it at least once! 
• Sleep on a crane: If you have a fear of heights, this is definitely not for you! At 17 metres above ground, the Havenkraan Crane Hotel offers 60 square metres of luxury high-tech space and a breath-taking view.

Seafood

• Plaice, sole, trout, crab, shrimp, oysters, Zeeland mussels...
• Smoked fish: eel, mackerel, herring, salmon, halibut.

Dishes

• Erwtensoep or snert: thick soup made from split peas.
• Rijsttafel: a dish made of dry cooked rice, with a myriad of small side dishes containing meat, mixed vegetables, sauces and spices.
• Leiden Stamppot / Hutsepot: potato hotpot with meat cooked in broth and vegetables (usually cabbage).
• Boerenkool met worst: kale with sausage.

• Zuurkool with spek: sauerkraut and bacon.

   

Cheeses and breads

• Gouda.
• Edam.
• Maasdam.
• White, brown or black bread with sesame, poppy, sunflower or pumpkin seeds...

Desserts

• Pannekoek: pancake usually drizzled with stroop, sugarbeet syrup similar to maple syrup.
• Poffertjes: slightly puffed mini-crepes covered with butter and sugar.
• Spice bread, either sweet or made with different spices (from Groningen, Friesland and Deventer, gingerbread).
• St. Nicolas speculoos.
• Hagelslag: chocolate rice.
• Haagse Hopje: coffee flavoured caramel.
• Liquorice.

Drinks*

• Large selection of beers: Heineken, Brand, Amstel, Kroon Pills, Christoffel Limburg, Brabant Trappe, Witte Trappist, Columbus, Jopen Koyt, spring beer and autumn beer (Bockbier).
• Jenever, juniper Eau-de-vie.
• Advocaat: egg liqueur.

*alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation