The Netherlands

Golden Age canals lined by tilting gabled buildings are the backdrop for Amsterdam's treasure-packed museums, vintage-filled shops and hyper-creative drinking, dining and design scenes.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam Noord, a quick free ferry ride across the IJ River from central Amsterdam, is a previously neglected area that has been reinvented as the city's hippest neighbourhood. It encompasses ex-industrial areas, cutting-edge architecture, and hangars turned hipster hangouts with walls covered in street art, all minutes away from fields, horses and the odd windmill. Noord is perfect for exploring by bike, stopping to eat and drink in its alternative venues. It's a great area to escape the crowds of central Amsterdam, too.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam's oldest quarter is remarkably preserved, looking much as it did in its Golden Age heyday. It's the busiest part of town for visitors. While some come to see the Royal Palace and Oude Kerk, others make a beeline for the coffeeshops and Red Light District.

Amsterdam

A hotbed of creativity, multicultural De Pijp is less than five minutes from Centraal Station by metro yet preserves its village-like atmosphere. The neighbourhood's centrepiece is Amsterdam's largest street market, the colourful Albert Cuypmarkt, and the fashion boutiques, vintage shops, experimental restaurants and free-spirited cafés (pubs) that surround it.