Netherlands

Amsterdam's canal tours are an essential experience for visitors. The UNESCO-listed features were crucial to the city's transport and defensive strategies in the 17th century but, today, are a pleasing way to appreciate the historic and picturesque destination. Tourists who are interested in tours have two main options. They can go for the large, glass-topped canal boats, which can accommodate hundreds of passengers, and travel along predetermined routes. Or, they can choose the more personal and traditional tuindersvletten boats, which used to carry animals and vegetables around Amsterdam, and hold 10 people per tour. Tuindersvletten boats can navigate the tiniest canals and fit under the city's lowest bridges.

Coffeeshops are one of Amsterdam's most iconic features. They openly sell cannabis and welcome their patrons to smoke it on the premises. 'Cafes', on the other hand, sell cakes, tea and coffee. Coffeeshops range from the laid-back and mellow to the loud and psychedelic. The expectation is that customers will consume a snack or beverage along with whatever they order off the hash menu. Staff can give advice on the different strains and strengths. Regarding regulations, coffeeshops can only carry controlled amounts of marijuana for sale to adults over the age of 18. The substance is also illegal in the Netherlands. Recreational use is simply tolerated if it isn't socially disruptive.

This museum is dedicated to the memory of Anne Frank, whose famous diary describes the experiences of a Jewish teenager during World War II. The Franks and others hid in part of the house (today's museum) to escape Nazi persecution. Visitors can explore the concealed attic where eight people lived, and get some sense of the cramped and fearful existence described by Anne Frank. The original diary is on display as part of the permanent exhibition and there is plenty of information on the lives of the people involved. With the exception of Anne Frank's father, Otto, the occupants were discovered and sent to their deaths in concentration camps. Visitors need not have read the diary to appreciate the museum. Admission queues get excruciatingly long, especially in peak tourist season. Booking online will enable visitors to use a separate entrance.

Address : Prinsengracht 267 (Westerkerk)

Website : www.annefrank.nl

Telephone : +31 20 556 7105

Opening times : Open daily from 9am to 7pm, and Saturdays 9am to 10pm (November through March); from 9am to 10pm daily, and Saturdays 9am to 10pm (April through October). Note that the queues can be very long, but that tickets can be bought online in advance.

Admission : €10.50 (adults), €5.50 (children aged 10 to 17)

As one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Netherlands, the Heineken Experience is not to be missed. Housed in the original brewery, guests will learn about the Heineken Company's history and its unique process, visit cutting-edge interactive exhibits and enjoy free beer at two pit stops along the way. Visitors will also take a gift of Heineken memorabilia home with them. The site's layout is impressive and the tour unfolds in a sophisticated manner, meaning its appeal extends beyond the interest of beer lovers. Travellers can avoid queues and potentially pay reduced ticket prices by booking online.

Address : Stadhouderskade 78

Website : www.heinekenexperience.com

Telephone : +31 20 721 5300

Opening times : Monday to Thursday 10.30am to 7.30pm; Friday to Sunday 10.30am to 9pm. In July and August open 10.30am to 9pm daily.

Admission : €18 (at the door), €16 (online booking), €12.50 (children aged 12 to 17).

Keukenhof is one of the country's top attractions and the best reason to visit in the spring. The huge garden is home to millions of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, and is a sea of colour and fragrance. Visitors will also see many works of art scattered among the blooms in this creatively designed site. They can stop for refreshments at one of the area's many cafes and restaurants, and shop at stalls that sell seeds, bulbs, gardening equipment and a range of other souvenirs. Tourists can view demonstrations around flower arranging and the latest trends in gardening as well. Boat and cycling tours are an option; photographers are in for a treat.

Address : Stationsweg 166A, 2161 Am Lisse, Netherlands

Website : www.keukenhof.nl

Telephone : +31 252 465 555

Opening times : Open daily from about 20 March to mid-May annually, between 8am and 7.30pm (ticket office closes at 6pm).

Admission : €17 (adults), €8 (children aged 4 to 17), free for children under 3.

Het Scheepvaartmuseum (the National Maritime Museum) gives visitors a glimpse into the country's seafaring past. The exhibit covers four centuries of history and includes paintings, ship models, antiquarian maps and navigation instruments, creating one of the world's most extensive collections of maritime memorabilia. Visitors will learn about fishing and whaling, naval combat, and the maritime trade in the Netherlands, as well as its journeys to places such as modern-day India, South Africa and Indonesia. Visitors can also explore a life-size reconstruction of a Dutch East India Company ship. The exhibition on the slave trade may not be suitable for children, though other displays are dedicated to younger age groups, and include fun, interactive activities.

Address : Kattenburgerplein 1

Website : https://www.hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl/

Telephone : +31 20 523 2222

Opening times : Open every day from 9am to 5pm.

Admission : €16.50 (adults), €8 (ages 4 to 17 and students).

No trip to Amsterdam would be complete without a stroll around the Red Light District (De Wallen). The area's prostitutes are part of a legal and regulated industry that includes compulsory health checks and taxable income. Tourists also visit the district to admire its attractive architecture, which dates back to the Middle Ages. Waterlooplein, Zeedijk Street and Nieuwmarkt Square are all worth exploring. The modern-day City Hall and Muziek Theatre are both located in Waterlooplein. Nieuwmarkt Square was once home to a thriving community of mainly Portuguese Jews, who had fled from persecution during the Spanish Inquisition. The area's cultural diversity extends to Zeedijk Street, which is often referred to as Chinatown. On a cautionary note, visitors should be respectful and recognise that photography in and around the actual brothels is frowned on, and could lead to confrontation.

The museum provides insight into the life and times of the famous Dutch master, who lived in this house between 1639 and 1658 - which was the pinnacle of his career. Rembrandt went bankrupt in 1656 and a list of his possessions was drawn up to pay his debts. This list has allowed historians to faithfully restore the house with exactly the kinds of furnishings the artist owned. Visitors can view a permanent collection of paintings done by Rembrandt's teacher, Pieter Lastman, as well as some pieces completed by his pupils. The painting studio holds daily demonstrations on how etchings and paintings were made in the 17th century, including an interesting demonstration on Rembrandt's use of colour.

Address : Jodenbreestraat 4

Website : www.rembrandthuis.nl

Telephone : +31 20 520 0400

Opening times : Open daily from 10am to 6pm.

Admission : €14 (adults), €5 (children 6-17). Concessions available.

The Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art closely traces art-world developments that took place in the second half of the 20th century. Art lovers should note that it showcases the most impressive collection of modern art in Amsterdam. The institution's permanent exhibition focuses on De Stijl, Cobra, Nouveau Realisme, Pop Art, Color Field Painting, Zero and Minimalist Art, while temporary exhibitions on design and applied art are housed in the new wing. Many masters of modern art have a presence in the museum, including Cezanne, Chagall, Picasso, Warhol, Pollock and Lichtenstein. The building is cool and artistic and seldom crowded, which makes it a breath of fresh air after some of Amsterdam's packed tourist spaces. Tourists may also want to time their visits to coincide with one of the many workshops, book launches or other events the museum hosts. They will find a shop, library and restaurant on the premises. Audio guides are available in six languages, and free guided tours take place weekly. They're conducted in Dutch and English and cannot be booked in advance.

Address : Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam

Website : www.stedelijk.nl/en

Telephone : +31 20 573 2911

Opening times : Open daily from 10am to 6pm. Fridays 10am to 10pm.

Admission : €18.50 (adults), €10 (students).

Nazi Germany occupied the Netherlands between May 1940 and May 1945. The museum covers how the invasion affected the Dutch population's everyday lives, as well as the resistance movement. Visitors will learn details about the movement's extraordinary espionage activities, and view maps, photographs, weaponry, everyday objects, and false documents used by the resistance. The collection also personalises the history by including individual stories and experiences. The permanent exhibition is bilingual, catering to both Dutch and English visitors, and there are free audio guides available in English, German, French, Spanish and Dutch. Guided tours are available by appointment only and reservations must be made a few weeks in advance.

Address : Plantage Kerklaan 61

Website : www.verzetsmuseum.org

Telephone : +31 20 620 2535

Opening times : Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm; Open Saturday and Sunday, and public holidays from 11am to 5pm.

Admission : €11 (adults), €6 (children aged 7 to 16). Concessions available.

The Rijksmuseum opened in 1885 and is best known for its collection of 17th-century Dutch Masters, such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals and Jan Steen. The most notable of these paintings is Rembrandt's masterpiece The Night Watch, which has pride of place. The museum contains thousands of other paintings spanning from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, in its Asiatic collection, Print Room, Dutch History, and Applied Arts sections. The collection also includes stunning furniture, jewellery, ceramics and other artefacts, though it is most coveted for its paintings. Visitors should consult a map or purchase an audio tour to help navigate the extensive collection. They should also allow at least a few hours to explore thoroughly.

Address : Museumstraat 1

Website : www.rijksmuseum.nl

Telephone : +31 20 674 7000

Opening times : Open daily from 9am to 5pm.

Admission : €19 (adults). Under 18s are free and concessions are available.

The Van Gogh Museum is a definitive tourist attraction in Amsterdam. Situated in a modern building, the simple architecture subtly underscores the artist's colourful and extraordinary work. The museum houses the largest collection of Van Gogh's work in the world, comprising more than 200 paintings, 437 drawings and 31 prints. Many of his most famous and recognisable paintings are on display. The collection is organised according to three criteria. The first of these is the artist's work, which is divided into five notable periods. Then there is the display of other artists' work, including pieces from his friends and contemporaries. Finally, the third section showcases the museum's history. The written information provided is good and sufficient for many visitors, but the audio guide is definitely worth hiring for Van Gogh fanatics who want a more in-depth analysis. Photography of the art itself is not permitted, though visitors can take pictures in the main hall. Large bags will have to be left in the cloakroom facilities as they are not permitted in the museum.

Address : Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam

Website : www.vangoghmuseum.nl

Telephone : +31 20 570 5200

Opening times : Open daily from about 10am to 6pm (until 10pm on Fridays). There are slight variations in opening times according to season - check the website for details.

Admission : €19 (adults), children under 18 are free.