Amsterdam in one day

Amsterdam in one day

Where to start and what do you do when you only have 12 hours in a city like Amsterdam?

Check out the absolute must-sees of the Dutch capital, because to actually see the Anne Frank House and the Sunflowers painting by Van Gogh is an experience you can only obtain in Amsterdam.

Rent a canal bike or take a trip on the 17th century canals by canal boat. It's the best way to see the city; looking up at Amsterdam's facades from water level is breathtaking.

Amsterdam is a sparkling city, especially when you visit one of the factories of the Amsterdam Diamond Group. Not only can you see diamonds being cut, crafted and polished, but if you are 'lucky' you can buy one too!

Visit Anne Frank's house on the Prinsengracht Canal. Visiting the house is an overwhelming emotional experience even if you have read the diary or seen the film. A sliding bookcase marks the entrance to the cramped rooms in which, with the help of friends who risked everything, Anne and her family hid for over two years.

Shop till you drop at the Bijenkorf or Magna Plaza, department stores in the city center. Holland is home to some great young fashion designers and you will marvel at the Dutch styles.

Van Gogh's Sunflowers. Who has not seen the Sunflowers on a million postcards and copies in books and on articles, but seeing it for real is another thing all together. The almost fierce yet considered brushwork, the use of color that literally radiates sunshine; when you stand in front of the painting in the Van Gogh Museum you understand the world's obsession and passion for the famous work.

Need a rest from culture, shops and history? Relax and enjoy a coffee at Café Luxembourg. It's a great place to people watch, check out the model wannabes or waiters with starched-white aprons!