What To See in Amsterdam : Five Museums you Can't Miss including Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, Museum Van Loon, Venustempel Sex Museum, and Red Light Secrets: Museum of Prostitution.

Culture Vulture: Swoop in on these Five Amsterdam Museums You Can't Miss

The four things you must do in Amsterdam is to tiptoe through the tulips at Keukenhof, check in at the uber-hip new W Hotel, enjoy these unexpected and luxurious culinary experiences, and of course soak in the best of Dutch art, design, and culture. From classic to contemporary to downright raunchy, here is my pick of the 5 Must See Museums in Amsterdam. You can easily, like I did, cover all of these in two days. Entry to some of these museums are free or discounted with the I Amsterdam City Card which also offers free unlimited public transport - but with a city this scenic, why not explore on foot?

April 21, 2016

3 LUXURY RESTAURANTS TO TRY IN AMSTERDAM

Whether you've got the munchies or are just plain ravenous from tip-toeing through the tulips, if you're seeking a gastronomical experience that is refined and just a bit unexpected, I've got just the three restaurants for you. Fuel up, buttercup...

April 14, 2016


HERITAGE & HAUTE MEET IN AMSTERDAM at THE NEW, UBER-HIP W HOTEL

On Wednesday I arrived in Amsterdam to one of my favourite homes away from homes - W Hotels. As I did in Saint Petersburg, Russia, I stayed in the latest bijou offering from one of the world's sleekest hotel branches. The brand arrived to Amsterdam only last October, and I couldn't have been more excited to review the spanking new W Amsterdam!

April 07, 2016

Taking the Fendi 'Fashion Show Dot Com' handbag from the new Flowerland Spring/ Summer 2016 Collection for a spin at Keukenhof gardens, The Netherlands.


WHEN: mid March - mid May

  

There's nothing more quintessentially Dutch as the national flower of The Netherlands - the tulip. The best place to see these iconic blooms is Keukenhof, also known as "The Garden of Europe", in South Holland during mid April when miles of tulips burst into a riot of colour to welcome the arrival of Spring. Keukenhof may be saturated with visitors when they open from mid March to mid May. But with 7 million bulbs - tulips, hyacinths, and roses just to name a few - planted over 79 acres of park there are enough flowers for everyone to stop and smell. Best head there early to avoid the crowds: arrive no later than 9:00am for a somewhat tranquil experience in one of world's largest flower gardens.













I nipped over to Amsterdam on Wednesday to catch up with my mom and aunt who are in town for the tulip festival. Ever the style icon, mummy brought with her the most fitting accessory to the land of tulips: this gorgeous nude satchel embellished with flowers - the 'Fashion Show Dot Com' from Fendi Flowerland Spring/Summer 2016. The bag was so fresh off the racks that I was the one who lifted it from her suitcase, unwrapped it, and declared the handbag mine for a day. I can't think of a better occasion to carry it than for a visit to Keukenhof.


"Feminine but never too girly"

Just the collection then, for the tomboy named after a flower but whose 'delicate and becoming' qualities are merely skin deep. In reality I'm awkward, clumsy, and far more childish than the playful nature of Flowerland. A rose by any other name may smell as sweet, but this jasmine would be better suited to the name 'butt-mushroom'.


Tiptoe through the tulips - Keukenhof gardens, The Netherlands.




Taking the Fendi 'Fashion Show Dot Com' handbag from the new Flowerland Spring/ Summer 2016 Collection for a spin at Keukenhof gardens, The Netherlands.

Tiptoe through the tulips - Keukenhof gardens, The Netherlands.

Taking the Fendi 'Fashion Show Dot Com' handbag from the new Flowerland Spring/ Summer 2016 Collection for a spin at Keukenhof gardens, The Netherlands.

On a final note: I couldn't be happier for all the vibrant colours of Keukenhof flower gardens, which I hope comes across in these photos as a departure from the less saturated pictures in my recent blog posts. Lord knows with everything that has happened lately, I could certainly use more colour and joy in my life. I pray now that spring is here, the dark clouds that have haunted me for so long will clear to let the sunshine through again. x

April 01, 2016

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