Patrick (Paddy) Moore 
Where Every Canal Tells a Story
A Traveltinis Journey through the Dutch Golden Age
There are cities you visit… and there are cities that quietly reshape the way you look at the world.
Amsterdam belongs firmly in the second category.
Built on water and sustained by imagination, the Dutch capital has spent more than seven centuries proving that beauty and practicality can coexist. Elegant canals weave through neighbourhoods lined with narrow gabled houses, bicycles outnumber cars, and every bridge seems to frame another postcard-worthy view.
Whether you’re arriving on a European river cruise, beginning an ocean voyage, or simply lingering for a few unforgettable days, Amsterdam rewards those who slow their pace.
Wander Along the Water
The canals are Amsterdam’s heartbeat.
Glide beneath centuries-old bridges on a canal cruise, or simply stroll beside the water with no destination in mind. Morning light reflects from the historic merchant houses, while evenings transform the canals into ribbons of shimmering gold.
The Jordaan district invites leisurely exploration with artisan boutiques, hidden courtyards, inviting cafés, and quiet canals where locals still gather over coffee and conversation.
A City of Remarkable Contrasts
Amsterdam wears its history honestly.
The Anne Frank House offers one of Europe’s most moving historical experiences, while the Rijksmuseum celebrates masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer. Nearby, the futuristic EYE Film Institute reminds visitors that this is also a city looking confidently toward tomorrow.
The famous Floating Flower Market bursts with colour, while neighbourhoods throughout the city reveal a welcoming spirit that embraces creativity, diversity, and independent thinking.
Taste the Netherlands
No visit is complete without sampling Dutch favourites.
- Fresh stroopwafels
- Traditional Dutch cheeses
- Pickled herring for the adventurous
- Indonesian Rijsttafel, a remarkable feast reflecting centuries of cultural history
Celebrate the City
The Golden Tulip
Like Amsterdam itself, this elegant cocktail balances sophistication with warmth.
Created during the 1980s by Gerry Kooyman at the Pulitzer Hotel, The Golden Tulip pays tribute to the Dutch Golden Age—a remarkable period when Dutch trade, art, science, and exploration flourished.
Ingredients
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz apricot brandy
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
How to Make It
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add all ingredients.
Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Serve immediately.
Proost! (The Dutch way to say “Cheers!”)
Alternatini
Dutch Orchard Fizz (Alcohol-Free)
Inspired by Amsterdam’s gardens and orchards.
Ingredients
- 3 oz cloudy apple juice
- 2 oz sparkling water
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz elderflower cordial
- Thin apple slice
- Fresh mint
Directions
Build over ice in a tall glass.
Top with sparkling water.
Stir gently.
Garnish with mint and a crisp apple slice.
Fresh, bright, and wonderfully refreshing after a day of museum-hopping or canal cruising.
Travel Tip
Many travellers treat Amsterdam as simply the place where their European cruise begins or ends.
Don’t.
Give yourself at least two or three nights before or after your cruise. The city’s relaxed pace, walkable neighbourhoods, world-class museums, and enchanting canals deserve far more than a hurried afternoon between flights.
Sometimes the best memories come from the places you almost overlooked.
Best Bars in Amsterdam
If you’re looking for an exceptional cocktail while visiting, these local favourites are worth discovering:
- Pulitzer Hotel Bar – Elegant canal-side sophistication.
- Tunes Bar – Contemporary luxury inside the Conservatorium Hotel.
- Café ‘t Smalle – A classic brown café in the Jordaan.
- The 23rd Bar – Spectacular city views from Hotel Okura.
- Soundgarden – Relaxed neighbourhood institution.
- Flying Dutchmen Cocktails – Creative drinks in the heart of the city.
“Thinking of Holland, I see wide rivers slowly passing through endless lowlands.”
— Hendrik Marsman
Amsterdam reminds us that great journeys are rarely rushed. Slow down, follow the canals, linger over a meal, and let one of Europe’s most captivating cities reveal itself one bridge at a time.
