14 Unique Restaurants In Amsterdam

unique restaurants in Amsterdam

From tiny garden eateries specialising in home-grown fare to trendy cafés specialising in the latest culinary trends, these unique restaurants in Amsterdam are definitely worth visiting!

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19 Best Hidden Gems In Europe

Comano region of Trentino

The best hidden gems in Europe include stunning mountain towns in Italy, overlooked islands in Croatia, the ultimate detox spot in Sweden and some surprising places to hit the slopes.

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Things To Do In The Hague: A Surprising City/Beach Break

Enjoying the ferris wheel in Scheveningen

Beautiful beaches, buzzy restaurants, beach clubs, boutiques, hipster coffee houses, quirky exhibitions, photogenic streets and historic palaces… move over Barcelona, The Hague is your new city/beach break. Find out the best things to do in The Hague in my informative travel guide.

It’s quite rare a destination takes me totally by surprise. I’m a girl who loves researching minute details. I know the amenities of my hotel rooms before check in. I know where to go for the best views, before getting on the plane. I have a pretty well rounded view of what to expect from a destination before arriving.

Although we were only spending three days in The Hague in The Netherlands, our itinerary was designed to show us a bit of everything. The beaches, the history, the art scene, the food scene. I expected it to be a city break similar to other city breaks… but here I am back in London, and I feel genuinely surprised by my experience.

You see, I don’t know anyone who ‘holidays in The Hague’, but I would genuinely recommend it to those looking for an alternative to the likes of Barcelona and Lisbon. At times it reminded me of a Dutch version of Brighton. It’s got wide, pristine beaches with super-soft sand. It’s got a city buzz with streets filled with independent restaurants and squares for al fresco dining. It’s also incredibly photogenic. It’s perfect for couples, with cosy beach huts to snuggle up in and romantic dining spots. It’s great for families, with a fun-filled pier with a ferris wheel, plus Madurodam (miniature world) close by.

So here I am, flying the flag for The Hague. And if you still don’t know why to visit, here are a few of my top reasons.

Visit The Hague For… Two Breaks In One

My big reason for recommending The Hague is that it fulfils two sets of criteria. Hop on a bus or a tram in the centre of The Hague and in under thirty minutes you can be on Scheveningen or Kijkduin Beach. Both are wide with soft sand and plenty of cool beach clubs, surf schools, and places to hire sun loungers. Scheveningen is more of a ‘resort’ with its pier complete with ferris wheel, bungy jump and famous grand hotel ‘Kurhaus’. Meanwhile, back in the city centre you’ll find streets lined with boutiques and hipster cafes, historic palaces, parliament and galleries. If you want a bit of everything, it’s a great destination.

Kurhaus Hotel, Scheveningen Beach
Kurhaus Hotel, Scheveningen Beach

Beautiful views in The Hague

Even The Hague has a few canals!
Even The Hague has a few canals!

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15 Photos That Will Make You Want To Visit Rotterdam

Checking out Rotterdam's Cube Houses

Cool street art, nightlife, a buzzing foodie scene and futuristic architecture – it’s time to reveal the best photo spots in Rotterdam.

Other than the song by the Beautiful South, I didn’t know a lot about Rotterdam. I’ve visited Amsterdam countless times and loved it! It’s fair to say Rotterdam is Amsterdam’s lesser-visited, modern little sister. As the majority of the city was bombed during the war, it’s become a playground for forward-thinking architects. Along with the uber-cool architecture, there are plenty of fashionable restaurants, a great nightlife scene, top summer festivals and a little something I’d describe as community spirit! The best time to visit? I’d say the Summer. But don’t  just take my word for it, take a look at a few of my top pics from my recent travels.

Check out the video of my trip to Rotterdam and then scroll down to read more.

 

1. The city’s skyline is one of the most unusual I’ve seen in a while. Best place to check it out? From the tallest building – the Euromast, and be sure to visit in the evening as the lights start to illuminate the city. 

View from the Euromast, Rotterdam
View from the Euromast, Rotterdam

2. One of my favourite spots in the city is Markthal. It’s not just the city’s top food market, it’s also another architectural masterpiece!

Exterior of Markthal, Rotterdam
Exterior of Markthal, Rotterdam

3. The crazy ceiling of the Markthal was designed by artist Arno Coenen and features giant fruit and vegetables.

Inside looking out of Markthal, Rotterdam
Inside looking out of Markthal, Rotterdam

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