Its a year since my trip there so I thought there would be no better time to add it to the list - Amsterdam.
The stereotypical reason most people choose to visit Amsterdam is for the fun, thrill and intoxication of such a liberal city. However, the main reason I chose to visit was for something else - culture. This is something that Amsterdam is abundant with. The architecture, the museums, the cafes, the churches. All of this is entwined within a complex maze of canals, main streets and back alleys.
When I visited, it was January, very cold and very foggy. Though this didn't dampen the beauty of the architecture and reflections in the water. Each house is unique even though it fills a uniform idea - door, windows, roof.
In Amsterdam, it is also popular to live in house-boats. These stationary platforms along the canal provide homes for many individuals in the city, however it is in by no means cheap. The combination of the cost of buying the boat and the pitch along the canal can equal £300,000.
The city is home to the world famous Van Gogh Museum. This was my main reason for visiting the city. Van Gogh, famous for his post-impressionistic style and use of vivid colours and broad brushstrokes, is my favourite artist. Dutch born, he moved to France to develop his skills, first in Paris and then in Arles in the south of the country. Unfortunately, Van Gogh died at the young age of 37, but in his lifetime he created over a thousands artworks. A large proportion of these artworks are at home in the multistory museum dedicated to him in Amsterdam. Home to some of his most famous works, including 'The Potato Eaters' (1885), 'Wheatfield with crows' (1890), and 'Sunflowers' (1889), the museum really is a must visit for any art lover.
If Van Gogh doesn't take your fancy, a trip to the Rijksmuseum or Anne Frank house can offer a similar fix of history and culture. Note however queues to go into the Anne Frank house are always huge so I'd recommend booking before hand.
One thing I recommend doing whilst their is taking the time to go on a canal boat tour. You can learn a bunch of amazing things about the city whilst on one of those tours and it also gives you the opportunity to see the buildings and bridges from a different perspective. It also gets you away from the bustling streets for a while. With citywide bike lanes, it can be an incredibly busy place to visit.
Whether you go for fun or for culture, Amsterdam is a beautiful and interesting place to visit.