AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND

Recently I went to Amsterdam for a friend's birthday. Having never been to The Netherlands before, I was curious about what this experience would actually be like. There are obviously some things that this particular capital is better know for, so I was quite ready to challenge myself and explore the city.

Shortly after landing in the evening we ventured into the city. Some cliches became more apparent; bikes, weed, prostitutes etc. Interestingly enough, these didn't actually play a massive part in my experience of Amsterdam. Unfortunately, I feel that most foreigners get blinkered by these aspects and come away reinforcing the stereotype. I found Amsterdam had a lot more to offer.

The city is so, so beautiful. It's well known that Amsterdam is built on canals but I didn't expect the narrow streets and houses to be so unique. Almost every house is different, and the higildy-pidildy miss-mash was so colourful and amazing. I loved walking down the canal side and seeing all the different designs and architecture. 

I was so grateful and thankful to the Dutch people for being so polite and friendly. From travel advice to ordering food at restaurants, each and every person I met in Amsterdam was so eager and happy to help. It was such a breath of fresh air compared to London! I can't express how accommodating the Dutch people were; it was truly special.

Amsterdam's rich history is another aspect most commonly forgotten. One of the things I was most excited about was visiting the Anne Frank house and museum. Having only read aspects of her diary beforehand, (I've since finished it and loved it), it was quite an emotional and sobering experience.

THE FOOD. I really couldn't go to Amsterdam without sampling at least one pancake (okay, maybe two...) We looked up the best rated pancake house in Amsterdam, and discovered The Pancake Bakery along Prinsengracht. There was a queue to get in, so we hoped it was going to live up to it's reputation, and it did not disappoint. My pancake had cinnamon ice-cream, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles and icing sugar as toppings, and a specialised Dutch biscuit baked into the base. I had a serious food coma after this.

Amsterdam is truly an incredible city. I landed a little bit nervous and apprehensive about the darker and dirtier aspects I'd been told beforehand, and came away feeling a little bit sad that other people might enter Holland with the same pre-conceptions as myself. Sure, those things play a role, but Amsterdam and its people have so much more to offer. It was beautiful and welcoming, and I would recommend this spectacular and vibrant city to anyone.