Blue Skies in Amsterdam

Breakfast at The Dylan is a very civilised affair.

You take your places in the sun-flooded dining room.

Pick up your paper of choice, sit back and settle in while your tea is poured and coffee’s made.

You can choose to go wild at the buffet, or order from the menu.

I recommend the latter, the eggs royale is well worth a go!

We pulled on our walking shoes and headed out into the cobbled streets to do some exploring.

I found another dream house!

That top flat, up there.

We strolled along the canals and hopped over bridges, jumping aside every time a cyclist nipped past at lightning speed.

Denim jumpsuit

Yellow bag // Ludicrously comfy ballet pumps

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We marched right over to the Rijksmuseum, eager to get stuck in and have a good look around.

Just like everyone else visiting Amsterdam!

The queue wound from the doors, across the park and as far as the eye could see.

Sensible travellers booked their tickets up front. Idiots (ahem, me.) did not and would have to queue.

I’d love to tell you that the pull of such an immense wealth of culture, history and art was worth the wait and we dutifully stood in line… but that’s not quite true.

We went to check out Unicef’s collection of bunnies instead.

Just around the corner you’ll find The Van Gogh Museum.

And another stonking great queue.

Go on your phone, buy a couple tickets and you can skip right to the front!

It is well worth a visit as it houses all of your favourites, and some you’ll never have seen before.

I was especially drawn in by VG’s hand written letters, and ink illustrations of his holidays beside the sea.

If you look carefully you can see he’s annotated his illustration with what colour each area should be.

Elsewhere in the museum contemporary artists paint, sketch and even scrawl on the walls.

It’s mesmerising to watch.

Having satisfied our hunger for art, we moved on to lunch.

At the Conservatorium Brasserie.

It’s the perfect spot if you fancy sitting outside, exceptional food, and a side of people watching.

And it has it’s very own golden Miffy!

Burratta di Bufala, tomato structures, basil, olive oil caviar.

A wonderfully simple, classic dish, taken up a notch!

The Dutch always like to add a little splash of “cool” here and there.

Joselito Jamon Iberico, watermelon, ajo blanco and black garlic.

Followed by Cornfed Chicken, ‘turnip ratatouille’, roasted potatoes and garlic gravy.

We sat and chatted in the sunshine.

Listened in on other people’s conversations (we sat up at the big sharing table and it is fascinating how openly people will talk about the intimate details of their lives and businesses with people all around them! I know I shouldn’t listen but I just become enthralled and can’t help myself!)

When we eventually dragged ourselves away, it was to walk the streets and dip into shops.

We inevitably found our way onto the P.C. Hooftstraat (the Sloan St of Amsterdam) and fell into Valentino.

Where I fell head over heels for these beauties!

We stopped for coffee and carried on with our sunlit roaming.

We stumbled into what has become my favourite pocket of Holland.

Begijnhof.

A tiny church square and oasis right in the centre of the hustle and bustle.

It’s one of the oldest courtyards in Amsterdam. Home to a 17th century chapel and lined with some of the prettiest houses you’ll ever see.

The camera hasn’t picked it up very well but that house ^ is the palest of blues.

It is the perfect place to sit and collect your thoughts in the busy city.

Back in the real world, trams race by, cyclists dart between them and everyone rushes on their way.

If you fancy a cuppa served by the jolliest staff, in a tiny little shack, and maybe a bite to eat, go to Stadspaleis.

It is yellow.

It is wonderful.

We made one more little stop off back at P.C. Hooftstraat…

And danced all the way home.

Amsterdam, you have stolen my heart.

And all of my money, but I forgive you.