General strike in France: revised timetable on 31 January. Find out more
Looking for a Christmas present with a difference? Forget chocolate boxes and classic jumpers: when it comes to making an impression, shared experiences often make the most touching gifts. Our advice? You can’t go wrong with a Channel-hopping adventure to Amsterdam. The Dutch capital is closer than you’d think, and full of memorable adventures. From world-class museums to Michelin-starred eats, this city has it all – and however many times you’ve visited, there’s always something new to discover. We’ve found five experiences that would make the perfect present, from a taster of the city’s craft beer scene to an evening at the opera.
Set in the centre of the city, on the tree-lined Keizersgracht canal, this boldly curated photography museum punches well above its weight. It often hosts multiple exhibitions, with a focus on rising talents, though big-name retrospectives tend to take over all three floors. Afterwards, browse the shop for posters, prints and books, or hit the laid-back café for apple pie and fresh mint tea.
The soulless modern multiplex has nothing on this place – a show-stopping movie theatre, which opened in 1921. Behind a domed, art-deco façade, it’s a vision of decorative excess, from its swirling, kaleidoscopic lobby to its gilded screening room. Impress the cinephile in your life with a pair of top-tier tickets, which will score you a two-seater sofa, along with drinks and a snack.
Image credits: © Sophia Van Den Hoek; © Sophia Van Den Hoek; © Sophia Van Den Hoek; © Sophia Van Den Hoek; © Sophia Van Den Hoek; © Sophia Van Den Hoek; © Sophia Van Den Hoek