A river runs through it
The flower market on the Singel canal
SHUTTERSTOCK, 4 CORNERS, AWL-IMAGES.COM
The Dutch have a saying, ‘Het is zoals het is’, which translates as, ‘It is what it is’. It sums up the down-toearth realism of Holland, and it’s the key to the Amsterdam vibe. This is a city with an air of relaxed pragmatism: a laid-back, picturesque, canal-crossed capital, only four hours by train from central London.
What’s more, it’s party time in Amsterdam for the next 12 months as the city celebrates its 750th birthday in October 2025. Events begin this year, on 27 October, with the Opening Concert at the Ziggo Dome (amsterdam750.nl).