We stayed in Rembrandtplein while in Amsterdam. This neighbourhood was named after the famous painter Rembrandt van Rijn, who owned a house nearby in the 15th century. We were told that the Rembrantplein Square is the focal point of nightlight there, courtesy of the many cafes, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs around it. It is the ultimate party place...a far cry from what it used to be in the Middle Ages - a humble dairy market for farmers. At the centre of the square is a

We had a short bus tour to see the highlights of Amsterdam. But the best way to really appreciate the beauty of the city is to take a canal cruise, which we did right after. With more than 100 kilometers of canals, about 90 islands, and a thousand and a half bridges, Amsterdam rivals Venice, but has its own charm. The canals, dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, form concentric belts around the city and are lined with historic buildings. We glided under the ma

We arrived in Amsterdam in the afternoon. After checking into our hotel and freshening up, we all assembled at the lobby for a welcome reception at a nearby restaurant. There were new people that joined us – those from South Africa who did not obtain their British visas and were advised to just fly directly to the Netherlands. Our Tour Director told us we were going to be treated to a rijsttafel dinner at Indrapura, a very elegant Indonesian restaurant in the Rembrandtplein