Early March 2024 we took a train from Brussels to Amsterdam for a lovely weekend in this historical and at the same time modern city. We stayed just outside the old town near the Westergasfabriek from where we could easily visit many interesting and beautiful places by tram or walking. For the first time I was on a typical canal boat trip and enjoyed it with the sun, some wine and cheese and a funny, local guide.
We were lucky to have some rays of sun and together with the ‘Amsterdammers’ we enjoyed the first sunny springtime moments, while covering us still enough for the cold wind. But the first terrace of the year always feel wonderful. Amsterdam is about 300 km up north from Brussels and we noticed that the trees didn’t have young, green leaves yet. A small but noticeable difference with the Belgian landscapes we saw from the train.
When in Amsterdam try to at least walk by the amazing building of Theater Tuschinski. For more than a century already this wonderful theater is open to the public and it almost burnt down in World War II. It is still being used as a cinema today so you can easily walk in to see the interior or even watch a whole movie in this dreamy décor. No wonder it has been named the most beautiful cinema in the world. We were amazed and wanna go back already to this Royal Theater from 1921 named after its architect, Abraham Tuschinski.
But there is much more beautiful old architecture to discover in Amsterdam. Head for a romantic drink or meal in the Café Américain (1902) with Art Nouveau and Art Déco elements. You will think for a while you are in a movie scene and daydream about some film star walking in from the Clayton ‘American’ hotel above.