Sightseeing

March 2013
It may have all started 400 years ago, but the legacy of the Dutch Golden Age is visible all over the place in Amsterdam, from the trading warehouses to the stately canals. Amsterdam Museum (92 Kalverstraat) is currently host to an intelligent reassessment of the era and its consequences, including the theory that the period gave birth to the idea of the rebellious "teenager".

January 2013
The incredible modern art behemoth that is the newly reopened Stedelijk Museum is currently home to a poignant retrospective of Mike Kelley, the American provocateur who died exactly a year ago (10 Museumplein, stedelijk.nl).

Key Areas

April 2013
Next month the shuttered Van Gogh Museum reopens its doors after extensive renovations. Too late for your visit? Then follow the amazing Van Gogh Mile - 4km of red thread that leads through significant points in the city to the temporary "Vincent" exhibition at the Hermitage Amsterdam. Runs until 25 April (vangoghmile.com).

February 2013
If you're keen to see one of Amsterdam's up-and-coming neighbourhoods, check out the blustery Zeeheldenbuurt, where new restaurants like sausage sensation Worst Wijncafe (deworst.nl) are luring centre-dwellers waterside.

Day Trips

January 2013
Rotterdam is in the throes of its annual International Film Festival this month. Take the half-hour train journey and you'll be rewarded with groundbreaking features and documentaries from all over the world (filmfestivalrotterdam.com).

December 2012
Rotterdam may lack the Golden Age splendour of the Netherlands' capital, but the city is home to a host of impressive and ambitious modernist design projects. Check out the famous Kubuswoningen (cube houses) built by visionary architect Piet Blom. The train journey between the two cities takes just over 40 minutes.