Alternative Amsterdam

Though there are options to fly, drive or catch the train to Amsterdam, the ferry is an alternative and relaxing way to get to there from the north of England and Scotland. The overnight journey is about 15 hours and 45 minutes starting at 5pm in Newcastle and arriving in Amsterdam at 09:45am the next morning.

The advantage here is that there are no baggage restrictions and the night may treat you with clear skies over the North Sea, ideal for stargazing. There are restaurants to suit every sort of eater in the family. The North Sea Bistro, for example, offers prime steak cuts and classic dishes made with local and seasonal ingredients. The Explorer’s Kitchen, meanwhile, offers more casual dining offering good quality international meals. 

Morning

Wake up after a relaxing sleep in your DFDS ferry cabin, grab a fresh pastry and coffee from the bakery on board, and watch the port come closer into view.

When your DFDS Ferry anchors, take a DFDS bus to Amsterdam city centre, and then get off the beaten track by heading into the industrial area of the north. Take a peek into the NDSM - a derelict shipyard turned into a cultural arts hub with a large mural of Anne Frank on its outer walls. It is a space where you can enjoy an exhibition on site in a post-apocalyptic vibe. Further north of the city, where there are enchanting wooden houses, surrounded by flowers, you can spend an hour at the dynamic Nxt Museum. This is a large dedicated gallery to new media art with immersive experiences – lights, technology, sounds and more. It will give you a glimpse into progressive art and leaves one with a lot to think about in our evolving, digital world.

Next, take the free ferry that runs between Noord and Centraal to enter the magic of neon phosphorescence at Electric Ladyland: The Museum of Fluorescent Art. This is a vibrant museum where all surfaces in the experiential room glow with interactive elements. This isn’t just a fancy collection of bright neon lights taking you on a psychedelic adventure; it is a place that talks you through the fascinating science behind phosphorescence. 

Afternoon

While traditional Dutch food including the stroopwafel are delicious, Amsterdam has an abundance of Surinamese and Indonesian restaurants. Both cuisines offer large portions, so it is best to eat a light breakfast. Surinamese cuisine is an enigma, as it is a melting pot of Caribbean, Indian, Javanese and west African influences.

A 20-minute cycle journey out east past ARTIS (where you can also visit Micropia – the world’s first zoo for microbes) is Lalla Rookh. This is a no-frills restaurant where the décor is simple but the flavours are complex and delicious. Start with a bara, a lentil fritter. Next, Cassava chips and a variety of broodjes (sandwiches) are great for a lighter option, or for a heartier meal, try the roti (flat bread with curried potatoes) served with stewed vegetables or meat and seasoned with spices.

After you check in to your hotel, which you can book with DFDS Ferries, walk or cycle off your lunch with a wander through Vondelpark. Here, the hipster remnants from the 1960’s and 1970’s are still evident in Vondelbunker, a former youth centre space under a bridge that showcases gigs, poetry readings and film screenings. There is also the Openluchttheater, an open-air theatre that turns festive with vibrant dance performances, stand-up comedy and world music between the months of May and September.

Evening

A 30-minute walk further south of Vondelpark will lead you to Bolenius, a restaurant with a green Michelin star that celebrates Dutch gastronomy. Vegetables from their kitchen garden are the stars of the show. There’s a six-course menu with the likes of aubergine with fennel and fermented bread sauce or lamb with smoked herring for those looking for Dutch food with a contemporary twist.

Nearby Vondlepark, spend the night in the chic Museum Qarter at the Jan Luyken Hotel which you can book through DFDS. The hotel is situated in an authentic town house and offers easy access to numerous museums including the Royal Concertgebouw. It’s also a minute’s walk from some great restaurants so you can have dinner nearby before returning to the stylish rooms for a good night’s sleep.