Pop over to the hip neighbourhood of De Pijp to revel in the retro facade of Twenties movie theatre Rialto, or order a round of local craft beer at Brouwerij brewery.

No trip to Amsterdam would be complete without hiring a bike – or if you prefer, booking onto a boat – to peruse the endlessly attractive townhouses that line the city’s canals.

With affordable housing and an enviable work-life balance, Amsterdam is frequently voted one of the world’s best places to live. Its booming tech scene means job prospects are healthy, and millennials are flocking to make their home here.

But even if you don’t fancy it as your permanent base, it’s certainly worth a four-hour train ride for the weekend. Roll on, December...

Photos: iStock

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