Where and when to see Tulips in Amsterdam
Why are there so many Tulips in Amsterdam? Tulips have been associated closely with the Netherlands and Holland in particular, since the 16th century. The first tulips in Amsterdam came from what is now modern-day Turkey. Having been discovered by European diplomats who were working in the courts of the Ottoman Empire, they quickly became […]
What to do for Xmas and NYE in Amsterdam?
The Dutch really do know how to make the best of the festive season and if you’re in Europe over the Christmas break, then we think Amsterdam is pretty hard to beat! With its (hopefully!) snowy canals, historic Christmas and New Year traditions and cosy bars, the Dutch capital is a pretty picture-perfect place to […]
What is the Amsterdam climate like?
The Amsterdam climate is, like much of north-western Europe, pretty mixed. The summers tend to be fairly dry and warm and the winters long, wet and a bit cold. Although the weather is pretty unreliable in Amsterdam, this shouldn’t put you off visiting – the city is one of the most beautiful places in the world and there’s so much to do that even on a day […]
What to see in Amsterdam – alternative sights away from the tourist track
Amsterdam has a fair few sights that are considered must-see by most tourists visiting the city. Images of the Red-Light District, Rijksmuseum and Dam Square may spring to mind but what if you want to get off the beaten track and see some sights more representative of the Amsterdam that locals see and enjoy every […]
Do you tip in Amsterdam? Etiquette, norms and social customs in the Netherlands
Whether you’re visiting friends in the Netherlands, on business in Amsterdam or just traveling for a holiday, getting to grips with Dutch social norms and customs is a good way to avoid any faux-pas and feel relaxed in the knowledge that you’re behaving in a way that won’t offend the locals! The Dutch are friendly […]
Weekends in Paradise – What to do in Amsterdam in 3 days
Amsterdam may be a relatively small city in comparison with other major European capitals but you couldn’t experience everything this city has to offer in a life time – there is always something going on! In the modern world’s time-pressured and busy way of life, it’s often only possible to get a few days away […]
What’s the weather like in Amsterdam in winter?
With the winter on the way, we thought it’d be time to answer some commonly asked questions. The colder months (from late autumn through the winter to the start of spring) are a great time to come to Amsterdam. The streets aren’t so full of tourists (although the city is still buzzing with locals) and […]
Amsterdam Museum Night and other Autumn Arts Events
Autumn is a great time to be in Amsterdam. Strolling along a tree-lined canal as the leaves turn hundreds of different shades of golden brown and red is absolutely breathtaking and you can’t beat popping into a cosy brown café for a beer and some comfort food (nothing is better on a wet and windy […]
Amsterdam Light Festival Route 2022/2023
Starboard Boats are delighted to reveal the official Amsterdam Light Festival Route 2022/2023. Slightly different to last year’s route, Amsterdam Light Festival 2022/23’s route will take you from Oosterdok, along the Amstel to Nieuwe Keizersgracht before going on to, Entrepotdok. The great thing about this year’s route is that it shows a completely different side […]
Amsterdam Light Festival 2018/19 Throwback
With the nights getting longer and darker, there’s no need to let the winter blues take hold just yet… Our favourite annual event is just around the corner – the Amsterdam Light Festival 2019/2020 is sure to warm the spirits and this year’s theme of ‘Disrupt!’ promises to amaze and inspire the thousands of people […]