It’s a new year and a new decade at that. Each January presents the unique opportunity to boldly leave your comfort zone behind and to do something exciting and novel. Luckily in Amsterdam, there is an experience waiting around every corner. Perhaps you want to learn a new skill? Or you want to discover the secrets of the universe? Perhaps you simply want switch up your café routine. Whatever your ambitions for 2020, here are five Amsterdam places in which you can kick off the year on a bright and adventurous note.
Flo’s Appetizing
Jan Pieter Heijestraat 121
Just because you started the new year with healthy eating resolutions, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a savoury treat every now and again. Flo’s Appetizing in the West of Amsterdam offers classic bagel and schmear combinations, just like they have them in New York City. With an array of toppings, including a smoked fish selection and vegan options, it’s the bagel brunch place that we’ve been dreaming of.
Architectura & Natura
Leliegracht 22-H
With a history spanning 75 impressive years, the revered Architectura & Natura is one of the most famous bookstores in Europe. This makes it a fantastic place to stock up on reading material about architecture, landscape architecture and natural history. Choose from beautifully published monoliths as well as educational literature and add a little culture to your life (or just to your coffee table).
Ruelle Sous Marin
Stadhouderskade 60-11
“I must have flowers, always, and always,” said painter Claude Monet. We believe the cold of winter shouldn’t stop anyone from enjoying their favourite flora. Enter Ruelle Sous Marin in the De Pijp neighbourhood of Amsterdam and discover flower arrangements like you’ve never seen them before. Specialising in dried flower creations, Ruelle Sous Marin is the perfect spot to find beauty that will last forever. They also host workshops, so you can learn how to make dried flower arrangements on your own.
Stargazing
Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy
Space exploration is getting more and more media attention, but what exactly is waiting for us out there? If you want to learn more about our solar system and are looking for an out-of-the-box date night idea, may we direct your attention to the Stargazing nights at the Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy at the University of Amsterdam. After an introductory lecture, you can peer at the stars through one of the centre’s two telescopes.
Baking Lab
Linnaeusstraat 99
Are you keen on developing a new skill this year? Then rise to the occasion and sign up for Baking Lab’s many bread-baking courses. Serving up workshops in both Dutch and English, take a friend and learn how fermentation works or what it takes to make the perfect sourdough loaf. Check their events page and make sure to register early: These workshops sell out quickly!
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