For many years Amsterdam was considered the gay capital of Europe and a mecca for gay tourists from all over the world. However, the city lost its way as a gay destination in the late 1990s as Berlin, Madrid and Barcelona got their acts together. Those cities started offering gay tourists a much cheaper alternative for weekends away in the European capitals.

As Amsterdam repositions itself as a more upmarket destination for people who are happy to pay for a quality product, the gay tourist is once again returning to Amsterdam.

The Amsterdam Tourist Board in particular has done a sterling job in marketing the various festivals that take place in the City each month.

For full details check out: iamsterdam.com website

The red light district has been cleaned up and many hotels have been upgraded to a much higher standard.

The emphasis is on delivering a quality product and good service.

The commercial gay scene is still there but Amsterdam has so much more to offer the gay tourist than just the traditional gay scenes sex, leather clubs and saunas.

The best way to see Amsterdam is by bicycle. You can hire them everywhere and it costs around ten Euros a day. Do it! It’s the only way to see the City, but I recommend you pay that little bit extra for insurance as the bicycle thieves in Amsterdam are very ingenious.

I was in town to cover the Giro d'Italia, the Italian equivalent of the Tour de France. City centre streets were closed, bringing the city to a standstill as thousands of locals and tourists watched world famous cyclists compete in the Giro Time Trial, which was being staged in Amsterdam for the first time.

When the Giro circus hits town you’ll know about it. The City of Amsterdam staged a ten day festival of events to welcome the sports enthusiasts, journalists and well wishers that attend major sports events such as the Giro. It was all very impressive.

There are so many things to see in Amsterdam that you’ll be spoiled for choice. Anne Frank House and The Van Gough Museum are very popular, but expect to queue. The Rijksmuseum is my favourite building in Amsterdam. It is finally coming to the end of major external renovations and is a must see.

Other less well known attractions such as the Tulip Museum and the Houseboatmuseum are fascinating and well worth a visit and no trip to Amsterdam would be complete without a boat ride on the canals. You can choose between the Blue Boat Company and Holland International Rondvaart and trips cost around twelve Euros.

There are endless choices when dining in Amsterdam. Chinese food is really popular as are the Argentinian Steak Houses. Traditional Dutch cuisine is also worth checking out.

We ate lunch at Bridges Restaurant, which is a fish restaurant that builds bridges between Dutch and French cuisine. It’s located in the newly renovated Sofitel Hotel at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197 (Tel +31 (0) 20 5553263). The meal was expensive but first class.

In the evening we visited the Supperclub at Jonge Roelsnsteeg 21 (Tel +31 (0) 20 344). It is an old converted church where you sit on beds to have your five course dinner. The decor inside is completely white. It is also part restaurant part lounge/bar and has a very bohemian clientele. The staff are outrageous and provide the entertainment. So long as you enter into the spirit of the concept, you’ll have a great time. Because you are lying down while eating I wouldn’t recommend wearing something too expensive as when the drink flows, accidents are likely to happen. It’s not cheap, but the food is good and the entertainment bizarre. The Supperclub concept is international and there are outlets in London, Istanbul, San Francisco and Singapore. There’s also a Supper Club cruise available in Amsterdam. The concept is very gay friendly and a unique way to spend a night out. The DJs in particular were sensational and created a fabulous feel to the occasion.

We stayed at the four star Albus Grand Hotel, Vijzelstraat 49 (Tel +31 (0) 20 5306200). It was recently renovated to a high standard, serves a great breakfast and is very central.

Amsterdam is well served by air with flights from most major UK cities to Schiphol Airport. We chose to travel with Eurostar from London St Pancras via Brussels. At five hours travelling time it was so much less stressful than going through airport security.

One final tip, buy yourself an iamsterdam card which gives you free entry to 40 venues, discounts to many attractions and travel concessions. You can buy one online at www.iamsterdam.com Print out a voucher to present at any office of the Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board by the main station or at Schiphol airport. A 24 hour card is 38 Euros, 48 hour card 48 Euros, or 72 hour card 72 Euros. It is excellent value.

www.albusgrandhotel.com
www.bridgesrestaurant.nl
www.supperclub.com
www.eurostar.com
www.iamsterdam.com
www.gayamsterdam.com
www.schiphol.nl