Renowned for its industrial heritage and its working class roots, the city of Rotterdam has become a dynamic, energetic and innovative metropolis brimming with a host of architectural and cultural gems.

The Venice of the North is no doubt a special place on the jazz map of the world. Below is our selection of a couple of local venues to visit, drawn up to show you that even a short stay in Amsterdam is enough to get a quality experience of live trumpets, drums, keys, bass, and all that jazz…

If you are on a short stay in Amsterdam between 5 -9 March 2014 and you have a soft spot for a good party then you will enjoy the 5 Days Off music festival which is a yearly event with performances, club nights, cultural arts events and workshops at Melkweg, Paradiso and De Balie.

Add the HISWA Boat Show to your short stay itinerary during the dates of 5 to 9 March, 2014 when it takes place at Amsterdam RAI and features eight different boat worlds that you can visit. We have many Amsterdam apartments in the area to make your commute quick and easy.

Museum Weekend 2014 will enable you to visit around twenty Amsterdam museums for free or at heavily discounted rates during April 5 and 6. With at least one special event at each museum this weekend makes for an interesting and fun addition to a short stay in Amsterdam.

Regarded as the home of Holland’s famous blue and white pottery, Delft is bursting with character and charm and offers activities and entertainment to everyone who visits. Situated in the south of the Netherlands and within easy reach, via public transport, from many of our Amsterdam holiday apartments, Delft is a traditional Dutch city which is definitely worthy of a visit.

For more than 600 years Holland has been a prominent consumer of herring – preferable and predominantly raw. If you are planning a short stay in Amsterdam, try to arrange it for the beginning of June to get the best of the best of ‘Hollandse Nieuwe’ – ‘new herring’.

The Netherlands’ sweeping coastline encompasses a series of clean, white, sandy beaches, several of which can be reached via public transport from the capital of Amsterdam, offering a calming seaside alternative to the city’s bustling streets.

Accessible from Amsterdam Central Station in under one hour, the Netherlands’ seat of government comprises an elegant setting that blends history with modernity and boasts numerous attractions to entertain and captivate its visitors.

How to spend your short stay in Amsterdam knowing that you’ve made the most of it? First rule – don’t be afraid to go off the beaten track. While all the major museums will surely be impressive, there are actually some equally amazing places that you won’t find in ordinary guidebooks. And here’s our list of a couple of them.