Amsterdam

We were strangers to the Dutch way of life but we developed a sixth sense for avoiding the tram and the bicycles quickly enough. We had to because there were thousands of cyclists in the city. We hid from the hustling and bustling at the van Gogh museum where security was tight, but the paintings are beautiful. The depressed artist, whose work was not appreciated in his own lifetime, had painted some daring and bold paintings for us to look at. In his lifetime he had painted about 2000 artworks and at the museum there were more than 200 of his paintings on display.

Amsterdam bikes, The Netherlands by redjar

The other part of the day was spent wandering along the canal through cafes, the sex museum and picturesque shops. Everywhere we went there was an exotic smell of hash or weed. In the afternoon we went to the Anne Frank house where she wrote her famous diary while she and her family were hiding from the Nazi’s. Behind a bookcase there was a secret door, where the family hid from the Germans. In the two floors and the attic she and seven others lived for two years before they were betrayed. We went back to the swift caravan to get some rest for the second day and second destination. We took the train to Utrecht which is only a half an hour journey.

Utrecht

Utrecht felt like the living, beating heart of Holland. The city was built around the old Dom tower. We climbed up the tower to have a view over the city. We saw lots of cellars, terraces and cafes along the canal. There are also a lot of modern houses and a large and modern shopping centre where we spend the whole morning shopping.

Utrecht Dom Cathedral Tower, The Netherlands by Pepijntje

Gouda

From Utrecht we took the train to another tourist hotspot: Gouda. This small city with its gorgeous old city square is world famous for their production of cheese. They sell many varieties at the Gouda market place, which is dominated by a beautiful 15^th century Gothic town hall. With a belly full of cheese and dutch frieten, and with some lovely experiences of the country, unfortunately we had to go back to catch our boat again. Although we’ll definitely visit the Netherlands again!

Gouda Cheese Market in a city of Gouda, The Netherlands by Johi

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Tate Modern, London, UK by Hans Peter Schaefer

Tate Modern Museum

The Tate Modern is located at the banks of the Thames River. It is Britain’s national museum of contemporary and modern art. The exterior of the structure is unique because the building was previously a power station. Inside the museum, you will find modern artworks and older masterpieces that are on temporary display.

You can see exhibits for free that feature Matisse, Cezanne, Dali, Picasso, Warhol, Hirst and Pollock among others. This coming October, you can view an exhibit that features Aldo Tambellini’s revolutionary artworks that include paintings, video, sound, slide and film projections. Tambellini’s artworks focus on political change in a creative way.

Official website of Tate Modern

Guts For Garters

Guts For Garters, located at Cob Gallery on 205 Royal College Street, offers something unique to its visitors. This innovative artistic concept integrates a shop, art exhibit and even clothes and furniture in its inventory. Typically, management arranges an exhibit based on a theme with each artist, item and designers working to create a cohesive environment. Exhibits usually instigate debate and out-of-the-box concepts that might make new visitors to the museum question their choice of exhibitions.

Themes like “Sex and Death” and artworks created with real human blood make this museum stand out from other artistic venues. Currently, Guts and Garters is planning an installment on August 17 to 19 with Cathie Pilkington called Traces. The exhibit will include commissioned objects like fabrics, furniture, jewelry and food. The exhibit, which will be located at an old Victorian building, will also feature illustrations, sound and digital art.

Official website of Guts For Garters

Royal Academy Of Arts

This museum was founded in 1768 and is one of the oldest museums on London. On permanent exhibit are some of the works of Michelangelo and personal items of Queen Victoria. To get to the venue, you have to walk through the gates of Piccadilly to get to the Annenberg Courtyard where you will find the entryway to the Royal Academy Of Arts.

You will find current exhibits featuring works from the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The show includes artworks from 19th century France that focus mainly on Impressionism. You can also view weird, wacky and wonderful architectural works of art. The Kings Artists is also being featured at the museum till October. The show features anything and everything about King George III and Queen Charlotte.

Official website of Royal Academy Of Arts

Royal Academy of Arts in Burlington House, London, UK by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)

Visiting the top London Art Galleries will allow you to appreciate what Britain is all about. What better way to absorb the culture and history of this country than to see a comprehensive collection of artworks in London’s best art museums and galleries.

This article was written on behalf of the Connaught hotel who specialise in providing the some of the best afternoon tea in London.

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