ESCAPE ROUTE

GO DUTCH

Netherlands cuisine is definitely an acquired taste. Try Haring, probably the most famous Dutch food, raw herring with chopped onions and gherkins. Kroket, or croquettes, is a deep-fried roll with meat inside covered in breadcrumbs served on hamburger buns with mustard. At De Muntkelder on the canal they serve sweet and savoury pancakes for dinner instead of breakfast which non-Dutchies find unusual. Fries anyone? Head to Dapp Frietwinkel. Belgium may be famous for its pomme frites, but here they queue for their frites, you’ll know why after you’ve tasted them. Stan & Co, a super hip eatery with stunning decoration and the friendliest waiters around. A Stan steak, or a double oversized burger are favourites.

SNOOZE

Grand Hotel Karel V in the historic quarter has a rich history. A former monastery built in 1348, it was once home to medieval knights, priests and emperors and was named after King Karel in 1545. It became a military hospital for monks and soldiers to recover, but opened as a five-star hotel in 1999. Rooms from $252 a night. karelv.nl/en/

FREE CITY TOUR

Every Saturday and Sunday, at 2pm, join a three-hour tour starting from Dom Tower. Look for the guide in a red shirt.

FREE CITY TOUR

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