IN THE BAG

Cannabis is the buzzword on every dermatologist’s lips. We suggest slathering the stuff on rather than smoking it. Try Perricone MD’s CBx for Men travel set. £36; perriconemd. co.uk Crushability isn’t what most look for in protective wear, but Closca’s packable helmet will keep you safe while pootling about the city’s narrow streets.

£110; opumo.com the world’s biggest club festival for electronic music, brings more than 2,000 artists, DJs and other musicians from around the globe, along with thousands more clubbers, for day and night events all over town. Somewhat more sedate, but with just as much cultural clout, is the International Documentary Film Festival

Amsterdam (idfa.nl) in November, one of the leading events of its kind.

Of course, fine music and groundbreaking performance are not confined to the festival months. Amsterdam has impressive cultural fixtures. The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (concertgebouworkest.nl) justifiably has a reputation for being one of the best there is, and is particularly renowned for interpretations of Mahler.

The superb acoustics of the historic Concertgebouw (concertgebouw.nl) makes it a favourite among visiting musicians, bringing the cream to Amsterdam. The Dutch National Opera (operaballet.nl) is known for topquality adventurous productions, where budgets are fruitfully spread, rather than being channelled towards one or two soloists. And though it has shed its cosy, scuffed venue for a new home with perhaps less atmosphere, the BIMhuis (bimhuis. nl) continues to draw jazz and improvised music aficionados, as it has

MEN’S TRAVEL SET

HELMET