Why now? Food glorious food. Amsterdam's Ciel Bleu restaurant (cielbleu.nl) has just been awarded its second Michelin star - and that means Hotel Okura Amsterdam now has three places to trough featured in the Michelin guide and 75% of the capital's stars.

Getting there EasyJet (easyjet.com) has flights from six UK airports from around £34.

Where to stay Save on your kip so you can splurge on food at ground-breaking Qbic Hotel (0031 43 321 1111, qbichotels.com), pictured, with aluminium-clad sleeping pods that offer seriously comfy beds, mood-altering lights and Philippe Stark bathroom fittings, from £29.

What to do Fill your boots with lovely nosh, of course. Either Ciel Bleu's gourmet fare like grilled blue fin tuna with passion fruit, fennel and oysters, or try some of Amsterdam's great Indonesian at fashionable Blue Pepper (+20 489 7039, restaurantbluepepper.com).