Why now?

On April 30 Amsterdam goes bonkers in celebration of Queen's Day. The festivities begin in the morning when the city turns into a mass bric-a-brac market, swiftly descending into an enormous, debauched street party.

Getting there

London St Pancras to Amsterdam from £69 rtn with raileurope.co.uk (0844 848 4070).

Where to stay

At one of Hotel V's two locations (hotelv.nl, doubles from €140), one of which is brand new, based in a 19th-century building. Or bag a bunk bed at the notorious Flying Pig hostel.

Where to eat

Late-night falafel joint Maoz has something of a cult following. The original is at Leidsestraat 85.