Ready for a city break that has something for everyone? Look no further than Amsterdam! This stunning city is full of culture, history, and so many things to see and do. And with the Go Amsterdam pass, you can save money on top attractions and make the most of your trip. Here are five fun things to do in Amsterdam with the Go Amsterdam pass:

1. Take in the stunning canal system on a leisurely boat ride. The waterways of Amsterdam were originally built in the 17th century to transport goods and people around the city, but today they're the perfect setting for a relaxing boat ride. There are plenty of companies offering canal cruises, so you can sit back, relax, and take in the sights and sounds of Amsterdam. Keep an eye out for the iconic houseboats – they're a common sight along the canals and make for some great photo opportunities.

2. Visit world-renowned museums like the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. If you're in the mood for a bit of culture, Amsterdam has no shortage of museums to visit. The Rijksmuseum is a must-see for art lovers, with a collection that includes works by Rembrandt and Vermeer. The Van Gogh Museum is another popular choice, featuring the largest collection of Van Gogh's paintings in the world. And with the Go Amsterdam pass, you can save money on admission to both of these top attractions. If they're not your thing, you can visit the museum of cats and yes, they do have cats who live there.

3. Explore Amsterdam's vibrant nightlife. Whether you're looking for a wild night out or a more low-key evening, Amsterdam has something for everyone. The Red Light District is a well-known (and controversial) destination, but there are plenty of other areas of the city to explore if you're looking for a more laid-back evening. The Jordaan neighbourhood is a popular spot for bar-hopping, with a wide range of pubs and breweries to choose from. Or, you could check out one of Amsterdam's many live music venues or comedy clubs.

4. Bond with your kids through activities like biking and guided tours. Amsterdam is the perfect destination for some quality family bonding time. There are so many activities to do together, like exploring the city on foot or by bike (Amsterdam is super bike-friendly, by the way, with well-marked bike lanes and plenty of rental shops). Or, you could consider taking a guided tour to learn more about the city's history and culture. This is a great opportunity to spend some quality time together and make new memories.

5. Enjoy family-friendly activities like the NEMO Science Museum and Vondelpark. Amsterdam is also a very family-friendly destination, with plenty of kid-friendly activities to keep little ones entertained. The NEMO Science Museum and Artis Zoo are both popular choices, but if you're in the mood for something a bit more laid-back, you could take a stroll through the beautiful Vondelpark or have a picnic on the grass. And if the weather isn't cooperating, the Amsterdam Dungeon is a great indoor activity that's sure to be a hit with the whole family.

As you can see, Amsterdam has something for everyone. So why not start planning your holiday or mini-break today with the help of the Go Amsterdam pass? With so many things to see and do, you won't be disappointed. I can't wait for my next trip to Amsterdam, the only thing I have to think about is whether to go by ferry from North Shields with DFDS or whether to fly into Schipol with KLM, either way, I'm already excited.

5 Great Views You Must See Before You Die

Since I really got the ability to travel a few years ago I've had some amazing experiences, not just overseas I should add, we have a plethora of amazing places in the UK as well as some more far flung adventures. My number one aspiration continues to be to travel as often as I possibly can, I love to explore new places whether it's somewhere tranquil and dog-friendly or a colourful paradise with friends overseas and so with that in mind and after chatting with my girlfriends about some of my favourite things I've ever done thus far I thought I would take the opportunity to give you my list of 5 things you must do before you die!

1. The view from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in summer you'll queue for hours to get tickets but in November you can pay and pretty much climb straight away, you also get to stay at the top a while and the views are amazing, as you climb the tower you are all too aware that the tower is leaning and at the top where they've rehung the bells it's even a little comical.  When I climbed I was on my own and after travelling through several countries on my own for the first time on a cruise with Norwegian Epic I sat at the top and cried realising just what I'd achieved, from agoraphobia to solo traveller in just a few years.  I love the fact that you can see Pisa and Tuscany from the top so if you get the chance go do it and for an even more special experience, why not do it on your own?!

2.  Climb Le Suquet on a warm sunny morning and you won't be disappointed, Le Suquet in Cannes refers to the old town and right at the top you'll find a castle and a museum, for just a handful of Euros (I think I paid about 5 euros) you can climb to the top of the tower and be master of all you survey, just for a while anyway.  When I visited on a pleasantly warm Novembers day Cannes still felt like summer for this girl from the frozen North.

3. The view from the Talaia at sunset, Mount Tibidabo, Barcelona, Spain.  as well as being called the magic mountain, Tibidabo is home to a historic theme park, and it's signature ride, a rickety old basket (it's safer than it sounds) which takes you up 1500 foot above sea level for the most amazing views you have ever seen, when Harriet and I went in the summer we were able to experience it at sunset, it's one of the most magical views I've ever captured and an experience I'll never forget.

4. The View from the Shard, London, you don't have to go too far afoot to discover the best views of London and for the best value ticket choose to go up at sunset, for one it will be quieter with no queues and you'll also be able to see London in the daytime and London as it lights up, London is the prettiest city in the world when viewed from above and as night falls it ups it's magic quotient to something akin to a fantasy world, you've seen nothing until you've experienced London twinkling in all its glory.

5.  The views of the winding canal network in Amsterdam, take a trip on a small boat with a local captain and you'll find out the most interesting stories from Amsterdam, there's nowhere quite like to soak in the atmosphere of one of the finest cities in Europe but definitely stay away from the larger tourist boats because it really is worth paying a little extra for a small tour along with 15-20 others. It's an experience Abigail and I both adored, even if she did lose my sunglasses over the side of the small boat, never to be seen again.

In the next year there are so many views I'd love to see, my biggest wish is to visit Japan and also I know that I must see New York from the top of the Empire State building, I'd love to hear from you if there are any great views you've experienced on your travels, any recommendations for places I need to visit?

Mini Cruise to Amsterdam from Newcastle

When I  asked Abigail if she wanted to finally go on a mini cruise to Amsterdam from Newcastle to celebrate her 14th birthday and her resounding response was "Yes, when do we go?"  Now I must admit that by the time I actually got on the DFDS website to book I'd left it until just a few days before we were about to sail so I knew that we wouldn't especially get the best deal, in the end it cost £204ish for our 2 bed seaview cabin.

The last time I went on a cruise was the Norwegian Epic mini cruise from Rome to Barcelona, see how they both have the same name?  Mini Cruise?  Well let me tell you, that is where the similarities end unfortunately.  Whilst I sailed the med in the lap of luxury enjoying fabulous food, wonderful weather and great company the DFDS mini cruise felt more like I was sailing across the North Sea in an overpriced 1980's velour clad budget cabin.  Now it's no surprise that people just kind of deal with it when you consider that a lot of the passengers simply seemed to be there for the alcohol, perhaps that's why the cheapest thing on the boat was alcohol, no surprises then that there were uncouth men throwing up on the back of the bus on our transfer from Ijmuiden to Amsterdam.  Perhaps they couldn't afford to eat?  After all, a trip to the Pizza restaurant left us with a €60 euro bill for Abigail and I, that's 2 pizzas, a lime and soda and a diet coke!!  A trip to the buffet restaurant cost us a staggering €75 after we "splashed out" on a large bottle of still water.  Breakfast was the least expensive at €32 euros but at least it included the drinks.

The cabins were so basic they didn't even come with a tea tray or kettle and there was only 1 european plug point for both of us, in this day and age, 1 plug socket per cabin just isn't enough.  Still at least we could see the sea, those poor people in economy, well that doesn't bear thinking about, I just can't imagine how bad it is down there.  I wondered if Commodore Class would be any better, at least they got complimentary breakfast, wifi and a TV, yes a TV, we had europop radio, 3 or 4 channels of the stuff.  Now I know that satellite wifi isn't the best, I've been there and done that before but I would have thought they could install it ship wide and not just in a couple of the bars.  I think one of the main problems might be the age of the ship itself, both the Princess Seaways and King Seaways were built in 1986 and refurbished in 2006, that's still 10 years ago, a very long time indeed! I think my biggest kindest suggestion would be that they take these ships out of service, or up their service, maybe a pool would be a lovely idea, better bedding, a kettle, more plug sockets, anything to make it more of a mini cruise than a budget ferry trip.

Now you may be thinking that my scathing review means I had a horrible time but I actually loved spending a couple of carefree days in the company of my beautiful daughter Abigail (who didn't complain about anything, not even the cabin) and we adored our 5 hours in Amsterdam, and that's it people, that's all you get, not even vaguely enough time when you consider it takes around 17 hours to get there!  We did however spend a pleasant 75 minutes on board Terra Nova, a 110 year old luxury boat cruising around the canals of Amsterdam with around another 10 people, this is the way to see Amsterdam, don't go on the crowded boats, go on the comfy lovely one, the cost was €37 for Abigail and I, one day later and it would have been 42, child age seems to end at 14, better than on the boat though when it ends at 11!  After our cruise we wandered and walked and we ended up on the roof terrace of de Bijenkorf, Amsterdams oldest luxury department store, we only went for the cake but it did not disappoint!

5 hours is enough to give you a taste of the madness and beauty of Amsterdam, home to 500 museums ranging from bags and purses to death and my personal favourite, the Kattenkabinet

, a museum about cats with it's own cats.  I hope that we might return sometime soon but we'll fly with KLM and we'll stay in central Amsterdam or maybe out amongst the canals where it's quieter and prettier and the smell of cannabis doesn't hang so heavily in the air, Abigail will certainly not have a problem recognising the smell of drugs as she grows older.  Amsterdam is a curious city, full of colour and dare I say it, iniquity all muddled together with culture and beauty and the curiousness of hustle and bustle beside the peaceful canal life where time seems to slow down, well just for a while anyway.

I wouldn't say I hated the mini cruise but if I were to be persuaded to get on board again it would have to be in the luxury of Commodore Class, perhaps DFDS could turn my head with just a little more luxury and then I'd deal with the food prices as it was at least well cooked and a great selection of vegetarian Abigail and carnivorous me.  Just a bit more sparkle and a little less tired would work a treat I think and whilst they might not think a pool would be good surely a jacuzzi or two would be nice.  I loved the Sky bar but it was messy and uncared for and crowded with smokers ignoring the designated places and basically smoking wherever they felt like it without anyone to stop them, just because you're outdoors doesn't mean it's any more pleasant.

We even spotted Holly Bobbins Dutch beagle cousin!

So to sum up, I loved time spent with Abigail, I loved Amsterdam but the cruise itself should just be named the no frills ferry.