Crazy in Amsterdam – the Queen of street parties

If you’re looking for a short spring break that’s packed with real fun then it’s no exaggeration to say that few places come even close to Amsterdam on Queen’s Day. On April 30th every year the city is transformed into a giant street party like no other, stretching from one end of Amsterdam to the other with every street and canal packed with people in a blaze of orange: everything from clothes and face paint to fireworks and flags. It is an experience not to be missed for anyone who likes a crazy party!

All this is to celebrate the birthday of the old Queen (The Dutch Queen Mother Juliana). But it’s no staid Trooping of the Colour event. From early in the morning, or even the night before, there’s music, dancing and a chaotic parade of boats bumping through the canals bow to stern with party-makers crowded onto the decks. You’ve an evens chance of hitching a ride around the network of waterways and jumping off wherever you can.

You might find a bargain or two as you wander the old streets. Everywhere there is an impromptu flee market with children taking advantage of a lifting of restrictions on street trading for the day to sell their old toys whilst adults lay out their bric-a-brac, arts and crafts in the hope of making a few Euro.

Visitors can easily join in and dressed in something orange you can easily pass as a local.

Eurolines has 4 scheduled services every day to Amsterdam from just £28 and you can book hostels and hotels at Eurolines.co.uk.