After a pretty awful Christmas last year we decided to "run away" for the festive period this year!

We were fortunate enough to have collected enough Tesco clubcard points to redeem against a stay at the plush 5 star Pulitzer Hotel.

It's an unique hotel set inside 25 canalside houses along the Prinsengraght and Keizersgracht canals.

The fact that it was built into several houses added character to the rooms, but ours was a bit on the small side.

It was conveniently located just a short walk from the tram stop at Westermarkt.

It was also far enough out of the centre to be reasonably quiet. No rowdy revellers, well apart from us!

Built in 1631 the Westerkerk is the oldest and largest Protestant church in the Netherlands.

Apparently the view of the city from the tower is the best in Amsterdam but unfortunately I did not get the opportunity to frog march Julie up several hundred steps because from November to March it's closed to visitors.

Completely out of character for a Protestant Church (in my experience they've always been dowdy!) the tower is brightly topped with the imperial crown of the Holy Roman Empire.

The right to display it was gifted to the city in the 15th Century by Maximilian of Austria, in gratitude of receiving financial support from the city of Amsterdam.

The Westkerk tower also proudly displays the city's coat of arms. The three crosses crowned.

The triple X has now become the symbol of the city, some say appropriately so; due to the city's notorious sex industry!

The three crosses however represent the diagonal cross on which the apostle St. Andrew was martyred, and is triplicated for protection from flood, fire and famine.

The symbol is everywhere, even the burgundy bollards that marshall the city's roads carry the 'XXX'.

This reminds me of when I received a chocolate bollard from the Pulitzer's "chambermaid" and at first glance I could have sworn she'd handed me a chocolate penis!

I was shocked but thought "oh well, we are in Amsterdam I suppose !"

Another interesting fact about Westerkerk was that in 1669 Rembrandt was buried somewhere inside. The exact location is unknown but a plaque commemorates the fact.

A short walk from the rink was the Van Gogh museum. Photos were strictly not allowed. In fact I'm not too sure if I'm breaking the law here by unauthorised displaying of his artwork.

Ah well, nevermind. I really enjoyed this museum as it was the first time that I had seen a Van Gogh. Although we do have one on the wall at home called "Painting by Numbers of the Sunflowers" by Julie Owen. It's almost as good, but not quite!

His life however was far from calm, and at the age of only 37, crippled with depression, he shot himself in the chest. His last words were reportedly "The sadness will last forever". [All of the above images are from Van Gogh Gallery ]

The Anne Frank House Museum was my most eagerly awaited attraction of our visit to Amsterdam, but walking around the secret annex failed to move me as I had expected.

With the rooms mostly empty they seem devoid of emotion. Perhaps I should have finished reading the Diary before our visit. I'm sure I would have empathised better.

The original wallpaper with the pictures in Anne Frank's room, Anne and Margot's growth lines and the map of Normandy where Otto Frank recorded the allied invasion with pins, are the only remaining authentic traces of the stay of the people in hiding at the Secret Annex.

Whilst these were extremely fascinating to see I just didn't feel it, despite standing in the exact same spot Anne Frank stood peering out at the tree, sixty years earlier.

An exhibition at the end showing what happened after they were all captured did bring the attrocities of the holocaust to life and then it certainly hit me.

This wasn't Anne Frank's house, this was where she hid in fear for her life.

We walked a lot during our stay in Amsterdam, up down and around all the canals. The huge variety of architecture was very interesting.

Our favourite pastime however was peering inside the houses at the tastefully decorated rooms!

Our guide book suggested that a visit to Begijnhoff was worthwhile. It's an enclosed courtyard with pretty little houses with white picket fencing.

It was originally built as a sactuary for the Begijntjes, a Catholic sisterhood who lived like nuns. Houses in Begijnhof are still traditionally occupied by single women. A medieval church fills the south of the courtyard.

It is also home to the oldest surviving house in Amsterdam, the Het Houten Huis, dating from around 1420.

To give our feet a rest, and to see Amsterdam from a different angle we decided to go on a canal boat trip.

The starting point was Damrak, not far from the Centraal Station. We entered the Ooosterdok and looped around, down to the Amstel, then up Herengracht canal.

The boat trip didn't go as far as the Magere Bridge across the Amstel but we had already walked there on our first day.

Not far from here I enjoyed 3 fried eggs on bread, (a traditional Dutch lunch), in a great little corner cafe.

On our first night in Amsterdam we found a little gem of a restaurant on a side canal [on Leliegracht between Prinsengraght and Keizersgraght] called Spanjer & Van Twist. They made the most delicious Goat's Cheese Lasagna. [So much so that ever since we've been home we have been trying to replicate the taste!]

On Christmas Eve we tried a Sikh vegetarian restaurant which was very disappointing. The quality of the food was not at all good, and to make it even more unpalatable we couldn't wash it down with lashings of alcohol, only peppermint tea!

Our final evening was spent in the hotel's bar drinking to the small hours of the morning with two Americans.

I remember that one worked for Oscar de la something and the other one was into his music. We got along great, playing with the jukebox until the Californian pinched my bottom. He didn't stay long after that!