“Poor Things,” a film about Victorian-era female empowerment, has won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival

Attracting over 18 million tourists a year, Amsterdam has become the hot spot for travellers across the globe. Filled with tree-lined streets, picturesque canals and some of the finest culinary creations and art, the Dutch city has something for everyone – despite the stereotypes. Now, we can't speak about Dam without addressing the elephant in the room. You could be a foodie; an art enthusiast; a world traveller, or simply passing through the city on a connecting flight – but you'll inevitably be asked by friends, family and peers about your smoking habits – or lack of. Yes, it's legal – but it certainly isn't the be-all, end-all. In fact, tourists who have had the pleasure of visiting Amsterdam recently would have noticed the absence of smoke in the air, which is down to a newly enforced rule last month. There's much, much more to the beautiful, culturally enriched city. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Nestled in the Museum Quarter of the city resides Jan Luyken, a newly-renovated property surrounded by depths of culture and an elegant shopping street. Think, the Bond Street of Amsterdam. From rich-coloured walls graced with contemporary art to grande mirrors and fringed lampshades, it's no surprise l immediately fell for Jan Luyken. The moment you step into the hidden gem, you feel the essence of laidback luxury and incredible attention to detail woven throughout. There's not a corner in the hotel that ignores the memo, from the reception area adorned with delicate glassware and vibrant flower to the rooms that boast comfortable beds, stunning Amsterdam views and tons of natural light. Not to mention, Jan Luyken has a host of some of the friendliest staff members happy to assist with any questions or concerns. They were also equipped with recommendations on some of the area's best fine-dining restaurants and world-famous museums and There are also plenty of shared spaces dotted around the ground floor – perfect for winding down after a long day exploring the city. There's a library decked out with an array of books and lifestyle magazines and plenty of space to truly make Amsterdam feel like a home away from home – especially for a solo traveller like myself. Jan Luyken even provides guests with a kitchen, complete with top-of-the-range Smeg appliances and complimentary baked goods, beverages and fresh fruit. The garden terrace adds an extra special spin to Jan Luyken, as outdoor space is often considered quite a rarity among hotels. It's located next to an aesthetically pleasing gym that makes working out feel that little bit easier. With a hotel so impressive, it can sometimes be tempting to stay in and around it – but with 48 hours in the city, I had to temporarily leave my newfound home comforts to prove that Amsterdam is much more than the stereotypes. Museums Amsterdam does many things well, museums being one of them. The city is jam-packed with cultural experiences, from fine art to photography and history. Two days certainly won't get you through the array of galleries across the city, but there are two in particular that should not be missed. Moco Museum: Founded in 2016, the independent museum boasts a variety of modern, contemporary, and street art. Here, you will find pieces from Jean-Michel Basquiat, Banksy, Icy & Sot, JR, KAWS, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Yayoi Kusama, THE KID, Andy Warhol, Studio Irma, among many more. The Museum of Prostitution: While Amsterdam's sex industry remains open, there's still an air of mystery surrounding it. At the world's first prostitution museum, you will learn about the Red Lights Secrets through an interactive experience. Without giving too much away, the museum delves into the history of sex work in the city, what a typical room looks like and positive testimonials. It also does not shy away from the darker truths of the industry, such as trafficking and unsolved murder cases. Parks Vondelpark: Considered one of the city's most famous parks, this charming area makes the perfect destination to wind down from walking around the city after a long day. During the summer months, there's a host of activities, bandstands – and it even has its own Picasso sculpture hidden along the path. Food Dinner in the Pulitzer Garden: For the foodies, this al-fresco dining experience is a must. Inspired by modern-Dutch cuisine, it offers a wide range of impressive culinary creations and beautifully crafted cocktails. This gem is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an idyllic view of the tranquil gardens. For more information about Jan Luyken, click here. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Brian Harman stormed to his maiden major win by six shots at the British Open on Sunday as even the treacherous weather at Hoylake failed...

A heavy metal singer is being praised after stopping a concert to comfort a scared little girl in the front row. David Draiman, the lead singer of Disturbed, spotted the tot named Sophia singing along to all of their songs, before becoming overwhelmed and bursting into tears when Draiman invited her on stage. “It’s okay, baby, it’s okay. I didn’t mean to scare you", he comforted her. “I love, absolutely love that Disturbed concerts have become a family affair." Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter

In a stinging defeat for President Joe Biden, the Supreme Court blocked the administration's student loan forgiveness plan Friday, rejecting a program aimed at delivering up to $20,000 of relief to millions of borrowers struggling with outstanding debt.

Jennifer Lawrence, however, said that her latest movie, 'No Hard Feelings,' an R-rated comedy, might not be suitable for Cy

Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales refused to resign on Friday after a week of heavy criticism for his unsolicited kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso...

VIDEO: Rand Paul uses LIV - PGA hearing to complain about college basketball players getting paid.

SYDNEY Australia's central bank on Tuesday raised interest rates by a quarter-point to an 11-year high, and warned

PARIS France's manufacturing sector continued contracting in June, according to a monthly survey, although the decline was not

Larry Sinclair, the convicted criminal who claimed to have had drug fuelled sex with Barack Obama in a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, has been slammed by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. Blogger and businessman Portnoy, whose website has become one of the best read sports news sources in the US, said he met Sinclair at Carlson’s studio when he was filming his own interview with the fired Fox News host. He said: “I would trust Anna Delvey before I trusted anything Larry Sinclair said,” referring to the famous con artist on whose life the recent TV show Inventing Anna was based. “Top to bottom maybe the least trustworthy human I've ever laid eyes on. I’d say his story has 0.0% of being true and that’s generous.” Carlson’s interview with Sinclair aired on Wednesday, in which Sinclair repeated longstanding, unfounded claims that he used cocaine and had sex with the former President twice. Sinclair’s claims refer to supposed incidents in 1999, when the politician was working in the Illinois government and already had a public profile, just before his meteoric rise in the 2000s. The claims have never been verified, despite Sinclair repeating them since 2008, when Obama was running for his first term as president. They are compounded by the fact Sinclair has a long criminal record dating back to the 1980s. Convictions include counts of forgery, fraud and larceny. He has served time in prison in Arizona, Florida and Colorado. Despite all of this, Carlson has described Sinclair’s claims as “credible information that [Obama is] smoking crack and having sex with dudes”. Even Elon Musk, the X/Twitter owner whose platform has given Carlson a new lease of life since he was fired from Fox News earlier this year, seemed thrown by the bizarre interview. He tweeted: “Of course, the probability that [Sinclair’s] claims are true would have to rest on objective evidence, rather than claims made by someone with a dubious history.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

The contest flouts laws against food waste and "misleads" people into over-ordering, authorities say.