Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is like a different world. 

I love how Amsterdam has a completely different feel than London for example. Or Warsaw. Or Berlin. It might be because of the canals, pretty buildings that survived hundreds of years or just an utterly international character of the city. 

 Amsterdam is so different from Leiden. Leiden is pretty, true, and really cosy, but it's a small town, let's face it. You cannot go around without bumping into someone you know. And it's great, but Amsterdam gives so much more opportunity to disappear somewhere for a few hours and just enjoying yourself. And, what is even better, Amsterdam does not feel that big at all. It still has little pretty streets, quiet cafes, lovely parks and everything that I'd dream of. And it's yet another place which actually feels like home, like kind of a place where I could live in the future. In one of those fantastic houses with big windows facing the canals, with fancy door knobs and a house cat. Not as if Leiden didn't have beautiful houses, but there's something about the atmosphere in Amsterdam that makes it really special.

Plus, Amsterdam is so much more varied than where I live now. Of course, there's an awful lot of international students in Leiden, but still the Dutch dominate. On the other hand, in Amsterdam you cannot walk five steps without hearing another language. And I love that, because I'm really used to an international environment. It's more interesting and more fun. And it does not feel that odd to be a foreigner myself. Actually, I felt quite in place there. ;)

 Also, I do recommend going there with someone who knows the city: there are so many hidden gems there. Or you may want to just walk around and stumble across some of them by yourself...