Amsterdam: The Last Days of Summer

The last days of summer are fresh with clear autumnal air to follow soon. September heralds the end of the tourist peak season. Mornings and evenings are cool, but afternoon temperatures are pleasant. Cafés continue to have outdoor seating. The trees begin to shed their leaves and no longer hide the 17th century gables of the mansions that line the canals. Crowds are not as bad as in July and August and queues at popular tourist attractions dwindle. Grab this opportunity and visit Van Gogh Museum...

August 19th, 2010 | Amsterdam, Photo Highlights | Read More

Prague: Cobblestones and Mosaic Patterns

Prague’s mosaic pavements glow gold late afternoon. They glisten like shed tears on rainy days. Prague’s pavements and streets are exquisite works of art. Look down and discover the different geometrical figures. Staroměstské náměstí, Old Town Square is a carpet of cobblestones. The cobbles are quite hard on the feet. That is why it is sensible to wear shoes with thick rubber soles. The square is Prague’s main tourist hub. The church in the background is St Nicolas Church, or Kostel sv....

August 13th, 2010 | On The Road, Photo Highlights | Read More

Amsterdam’s Canal Belt on UNESCO Heritage List

UNESCO has added Amsterdam’s Canal Belt to the list of World Heritage sites, because this part of Amsterdam is a showpiece of urban planning and architecture. Late 16th and early 17th century Amsterdam prospered and an ever increasing number of people settled in the city. To solve the housing shortage, Amsterdam embarked on the canal belt project. Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht and Singel were dug,four canals encircling the old city centre. They provided homes for the influx of people. Plots...

August 11th, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

Sun and Sea

Join the locals heading for Zandvoort beach, if you feel like a swim in the North Sea. In summer the resort is packed. A ten-minute walk away from the crowd, takes you to a quiet stretch of sandy beaches. Only the very brave go for a dip, because the sea is generally too cold for swimming. After all this is the NORTH Sea. The water temperature is highest in August and may even rise to a modest 20C (68F). The prevailing wind blows from the North-West and is chilly even on a hot summer day. But, when...

August 9th, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

Amsterdam Photo: Koninklijk Theater Carre

A bunch of jesters and clowns grin down from the cornice of the Carré Theatre. Koninklijk Theater Carré, Royal theatre Carré, stands on the Amstel River. Late nineteenth century, German-born Oscar Carré visited Amsterdam with his travelling circus and decided to stay. He built a temporary wooden tent but the city council considered it a fire trap. Carré replaced the tent by a stone building which is a cross between a circus tent and a theatre. Carré Circus attracted many people to Amsterdam....

August 7th, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

Visit 7 European Countries in One Minute

Take a trip around seven European countries in less than one minute. Impossible? Not in Amsterdam. Simply go to Roemer Visscherstraat. This street is also known as United Europe. The architect of seven houses in this street is Tjeerd Kuiper who became famous for his design of about fifty protestant throughout the Netherlands. However, in 1894, he built something completely different; a row of houses in architectural style of seven countries; Germany, Netherlands, France, Spain, Russia, Italy and...

August 5th, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

Why Spend August in Amsterdam

August is a perfect month for your Amsterdam trip. It is the warmest month of the year, but never too hot. The average day temperature is of 22°C or 72°F and ideal for a stroll through the city. Outdoor cafés have set up their terraces. Coffee shops put tables and seats up front. Amsterdammers sit in front of their houses, reading or chatting. Schools are still closed and many Amsterdammers are away on a holiday. This doesn’ t mean that you will have the city all to yourself. The influx...

August 3rd, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

Events in August

Amsterdam celebrates August with fairs, art festivals and street parties. Amsterdammers flock back from their holidays to join in. AUGUST EVENTS WHAT: Kwakoe Festival WHERE: Bijlmerpark, Amsterdam zuid oost (map WHEN: Saturday and Sunday 31 July and 1 August and Saturday and Sunday 7 and 8 Augus Kwakoe is a multi-cultural showcase of live music, dance and ethnic food. Over the years participation has widened and now includes other cultures, West-African, Chinese, Indonesian and lots more, showing...

August 1st, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

The Amsterdam Bike Experience

Pedal along wine-red bike lanes, across humpback bridges and along off-the-beaten-path canals. Your bike will whisk you about Amsterdam faster than the tram or a taxi. Rent a bike for your entire stay and feel like a local. Rent your bike from MacBike next to Centraal Station. Join their daily two-hour tour that runs along Dam Square, Royal Palace, Nieuwe Kerk, Rembrandtplein, Museumplein, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, De Pijp, Heineken Experience, Skinny Bridge, Plantage neighbourhood and Oosterdok,...

July 31st, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

Quick Guide to Leidseplein and Surroundings

Clanging white and blue trams hurtle down narrow Leidsestraat, scattering pedestrians and bicycles. This chaotic shopping street leads to Leidseplein and is filled with 24-hour Bureau de Change and souvenir shops all selling I-Amsterdam T-shirts. During the day the Leidseplein buzzes with fire-eaters, street musicians and mime artists. At night it is the hang-out for tourist revelers and the occasional local. The neon-lit streets leading off the square are packed with restaurants, cinemas, coffee...

July 29th, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

Amsterdam City Walk: Herengracht

Herengracht canal rings the city centre, linking Brouwersgracht in the north and the Amstel River in the south. The Herengracht was dug in 1612. Together with Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht, it provided housing for Amsterdam’s fast growing population. Wealthy merchants and gentlemen of independent means settled in the lavishly decorated canal-side mansions. Today, many of houses along Herengracht are too large for families to live in. They now function as offices for banks, lawyers and architects....

July 28th, 2010 | Amsterdam, Baby Boomers | Read More

Handbags and More Handbags

I rummage through my collection of handbags. Which one shall I use today? The fire-engine red one, a present from an old flame or the malachite green one with the secret pockets, a souvenir from Paris. I fish out the beige goatskin envelope clutch, a great Prada lookalike found in Hong Kong. I stuff my treasures in my faux Prada, clutch it under my arm, and off I go. My collection pales compared to the one owned by the Tassenmuseum Hendrikje, Museum of Bags and Purses. Housed in a 17th century building...

July 27th, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

Cool Heineken Store

Heineken is cool, frothy and Dutch. Heineken smiles at you. Take a Heineken can or bottle and have a good look at the letter ‘e’. The slight slant makes it into a smiling letter. What other Dutch beer brand do you know, Amstel? I was surprised to find Heineken: The City Store in Amstelstraat. Not all that surprised, because the Amstel Brewery was taken over by Heineken. Heineken brews beer for the Amstel brand. Heineken the City allows you to view, wear, listen and go on a trip with Heineken....

July 25th, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

Amsterdam: Europe’s Best City Break

When you think of Amsterdam several things come to mind. Most likely you will think of windmills, tulips, clogs, sex and drugs (and not necessarily in that order). Often overlooked are the world-class museums, quaint streets, romantic canals and 17th century architecture. WHY AMSTERDAM Amsterdam is a compact city and best explored on foot. Two or three days are more than enough to see the main sights. All attractions are densely packed around the historic centre. It is easy to walk or bike around...

July 23rd, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

Golden Bend Tableware

When it comes to shopping, Amsterdam is full of surprises. Golden Bend Tableware, Dorothee Verdaasdonk’s Dinner Plates Paradise is one of these. Her basement shop is cluttered with stacks of plates, all sizes. Dorothee sits right at the back behind her desk, overlooking her Nirvana. When I asked her if she sold a lot, she shrugged her shoulders, “Chinaware is my hobby, not my living.” The basement of a handsome 17th century mansion on Herengracht, one of the most sought after spots in Amsterdam...

July 21st, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

In the Twinkling Morning Star

Carved stone tablets identified dwellings until 1795, when Napoleon introduced house numbers. Many of these stone plaques still adorn the facades of houses in Amsterdam. Not only did they identify houses, they also reflected the owner’s occupation, religion or trade. A cooper lived at Nieuwe Leliegracht 84, because the wall tablet shows barrels. Many plaques depict animals. Would not it be lovely to say: I live in the De Swarte Kater (the black cat), instead of Bloedstraat 20. Or would you rather...

July 17th, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

Slow Down in Medieval Amersfoort

After a few days in hectic Amsterdam, you may like to slow down in a quieter place. Amersfoort is a medium-sized, typically Dutch city and your perfect escape from Amsterdam’s tourist scene. The city has preserved its medieval character and is a showcase of historic sights. Wander along idyllic canals, through cobbled streets and serene hofjes. Amersfoort is a compact city and you can see all sights in one day. If you want to visit Amersfoort’s topnotch museums, two days would be perfect....

July 16th, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

Summer in Amsterdam

When summer comes, Amsterdammers move outdoors. They populate outdoor cafés, lounge in the parks or bask in the sun before their own front door. When locals leave the city for holiday paradises in France, Spain or Greece, the tourist crowd moves in. Long days, pleasant temperatures and hundreds of outdoor festivals make summer the ideal time for a trip to Amsterdam. Outdoor terraces on every block and long summer evenings make people-watching and eating alfresco a true delight. Thirty parks and...

July 15th, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

Greece on the Amstel River

Restaurant Athene has the look, the feel and the taste of Greece. The lavish blue painted exterior makes you think that you are in a tavern in Greece. During warm weather the terrace with umbrella-shaded tables is the perfect spot to sip a glass of ouzo. Greek food is a delightful mix of Middle Eastern and European dishes. Athene’s menu plays safe with Greek favourites such as stifado,( beef stew), souvlaki arnisou (lamb grilled on a skewer) and gigantes (giant white beans in tomato sauce). Owner...

July 13th, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More

Dam Square where Tourists and Locals Meet

Are you meeting up with friend in Amsterdam? Dam Square and in particular the National Monument is the best place for your rendez-vous. This vast square buzzes with activity all year round. In spring, the fun fair attracts locals and tourists with its Ferris wheel. In summer, street entertainers and buskers mix with horse-drawn carts and marauding tour-guides thrusting their umbrellas proudly to the sky. In winter, Amsterdammers and visitors feed the hungry pigeons. Join the crowd, sit at the foot...

July 12th, 2010 | Amsterdam | Read More