{"id":17645,"date":"2019-07-18T14:00:28","date_gmt":"2019-07-18T06:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/?p=17645"},"modified":"2020-04-12T20:59:16","modified_gmt":"2020-04-12T12:59:16","slug":"exploring-the-heart-of-amsterdam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/exploring-the-heart-of-amsterdam\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring the heart of Amsterdam"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Canal Boat Tours, Fashionable Restaurants Plus Museums Celebrating The Artistic Heritage Of The Netherlands Count Among The Reasons To Spend Time In The Dutch Capital.<\/em><\/p>\n

There\u2019s something about cities with multiple waterways. They present so many options when it comes to exploring the attractions scattered within their urban boundaries. In Amsterdam\u2019s case, the historic canals are themselves an integral part of the city\u2019s charm.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Burgerzaal

Burgerzaal Royal Palace Amsterdam<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Villa

Villa at the Vondelpark-Koen Smilde Photography-Rechtenvrij<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you\u2019re an avid reader and planning a city break in Amsterdam you may appreciate acquiring a copy of The Fall by Albert Camus<\/em>. The French Existentialist philosopher set what proved his final complete novel in the Dutch capital. Jean-Baptiste Clamence, the story\u2019s principal character, famously asks the unnamed companion at whom he talks, \u201cHave you noticed that Amsterdam\u2019s concentric canals resemble the circles of hell?\u201d The fictional dialogue takes place in a seedy bar named Mexico City, for which a present-day Google search inevitably returns no address. In a city (in)famous for its nightlife, and with so many stylish bars to visit, why go shabby? 5&33<\/a>, the cocktail bar within the Art\u2019otel Amsterdam<\/em>, and Skylounge Amsterdam<\/a>, on the top floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station hotel<\/em>, are just two of the elegant, centrally situated venues that attract discerning clientele.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Interior

Interior store Overtoom-Koen Smilde Photography-Rechtenvrij<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Keukenhof

Keukenhof Windmill and Tulips -Laurens Lindhout-Rechtenvrij<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Clamence states that he never feels comfortable, \u201cexcept in lofty surroundings.\u201d So if he was to somehow fly from the pages of the book and land in the modern day Dutch capital, he may well feel at ease spouting his monologues while sipping a gin cocktail at Madam<\/em><\/a>, a subtly illuminated lounge bar and restaurant where an in-house DJ spins the music as dusk darkens into night. Up on the 20th floor of the A\u2019damToren<\/em><\/a>, the hip, minimalistic bar is within the repurposed corporate headquarters of Royal Dutch Shell and has floor-to-ceiling windows offering views over Amsterdam and the U-shaped network of canals that form a series of rings around the city\u2019s heart. Taking him at his word, he\u2019d also feel relaxed riding the swing, which lays claim to being Europe\u2019s highest, on the Lookout deck above Madam: bookings for time-slots can be made online or paid for on arrival.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Moses

Moses Room, Mozeszaal, former Vro Gereedschapskamer, Photo by Arjan Benning Copyright Royal Palace Amsterdam<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The A\u2019damToren \u2014 which you may also hear referred to as Amsterdam Tower <\/em>\u2014 stands on the north side of the River Ij<\/em> and is one of the best-known landmarks in what is regarded as an up-and-coming neighbourhood. To see it for yourself, step aboard one of the free, frequently running ferries that cross the broad waterway from the rear of Amsterdam Centraal Station, the transport hub designed in the late-19th century by Pierre Cuypers \u2014 the Dutch architect\u2019s other notable works include the Rijksmuseum<\/em><\/a>, the museum whose sizeable collection of artworks and historical artefacts provides an overview of how the nation\u2019s identity evolved. Within easy walking distance of the landmark tower stands the Eye Film Museum<\/em><\/a>, whose sleek, futuristic design encompasses an airy bar-restaurant with a spacious riverside terrace.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"A'dam

A’dam Lookout Credits Martijn Kort – Over The Edge<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Inevitably, in a city offering as much to see and do as Amsterdam, many first-time visitors never attempt to cross to the north bank of the Ij. To orientate, few experiences match boarding a canal boat for a tour of the waterways that were constructed during the 17th-century \u2014 the period of wealth, buoyed by global waterborne trade, now known as the Dutch Golden Age<\/em> \u2014 and designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2010. The low boats have arching windows, making tours a viable option even on rainy days that are otherwise ideal for spending time inside the cluster of cultural attractions at the Museumplein<\/em>. The grassy square is just beyond the Stadhouderskade,<\/em> the outermost ring of Amsterdam\u2019s central canal network. In addition to the ever-popular Rijksmuseum, art lovers can choose between the Stedelijk Museum<\/em><\/a>, displaying modern and contemporary works, and the Van Gogh Museum<\/em><\/a>, for which pre-booking a time-slot well in advance is advisable. One way for you and a guest to skip the queue is to purchase a Vincent\u2019s Friend<\/em> membership of the museum.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Gallery

Gallery of Honour Photo by Erik Smits, Rijksmuseum<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Lookout

Lookout \u00a9DennisBouman<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Take your pick from the tours on canal boats with departure points near to the central station and along Keizersgracht<\/em>, the grand canal named in honour of Emperor Maximilian on Austria. The popular boat tours last an hour and feature recorded, multi-lingual commentaries that point out sights such as the fa\u00e7ade of the Museum Van Loon<\/em><\/a>, a four-storey townhouse dating from 1672 \u2014 the opulent rooms convey the style and luxury in which Amsterdam\u2019s elite lived during the Dutch Golden Age. Boutique boat tours are also available. Leemstar <\/a>operates tours in small, handcrafted wooden boats with commentaries in English. If you\u2019re environmentally aware, you\u2019re likely to enjoy a two-hour Plastic Whale <\/em><\/a>tour: sightseeing is combined with highlighting the existential threat to our planet\u2019s marine life posed by carelessly discarded plastic. If you feel motivated to make a change, you can even participate in an exercise to fish plastic waste from the waterways.<\/p>\n

Green considerations tend to be embedded in Dutch thinking. That means the trams running on the well-connected public transport network represent as a good a way as any of getting about in central Amsterdam: 24-hour and multi-day passes are available for the system. Cycle hire<\/a> is also an option if you feel like going native and having an archetypal Dutch experience. Don\u2019t be surprised to see cyclists without helmets hurtling along the streets. And don\u2019t step out from the pavement without looking around \u2014 it pays to remain wary in streets busy with near-silent bicycles.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Canal

Canal in Summer-Geert Snoeijer-Redactioneel<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Gerard

Gerard Douplein Overview-Koen Smilde Photography-Rechtenvrij<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The de facto heart of Amsterdam is Dam Square<\/em>. The vast building now designated as the Royal Palace<\/em><\/a> overlooks the square on which public executions were carried out in distant centuries. Constructed as the city hall, with the intention of conveying the wealth and power of Amsterdam during the 1650s, the palace is utilised for state occasions. When King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima are not hosting representatives of foreign governments the palace opens its doors to visitors. The Citizen\u2019s Hall<\/em> has a shining marble floor and displays oil paintings by artists of the calibre of FerdinalBol and GovertFlinck, students of Rembrandt van Rijn<\/em>, whose artistic contributions to the Dutch Golden Age are being celebrated with exhibitions across Holland throughout 2019 \u2014 the 350th anniversary of his death.<\/p>\n

Rembrandt\u2019s most celebrated painting is the masterpiece popularly known as The Night Watch. The dynamic group portrait is displayed within the purpose-built Gallery of Honour at the Rijksmuseum, yet the famous work was originally displayed in the Kloveniersdoelen<\/em> \u2014 meaning the \u201cmusketeers\u2019 meeting hall\u201d \u2014 which is today the oldest hotel in the city, the 81-room NH Collection Amsterdam Doelen<\/em><\/a>. A copy of the artwork is displayed in the five-star hotel\u2019s logically named Rembrandt Suite. The riverside hotel is suitably placed if you like the idea of exploring the city centre on foot.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Hortus

Hortus Botanicus -Koen Smilde Photography-Rechtenvrij<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Kadijksplein-Geert

Kadijksplein-Geert Snoeijer-Redactioneel<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Impression

Impression of the Canal-Geert Snoeijer-Redactioneel<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Part of the same chain, the 451-room NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky<\/em><\/a>, named in honour of its original owner, opens onto Dam Square. It hosts The White Room<\/em><\/a>, serving cuisine reflecting the culinary vision of Jacob Jan Boerma. The elegant restaurant is one of 16 in Amsterdam distinguished with a single Michelin star.<\/p>\n

For an outstanding dining experience, Spectrum<\/em><\/a>, on Herengracht, is one of three restaurants within the city centre holding two Michelin stars. Chef Sidney Schutte and Sasha Speckemeier, the restaurant manager, lead the team that delivers a tasting menu recognised for its innovative flavour combinations. &Moshik <\/em><\/a>is another two-starred address. Named after its chef, Moshik Roth, the waterfront establishment serves delectable dishes such as Black Truffle Carpaccio and Sweetbreads on Hay.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Land

Land van Cocagneplein -Koen Smilde Photography-Rechtenvrij<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Looking for a light lunch? Caf\u00e9 Restaurant Stalpaert<\/em>, named after the architect who designed the National Maritime Museum<\/a>, can be accessed without entering the museum and is an option for a light lunch. Salads and Konningensoep \u2014 which translates as \u201cqueen\u2019s soup\u201d \u2014 feature on the menu. To gain an understanding of how the Dutch came to dominate global trade 400 years ago, it\u2019s worthwhile browsing the exhibits inside the historic landmark, which was built in 1656 as an arsenal to equip warships.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, a stylish option for lunch is Occo<\/em><\/a>, which also offers mid-afternoon \u2018high wine\u2019, rather than high tea, pairing wines with a selection of dishes from the kitchen. Like Vinkeles<\/em><\/a>, another of the city\u2019s Michelin-starred restaurants, Occo is inside the boutique Dylan Hotel<\/em><\/a>, whose 40 sumptuously decorated rooms are spread across two neighbouring buildings in the NegenStraatjes district. Meaning the \u201cnine little streets\u201d and centred around the Keizersgracht<\/em>, the area is worth browsing for its fashion boutiques, vintage clothing stores and beautifully laid-out shops packed with ideas for unusual gifts.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Royal

Royal Palace Amsterdam facade, photo copyright Royal Palace Amsterdam<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Villa

Villa at the Vondelpark-Koen Smilde Photography-Rechtenvrij<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you enjoy shopping or architecture, peek inside the Magna Plaza<\/em><\/a>, a shopping mall within the neo-Gothic style building that formerly served as Amsterdam\u2019s main post office. Designed by Cornelis Hendrik Peters, the building has an elegant feel, thanks to the natural light that floods its pillar-lined central hall. Brands such as Swarovski, Lacoste plus Cheese and More are represented. The mall stands two minutes\u2019 walk across Dam Square from de Bijenkorf<\/a><\/em>, Amsterdam\u2019s flagship department store.<\/p>\n

Historians may well believe that the 17th century was the Dutch Golden Age. If you enjoy multifaceted city breaks you\u2019re likely to find that contemporary Amsterdam also glisters.\u25fc<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Subscribe to the latest edition now by clicking here.<\/em><\/a><\/span>
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\u00a9 This article was first published in Apr-May 2019 edition of World Travel Magazine.<\/em><\/strong><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Canal Boat Tours, Fashionable Restaurants Plus Museums Celebrating The Artistic Heritage Of The Netherlands Count Among The Reasons To Spend Time In The Dutch Capital. There\u2019s something about cities with multiple waterways. They present so many options when it comes to exploring the attractions scattered within their urban boundaries. In Amsterdam\u2019s case, the historic canals […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":17646,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[1863,2021,1698,2012,2097,1307],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17645"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17645"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17645\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17645"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wtravelmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}