Dutch expertise; Amsterdam polish its historic charm. The capital of the Netherlands is entering a new golden era? By Raphael Kadushin, executive summary by darmansjah
When Unesco acclaim Amsterdam canal areaas a World Heritage site in July 2010, and immediately recognized the image of the city is changing. For decades, Amsterdam holds a negative reputation as a center for prostitution and most stretching bachelor party in Europe.
This ordain restore the prestige of the great canal. Renovation of historic attractions received positive appreciation from the local people, making Amsterdam the Netherlands is now over its nuances.
WHAT TO DO Enjoy the splendor Canal District and catching one of the tour boats that ply the four main canal (Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht). Skip the typical canal house 17th-century jeweled milkmaids, mermaids, swans, and sea monsters.
Not far from the Singel, there is a floating flower market offering a bouquet of colorful tulips (including dark purple).
Heading northwest Singel, flown Spui square packed with the students at the University of Amsterdam. The square is framed by the cafes and bookstores, including the Athenaeum(offer distinctive works of art and historic Dutch). Surprisingly, there is a direct path that leads from a crowded place where it's quiet: Begijnhof, a beautiful pastoral courtyard surrounded medieval houses. Formerly, be a refuge for virgins and widows.
FoamMuseumhasgalleriescreationcontainsadiverse collection ofcreative, coveringthe work ofdocumentary, high-valueartandhistoric photographs. Consider alsothe uniquework ofgreatphotographersunder 30years old.
Canal HouseMuseum(www.hetgrachtenhuis.com) which was built inthe 17th centuryis anew touristspotin theChannelDistrict, which is restoredby ateam of artists, architects, andculturalhistorian. InteractiveTechnologydescribesthe evolution ofthe houseand around thecanal. Imagesof lifeinthe golden era ofcitizenAmstedamprojected ontothe wall.
Townspeopleusually goshopping atunique boutiquesrowNineStreets, located in a narrowrockypaththat connects themajorcanals. Alsostop bythe bakeryPump-Dourtoenjoycakeorcandypeachgreen tea.
The fanscame tofashionboutiquesofferingMargrietNanningfashion collectionof men and women. Also, visitAdrianwhosellsmen'sclothing andshoescoloredand patternedfestive.
Otheristis like acartcontaininga giantgoldenkeyssoeven ifyou can not affordto buy a houseby the canal, you can stillopen thedoor ofone of the houses. You never knowwhich one.FrozenFountainisa showroomforcontemporaryDutchdesignerssuch asMarcelWanders, ceramicsdecorated withancient andclassicalmotifDelft. Beside, PrinsheerlijkAntiques, antiquestoredisplayartwork, fromsleightolightthe baroquestyle.
WHERE TO EAT in Vinkeles dining room, at the Dylan Hotel, still has a brick oven made the 18th century to produce bread. Menu-made Chef Dennis Kuipers recommended in the Michelin travel guide book, like langoustines roasted and boiled bird chest.
Bordewijk favored local residents offering typical French luxury and comfort in the Lowlandstypical plate of pate of smoked beef combined foigeas Amsterdam.
In the south eizersgracht, there is Café Walem a more relaxed and interesting people to eat brown bread Amsterdam coated goat cheese melt.
Leave space in the stomach to eat a variety of Indonesian dishes at Long Pura Restaurant, which serves rijsttafel, from sweetness (chicken seasoning Bali) to spicy (pork cooked tomato sauce).
WHERE TO STAY Hotel de L'Europe on the banks of the river Amstel has 23 rooms a new type of Dutch Masters Wing Master, each decorated with paintings from the Rijksmuseum.
Canal House decorated with shades of purple and black. no rear garden designed specifically for romantic dinners.
Canal-style town house, Ambassede offers a beautiful view of the Herengracht canal room upstairs. ambassade is a favorite author of the book tour, which features a library of books containing the remains of the guests, such as Salman Rusdie, Jonathan Franzen, and Isabel Allende.
Even more Spartan, 't hotel with eight rooms that allow you to feel living in an artificial canal houses the 17th century; please please any artificial lift the 21st century.
Several windows at Seven Bridges Hoteloffers views of seven series bridges.
Navigate theChannelDistrict, the surgethat residesmakestheauthenticAmsterdamtrot.
Ifyouonly havea bit oftime toexplore theCanalDistrict, toward to thenorthwest end. AnchoronPrinsengrachtcanalanddiffuse withJordaan, whoinhabitedtheclassicbohemianworkers. This channel isfilled withclassiclandmarksAmsterdamandnativeAmsterdammers(they who give voicewhistlebikes).
WESTERKIRKProtestantchurchbuilt inthe 17th century, where there isthe tomb ofRembrandt, whodied in adad, also85meterhigh towerthat canbe climbed(without the need to count186rungs). The best visitingtimein the summertoget apanoramic view ofthe towerslightlyshaking ashigh windshit.
ANNEFRANKHOUSEspite of thelarge number of visitorseveryday, a special roomwhere theFrankfamilyhiddivingtwo yearsaway fromthe Nazisis stillcausinggrief. Anne's diary was red-green displayin thenewmuseum,inauguratedby QueenBeatrixin 2010.
CAFÉT'SMALLEstorey buildingoccupiesa dark brown color- ascocoacoloredpatina. In the beginningwas therefining anddistribution ofthe famousdrinkjenever(ginjuniperflavortypical Dutch). The interior isdecorated withcopperlampworthof paintings byJohannesVermeer.
NoordermarktsquareintheJordaan's charmingbohemianlocalbi-weekly toenjoy the attractions: MarketSaturday morningofferingagricultural productsincludingDutchcheesesround andSunday morningmarketsellingtypical Indiangoods, cider,Delftpottery, and others.
MUSEUM houseboatonPrinsengracht, which opened to the publicthisoffers youthe sensation oflivingin the canal.
