About Amsterdam

Outside of Hours

The Dam (or Dam Square) is the symbolic heart of the city. On one side stands the National Monument, whose sculptured human figures represent freedom from tyranny. On May 4 each year, the Queen and members of the government lay wreaths here during a ceremony to commemorate the country’s war dead. On the other side, you see the Royal Palace, dating from 1655. Many of its state rooms are open to the public.

In a popular Dutch song, an admirer pledges his heart forever to the canals of Amsterdam. No wonder! They give the city a charm that’s hard to resist. Get to know the Grachtengordel, the intricate web of waterways in the heart of the city. Linger on the bridges and watch the boats go by beneath you or take one of the many canal tours.

Amsterdam’s infamous red light district, where prostitutes display themselves invitingly in glazed doorways, is located around the Wallen canals. Right in the middle of this pleasure playground, you’ll find the city’s oldest church, the Oude Kerk. Many of the churches in the city have bell-towers with carillons, and their music can be heard playing above the hum of the traffic and when you want a break from the bustle of the city, the beautiful Begijnhof courtyard just off Spui is an oasis of tranquillity. The church in the centre was once the spiritual home of the Pilgrim Fathers.

Alternatively, you can get a breath of fresh air in the city’s ‘green lung’, the 49 hectares of the Vondelpark, close to the city centre and easily reached via the gate on Stadhouderskade.

A visit to the Van Gogh Museum is a unique experience. The Museum houses the largest collection of Van Gogh’s work. You will find more than 200 exceptional canvases from the Master’s hand, as well as 500 drawings and 700 written documents. Together these provide a fantastic insight into his life and work. In the Museum, Van Gogh’s work is arranged in five chronological periods. These periods correspond with a certain phase in Van Gogh’s life and work.

The phases in order are: the Netherlands, Paris, Arles, Saint-Rémy en Auvers-sur-Oise. Vincent van Gogh made many self-portraits. The Self-Portrait with Felt Hat is one of these. Another well-known painting by Van Gogh is ‘The bedroom’. In this Van Gogh portrays his own simply furnished bedroom.   An extensive permanent collection of other 19th century artists can also be viewed in the Museum. These were contemporaries and friends of Van Gogh, and include Paul Gauguin and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Van Gogh met these artists in Paris. Here he saw with his own eyes how the French artists created their Impressionist pictures. Vincent studied here for several months and this greatly influenced his work. It gave a different light in his pictures and the colours on his palate became lighter.

There is also the Heineken Experience; this multimedia event acquaints you with the world of Heineken, the world’s largest beer exporter. The presentation is both fun and educational.

For further information on where to go and what’s on in Amsterdam please visit http://www.holland.com/amsterdam/gb/

Restaurants & Bars

Supper Club        21 Jonge Roelensteeg Old Centre     Amsterdam        Tel: + 31 (0) 20 638 0513	De Still Spuistraat 326 -A 1012 VX Amsterdam Tel: + 31 (0) 20 427 6809
Ban-To  Banstraat 14  Amsterdam  Tel: + 31 (0) 20 471 02 82	Blauw Aan De Wal  O.Z. Achterburgwal 99 Amsterdam Tel: +31 (0) 20 330 22 57