Site Home - What's New? -Feedback - About Jack-  Travel/Art Links

Amsterdam

Amsterdam on line hotel booking

Amsterdam tour-Far from the madding crowd (part 1)
A different tour to Rokin


Kroller Muller Museum

 

Back to Amsterdam far from crowd contents

Amsterdam and Jews

Restaurants recommendation
Far from the madding crowd in Amsterdam.
It could be a game: I say Amsterdam, and you? Answers will probably be: canals, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, the Anne Frank house, theatre Carré and coffeeshops. So let's forget that and talk about something else. 
Amsterdam is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for many years . Very good promotion executives and good sellers of Amsterdam's image, that's very important. Only Paris, Rome and London attract more visitors. 
But that's nothing new! It's already since the 17th century that the city was called "The Miracle of Europe" by a lot of travellers. Most of today's tourists come for the historical ambience of centre town. More than 6,800 houses, buildings and constructions are protected and to tell you the truth, in my opinion, there is even much more to discover. So let this be a stroll, a walk, a visit, far from the madding crowd.

Rembrandtplein

Let's start at the Rembrandtplein that we leave right away, leaving the numerousdancings, discos, strip-tease joints and hamburger chains behind us. We walk slowly and leisurely through a small alley to the Amstel. Here is a view on the "Munttoren" (Mint Tower), one of the last remains of the medieval wall. From the bridge you have a good view on the multiple flower stalls of the Bloemenmarkt and at the opposite side the impressive "Doelen Hotel". Also the chique "Hotel de l'Europe" and the backside of "De Jaren", with several trendy cafes, agreeable seating and where they serve excellent beer (Belgian beer of course).
Cross the bridge and continue some time on the Turfmarkt. No camera freaks in sight, they are a little further where you can watch some pretty, small drawbridges. Continue through the Nieuwe Doelenstraat to the Staalstraat. Don't waste too much time there because our final stop will be in the Lange Brugsteeg and Grimburgwal. A lot of silver shops are gathered here. Display windows glitter with magnificent antique pieces next to modern creations. Now we go along the Oudezijds Voorburgwal along the universitary museum where the "Atheneum Illustre" was located between 1632 and 1921. Call it the University of Amsterdam. A little further we arrive at "The Grand". It's a superb hotel with a "Café Roux", a luxurious "Grand Café" where a drinking a cup of coffee is quite an event. 
After this well-earned break, let's head to "Het Rokin". 

Rokin

Not so long ago, the ROKIN was a serious shopping street, but today shops selling cellular phones, videogames and other electronic things are conquering the terrain without mercy. If you can find more tasteless publicity panels than the ones you see there, please mail me, I don't think it is possible. 
But pay attention to the gold coloured lanterns. Strange? I would bet so! The one, more discreet is an homage to the sculptor Jean Arp. The other one, more impressive honours the illustrious Brancusi. Watch out for the bicycles! They have a free road and are entitled to drive you on the ground! By the way, I saw some who didn't hesitate to push and punch those who were in their way. 
A genuine, pure race Amsterdammer, who noticed me looking around, approaches to offer me his help and explain everything. This, that and this and that and this I still have to do. The good fella, sincerely pitying me because he thought I was lost, cites me the great classic Amsterdam sites. I thank him sincerely without telling him it was exactly what I didn't' want to see.