-
Step 1
The five-star Grand Amsterdam Sofitel Demeure is at the top of the list for luxury rating. It is touted as one of the best hotels in the world by Travel & Leisure Magazine. It once served as a convent in the 15th century and most recently was the location of Queen Beatrix’s wedding reception. If you prefer a more intimate experience, Dumas and Corsidine offer every comfort of a luxury hotel with a home atmosphere. Revel in their fresh gourmet cooking. The best thing is that they use totally “green” energy, produced with sun, wind or water. Van Ostade Bicycle Hotel is reasonably priced and offers bicycle tours of Amsterdam. Rooms are on the smaller side and furnishing is simple in this budget hotel. However, free internet is offered along with a healthy breakfast and bicycle rentals.
-
Step 2
Float down the Amsterdam canals. You will see seventeenth-century mansions, characteristic houseboats and medieval architecture. These canals were once the main source of transportation in the city. You can take a cruise or rent pedal boats. Many times the bridges are low and the canals are narrow. You will have better access if you rent a pedal boat.
-
Step 3
Peruse 17th-century art at Rijksmuseum. See the work of Dutch masters such as Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Vermeer. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily with later hours on Fridays. You can even catch the Canal Bus or Museum Boat to get there. Both will drop you off within a 10-minute walk from the entrance of the museum. Allow a minimum of an hour and a half to see everything.
-
Step 4
Walk through history at the Anne Frank House. This is where Anne wrote her diary as a young Jewish girl in hiding during World War II. The Canal Bus and Museum Boat will both drop you off at the front entrance. It is best to purchase tickets ahead of time as the lines can be quite long. Another option is to come early or late in the day when crowds are lessened. The museum opens daily at 9 a.m. with closing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. depending on the time of year.
-
Step 5
For high-end clothing and jewelry stores stroll through Pieter Cornelisz Hoofstraat (P.C. for short). If you are out visiting some of the historic museums you’ll find it in the same district. More moderately priced merchandise is wedged into shops here and there. If you are more into finding hidden treasures and funky items then you will be happier at De Jordaan, a maze of narrow streets filled with unique boutiques, artist studios and galleries.
-
Step 6
Take a ride over to the Royal Palace to see where Louis Bonaparte lived while ruling Holland. The highlights of the mansion are the French furniture left by Bonaparte and the paintings of Rembrandt’s students, Govert Flinck and Ferdinand Bol. The Royal Palace is located in Dam Square. Guided tours are offered during the summer only.
-
Step 7
Enjoy free lunchtime concerts every Wednesday from September to June. The Concertgebouw treats the public to one of their rehearsals. There are also free Tuesday lunch concerts at the Boekmanzaal room in the Muziektheater complex. You might be treated to music of the Netherlands Philharmonic, the Netherlands Opera Choir or the Netherlands Ballet Orchestra.
