DK Travel : Amsterdam

Amsterdam has an appeal that is absolutely unique. It’s a vibrant place, a treasure-trove of extraordinary artistic riches, and the living embodiment of 900 years of history, during which it rose to become the centre of a huge global empire. After a period of decline, it matured into today’s relaxed and tolerant modern metropolis. Elegant and serene, Amsterdam also has its seamy side, and this too is part of its character, as much as its famous network of canals. Whatever you are looking for, this small city packs a big punch.

1932–7

These years see the rise of the Dutch Nazi Party under Anton Mussert; they also see waves of Jewish immigration from Hitler’s Germany.
1940–45: German Occupation

Despite Dutch neutrality, Germany invaded Holland in May 1940. With the deportation of Jews to concentration camps from 1942 onwards, the Dutch Resistance became active and underground newspapers thrived. Canadian troops liberated Amsterdam on 5 May 1945.
1941

In February, nine months into the German Occupation, the dockworkers strike in protest at the arrest and round-up of 450 Jews.
1942

The deportation of the Jews to Nazi death camps begins. Many Jews, including Anne Frank’s family, go into hiding. Of the 80,000 living in pre-war Amsterdam, only 5,000 will survive the war.
1945

Amsterdam is liberated by Canadian troops on 5 May.
1947

Anne Frank’s diary is published (see Anne Frankhuis).
1975

Violent protests break out against the destruction of the Jodenbuurt – the old Jewish Quarter – in the Nieuwmarkt.
2002:Wedding of the Crown Prince

On 2 February 2002, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander married Máxima Zorreguieta in the Nieuwe Kerk, followed by a reception in the Koninklijke Paleis. After a difficult start, due to her father’s involvement with the Videla regime in Argentina, Máxima won the hearts of the Dutch public.
A Day in the Museum Quarter

Morning

Depending on your taste in art, start the day either in the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum . If you choose the former, be selective, and do bear in mind that from late 2003, the main building will be closed for restoration, (see Rijksmuseum). Whichever museum you visit, you should aim to spend the whole morning there. The Van Gogh Museum has a useful ground floor café, and you can end your visit with a browse in the museum shop next to the main entrance.

Next, cross Museumplein to the Concertgebouw and pop in for a look. Make your way to Art Deco Brasserie van Baerle (Van Baerlestraat 158) for lunch. It has a lovely shady garden and is popular, so it’s worth booking a table.

Afternoon

Head back to Paulus Potterstraat and Coster Diamonds, where you could take one of the halfhour tours. Afterwards, walk along Hobbemastraat until you reach the elegant shops of P C Hooftstraat. Turn left and window-shop your way along the street.

If your feet are up to it, spend an hour or so strolling around the Vondelpark, finishing either at the Blauwe Theehuis)or the Nederlands Filmmuseum’s Café Vertigo, which has a lovely terrace overlooking the park. You could end with a visit to the Hollandsche Manege, which opens till midnight on weekdays.
A Day in the Nieuwe Zijde

Morning

Spend the morning in the Amsterdams Historisch Museum , although a morning is scarcely enough. When you feel like a break, leave the main building and head for the Kalverstraat entrance, where the café-restaurant David and Goliath is on your left. Make sure that you keep your ticket so that you can re-enter the museum without having to pay again. The end of the tour brings you to the excellent museum shop.

Rather than leaving by one of the exits, cut through the Civic Guards’ Gallery to the Begijnhof , and while away some time in this secluded place. Come out of the Gedempte Begijnensloot entrance and turn the corner into Spui, where you might lunch at Café Hoppeor Café Esprit (Spui 10).

Afternoon

After lunch, walk down Kalverstraat, the district’s main shopping street, to Dam Square, where you could visit the Koninklijk Paleis as well as the Nieuwe Kerk. Then take a break among the tiny shops built into the buttresses of the church in Gravenstraat; at No.18, De Drie Fleschjes is one of the oldestproeflokalen (tasting houses), dating from 1650.

When you are revived, walk down Damrak past the Beurs van Berlage to finish your day at the Centraal Station, where you can hop on a tram back to your hotel.