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.

Pasta Panini

A fabulous Italian deli. Great for freshly-filled ciabattas at lunchtime or hand-made pasta for supper. Plus a tantalizing range of cookies, soup, sauces and wine.
Patat

Served from street stalls in a handy paper cone, chips (french fries) are ubiquitous, and very good indeed. They are generally made from whole (not pulped) Dutch potatoes, and fried in good, clean fat. Served with a large dollop of mayonnaise, they are definitely not for the dietconscious. For the very best, go to Vleminckx.
Pediment Carvings

Carvings often decorate the triangular or rounded form above doorways: see the Felix Meritis Building.
Pied-á-Terre

Spend an afternoon browsing the huge stock of travel guides and maps, while planning your next holiday or a short trip out of town.
Piet Mondriaan

Although he lived in London, Paris and New York (and few of his works are on show in Amsterdam), Mondriaan was born and grew up in Holland (1872–1944). A leading member of the De Stijl movement, he created an abstract style using the simplest elements: straight lines and blocks of primary colour, arranged on the canvas to create harmony and balance.
Pieter Claesz

As well as portraits, genre paintings and landscapes, still lives had an important place in Dutch 17th-century art. Peter Claesz (1597–1661) reached a peak of technical skill in his harmonious if academic compositions, which are replete with symbolic detail.
Pieter Stuyvesant

Stuyvesant (1592–1672) was Governor of the colony of Nieuw Amsterdam, later to be New York, from 1646–64.
Pils

The national drink of the Netherlands is beer.Pils – top brands Heineken and Grolsch – is the lager-like beer served (with froth) in bars. The Dutch generally drink it from small glasses, so it remains ice-cold to the last drop.
Pintohuis

Named after the Portuguese merchant Isaac de Pinto, who paid an exorbitant 30,000 guilders for it in 1651, the building has an impressive Italianate façade and ceiling paintings by Jacob de Wit.
Plantage

With its distinguished villas, tree-lined streets, parks and gardens, Plantageis a calm district to explore by bike (with the exception of busy Plantage Middenlaan).