{Since our summer vacation won't be happening until fall, I thought I'd continue this series about fabulous cities to visit!} Amsterdam is a beautiful old city with an extensive artistic heritage, beautiful canals and decorative narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city’s 17th-century. It's easy to see how the beauty of this old city inspired the Dutch masters to create breathtaking works of art during the Golden Age. I am taking you with me today to some of my favorite places to visit in Amsterdam. Not only do Amsterdammers live in beautiful homes, quite a few of them live in "house boats" on the many canals lining the streets. Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, and one of the world's most interesting city destinations. It's city best walked, or cycled. At last count there were 800,000 bicycles in Amsterdam, if you are an accomplished cyclist, there are plenty of bikes for rent. WHERE TO SIGHT SEE: Every area of Amsterdam has its own beauty and charm, so depending on how long you will be there, you'll have to choose a few destinations you really want to visit. Narrow down your list of “must do and see.” My current two favorites: RIJKSMUSEM. Amsterdam is home to many art museums, the Rijksmuseum is filled with astounding art works. Find it, and the Van Gogh and Stedelijk Museums on the Museum Plein. The Museum plein is called the cultural beating heart of Amsterdam, the open square between the buildings has open-air exhibitions, markets and a large water pool in the center to cool you off {at least visually} on warmer days. The museum has a dream library! When I was a little girl, I used to dream of waking up there when I just learned to read. A weekly trip to our local library with my Mom was the highlight of my week, and the thought of all those books, and that spiral staircase, figured large in my young girl's imagination. ANNE FRANK HOUSE. Situated on the Prinsengracht, the house where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis for two years before being discovered is worth a visit. The front of the house is a museum, but the back annex has been preserved as it was to give you an idea of what life was like for Anne and the families she hid with. Buy tickets online, they only reserve 20% of each day's tickets for sales at the door, and there is always a long line. You will have a certain time slot to visit if you book tickets ahead of time. TAKE A CANAL BOAT CRUISE. Okay, I fibbed. Here is number three. Amsterdam by canal is unbelievably beautiful, by day and at night. In the evening the bridges are lit up with small decorative lights, and the whole area is beyond magical. Floating along the canals with a guided tour boat is the perfect way to learn lots of fascinating facts about the city, and you will get a really good feel for the city. WHERE TO SHOP: Amsterdam is home to some of the most sophisticated shops in the world. It boasts lots of little side streets, each home to many interesting, one of a kind little shops! THE JORDAAN. Called Amsterdam’s most charming neighbourhood, wandering through the Jordan's narrow streets and quaint buildings is like stepping back into time. World class independent art galleries, antique shops and boutiques are joined by phenomenal restaurants and bars. THE NINE STREETS. East from the Prinsengracht, the charming streets that run along the grandest canals in the city are known as "De Negen Straatjes" or "The Nine Streets" - it's a special neighborhood filled with vintage and designer shops, specialty boutiques, and cosy cafés. WATERLOO PLEIN. This is the place for you if you want to visit Amsterdam's largest daily flea market. The Waterloo Plein flea market is open from Monday thru Saturday. Located in the heart of the city, you can spend a couple of hours there looking for that treasure to take home, and/or get a taste for the local culture. It's located right by the Amsterdam City Hall, The Rembrandt Huis, and the National Opera. WHERE TO EAT: THE WHITE ROOM. To experience old-world elegance mixed in with modern Dutch sensibility, visit The White Room. Considered to be the oldest restaurant in Amsterdam in its original condition, it opened in 1885. Situated in the Grand Hotel Krasnapolski on the Dam in the center of Amsterdam, it is not only beautiful, but elegant and chic. The beautiful rococo interiors are stunningly furnished with all white furniture that is a modern compliment to all the amazing wall treatments.

The White Room serves lunch and dinner, they are masters at "nouvelle cuisine", their food is beautifully prepared from the freshest ingredients. A four course meal starts at 65.00 Euro per person. LION NOIR. During the summer months, head for the outdoor terrace, a hidden gem in the city! For lunch they serve both the ultra-Dutch "pasteitje" a pastry case filled with ragout, a Dutch cheese sandwich, truffle risotto, but also burgers and salads. The downstairs bar is world famous for their beautiful presentation of their specialty cocktails. They are located in "the happening" Reguliersdwarsstraat 28. UPSTAIRS PANCAKES This is one of the first restaurants Mr. FrenchGardenHouse and I ever ate at together, it holds a special place in my heart. Quirky, but super fun! They only serve {huge!} pancakes here. Upstairs Pancakes is in a typical Amsterdam house dating back to 1539, in the center of Amsterdam. Established in 1962, it is the smallest restaurant in Europe with only 6 tables. By climbing a very steep staircase, you reach the restaurant on the second floor. Be sure to visit their website and make a reservation. I recommend it! {did I mention a VERY STEEP STAIRCASE?} {The Housewives of Beverly Hills had pancakes here too!} WHERE TO WALK. This is a hard one, because the whole city is a walking paradise! VONDEL PARK. The city's large green park is always filled with something beautiful to look at. Take a walk here, or bring a picnic lunch and sit somewhere and listen to the birds sing! The park has English-style gardens with ponds, footbridges and winding footpaths, and sculptures including Picasso's The Fish. THE FLOWER MARKET. The world famous flower market in Amsterdam is on the Singel Canal. it is one of Amsterdam’s main attractions for tourists and residents. The flower seller's stalls are floating ones, you can buy tulips of every color, but also bulbs to send back home. And, as the Dutch have a centuries long affinity with flowers, plenty of other flowers in stunning bouquets! They are inexpensive enough to buy one and have in your hotel room {extra water pitcher?} to liven up your temporary home in the Netherlands. No matter where you go in Amsterdam, there is always plenty to do, see and experience! I hope you enjoyed your arm-chair visit with me!

à bientôt

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