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Elisabeth54 Mar 25th, 2018 05:16 AM

To me a visit to Amsterdam has to include the Rijksmuseum. They are temporarily open on Friday nights. www.rijksmuseum.nl You can reserve tickets on-line.

Something different, perhaps for lunch: from the back of the Amsterdam Central Station you can take a free passenger ferry across the IJ river. Walk over to the EYE Film Institute. From there you have a beautiful view of the river. A simple but tasty lunch is served at the EYE Film Institute. https://www.eyefilm.nl/en/activities/restaurant

Another restaurant which I can recommend is called Solo. It's right across from the Concertgebouw Music Hall. https://www.soloetenendrinken.nl

Of course no visit to Amsterdam is complete (at least in my view) without an authentic Indonesian meal. What the Indian and Bangladeshi cuisines are in the UK, Indonesian food is in the Netherlands. It's unique because outside of Indonesia you will probably only find Indonesian restaurants in the Netherlands.
Personally I like Indrapura on Rembrandtplein and Sama Sebo on P.C. Hooftstraat but there are dozens of Indonesian restaurants in Amsterdam.
Check Tripadvisor best Indonesian restaurants in Amsterdam for a list.
You probably need to make restaurant reservations ahead of time for April 27th. It will indeed be one of the busiest days of the year.

PalenQ Mar 25th, 2018 06:41 AM

Yes free pedestrian/bike ferries from back of Central Station across the IJ are great - not just to reach the EYE Film Institute but just to see Amsterdam's ancient facade from across the water.

ParisAmsterdam Mar 25th, 2018 06:55 AM

Rijksmuseum
 
Even if you are not usually into art museums do yourselves a favour and go to the Rijksmuseum. Be sure to see Rembrandt's huge masterpiece, The Nightwatch. Then on your way to see his house, be sure to stop at Rembrandt Plein (Dutch for square) and see what is there. I won't say what but I was really amazed! ;÷)

PalenQ Mar 25th, 2018 07:50 AM

Rembrandtplein or Square is full of bars where younger Dutch folk flock to stand up and drink all night and seemingly have a great time. There is a statue of Rembrandt in the square.

suze Mar 25th, 2018 09:01 AM

The coolest thing I saw was when I was wandering around one evening and in Leidseplein Square came across street performers, fire dancers, etc. It was a pretty amazing free (busking for tips) performance.

Elisabeth54 Mar 27th, 2018 04:45 AM

Just an added note, which is actually a suggestion to everyone who plans to visit Amsterdam and has an interest in the history and background of this remarkable city.
Russel Shorto (historian, NY Times contributing author) has written a very good book about Amsterdam seen from a historic perspective, reflecting upon the importance of historic events that shape a community. I highly recommend it. "Amsterdam, a history of the world's most liberal city" .

menachem Mar 27th, 2018 09:25 AM


Originally Posted by PalenQ (Post 16700799)
Rembrandtplein or Square is full of bars where younger Dutch folk flock to stand up and drink all night and seemingly have a great time. There is a statue of Rembrandt in the square.

No there isn't a statue anymore, and Rembrandtplein is a cesspit. As is Leidseplein.

menachem Mar 27th, 2018 09:26 AM


Originally Posted by Elisabeth54 (Post 16701878)
Just an added note, which is actually a suggestion to everyone who plans to visit Amsterdam and has an interest in the history and background of this remarkable city.
Russel Shorto (historian, NY Times contributing author) has written a very good book about Amsterdam seen from a historic perspective, reflecting upon the importance of historic events that shape a community. I highly recommend it. "Amsterdam, a history of the world's most liberal city" .

Also interesting is Simon Schama's "An Embarrassment of Riches"

StCirq Mar 27th, 2018 09:33 AM

And this, which is less pithy and covers more than Amsterdam:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/...-are-different

menachem Mar 27th, 2018 09:59 AM


Originally Posted by StCirq (Post 16702007)
And this, which is less pithy and covers more than Amsterdam:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/...-are-different

Scratches at the surface. Ian Buruma's work is also quite good. For instance his "Murder in Amsterdam", on the attack on filmmaker and bęte noir Theo van Gogh (yes, related to) https://www.theguardian.com/books/20...iography.islam


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