Manjit Devgun: Perhaps the coolest, most laid back city in Europe known for many things including its art museums and its glorious past as a well power, this is a city that in recent times has become famous for its tolerance. Today on City by City we visit Amsterdam.
Starting out from the 13th Century as a dam over the river Amstel, Amsterdam now features close to 200 canals and 1500 bridges and it’s often referred to as the Venice of the north.
On the single canal stop at the Bloemenmarkt an absolute mercy and one of the world’s most famous floating flower markets. Within these series of shops floating on barges, you can find all things related to flowers, so many seeds, bulbs, and gardening tools but how about the flowers? A huge selection of colors shapes and sizes from all over the world. You might see a few of what many called the National Flower of the Netherlands, the Tulip.
David Jagger: The Bloemenmarkt this year about 17 shops share one from the only places in Amsterdam where you can buy a flower in so many shops not far from each other.
Manjit Devgun: The Amsterdam night life offers many choices. The Mansion first stop by evening tour offers many choices in one building here in a gothic Mansion previously owned by the Dutch Royal Family, one stop shopping rules or should we say one stop bar hopping. There’s something for everyone here several bars on the ground floor, DJs, dance grooves and Chinese dumplings in the Dim Sum club.
Andy Martin: There are three separate bars all in one floor. An age bar is similar but the designs are different. We have really great cocktail shakers from different countries We have Italian guys, Australian guys, so you can get any drink that you wish.
Manjit Devgun: Antiques, candlelight, painted ceilings frescos, gold lift and ostrich leather walls create the impression of a private club and give The Mansion an unforgettable new take on old world elegance.
Now for the dining experience you’ll never know you’ll awaiting for. Pot lounge and restaurant, hot performance space, the super club, a Mecca for artist, writers, and musicians and provocative is a bold, sexy, unpredictable, extraordinary night house. Take off your shoes, have dinner in bed, enjoy the video projections, get a massage in an all white dining room someone will serve you multiple courses of fine Mediterranean cuisine while someone else might spin record or dance, here anything is possible.
Patty: We have five courses of surprise menu, and you’re laying down and relax and have a nice evening with food, and it can end up in a club night. Actually people who come here know there is entertainment but nobody knows what everything is going with the flow.
Manjit Devgun: Every night is different, atmospheric elements change the theme of each meal. Feel like wandering, meet Ingrid in the down stairs Lounge and dance club. So say that the Supper club is unusual is a flat out understatement, to pass it by is just wrong.
For a change of face Asian style head to Jimmy Woo, an exclusive nightclub model dock to extravagant home parties thrown by a fictional Hong Kong triad boss. Past meets present as the rich atmosphere seeps into you, silk fabrics, 18th Century Asian antiques is enhanced by fresh tropical fruit cocktails, state of the art sound, light, and design. Mr. Woo’s fabulous home party will be quite a memorable night out.
After so much urban energy, you might want to slow things down a bit. Try staying at the Lute Suites just out of town in the village of Ouderkerk, with a lovely tranquil setting on the Amsted River. The site of a former 18th Century gun powder factory has been converted into a restaurant and sudden split level free standing luxury cottage suites. Inside it’s all smart design contemporary art and superb river views. Created by restaurateur Peter Lute and fame Dutch designer Marcel Wanders, whose filled each anterior with his own imaginative creations the suites seem to surprise and delight.
Eva Michels: We are not really a hotel. We have seven suites. They used to be old houses. They all have difference. They are designed by Marcel Wanders. They are all different sizes, and re-create a very warm and pleasant atmosphere with an international style.
Manjit Devgun: And finally, don’t miss a cruise on the private canal boat complete with chef and libations, kick back and soak in the surrounding countryside.
You will love Amsterdam, the history, the beauty. It’s free and easy spirit, so much more than its famous coffee shops and red light district.
This new generation of architects, designers, some restaurateur is purely a created beau ensuring that this city will remain fascinating for years to come.
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