Prestige Citi presents LUXE City Guides The cult pocket city guides and mobile apps for the busy, sophisticated traveler www.luxecityguides.com

Flat, compact, and easily walkable, the stunningly beautiful city of Amsterdam amazes with its metropolis head and village heart.

At once formal yet liberal, the city beckons with its vibrant but laidback , dazzling Canal Ring, and arty, gentrified . It’s easy to get lost along the labyrinthine canals, the cycleways with their steady stream of bikes and pedestrians, and the artisanal boutiques and markets, but find yourself beyond the city centre and you will be rewarded with lush parks and true Dutch hospitality. So saddle up and pedal hard!

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BLAH BLAH

Weather-wise, May-Sep is the Buy a 1-4 day pass for unlimited A café is for coffee, a coffeeshop best time to visit, the glorious tram, bus and metro rides. Check is for marijuana outdoors is in full swing, though in and check out EVERY time so are the hordes you board/exit

International code for Netherlands is +31; Amsterdam Winter can be chilly, grey and Most shops close Sun and Mon landlines begin with 020, most drizzly, but crowd-free am, but open late Thu mobiles begin with 06

AMS Airport to city 20 mins / Thu/Fri best nights out, Sat can In emergencies, call 112 €45 by cab. Train 20 mins / €4 be vile, quiet other days

Just about everyone speaks Service levels can be woeful and English well, and often tipping is not required. Though 5-10%, left as cash, is nice when it’s good

Best place to get a taxi is at stands but can be a lottery. Beware of scams, especially Most restaurants offer value set around Centraal Station menus on top of à la carte

Trams are easy, regular and cover Several establishments don’t most of the city. Buy tickets on- accept credit cards, and some board or at ticket machines; don’t even except cash, though trip planner at gvb.nl most take PIN/ATM cards

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LUXE INSIDER

ESTHER COPPOOLSE

Esther Coppoolse is fashion director at ELLE Netherlands. Over the past decade she has brought style to the casual view of the Dutch, and also introduced the ELLE Style Awards as a stylist platform to Holland. Esther was also the brain behind pop-up concept store ‘little black boutique’ and the founder of ‘CLUB 14 A’, a small but charming creative community/label in Amsterdam.

www.elle.nl

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LUXE INSIDER

ESTHER COPPOOLSE

1) What’s the one thing every visitor to Amsterdam must do and why?

Hire a bike or a boat. It is great to see the city from the canals, or to bike along like the locals. Amsterdam feels like a village.

2) Where can you be found on a Saturday or Sunday morning?

In the (Westergas fabriek). This is the best park in Amsterdam – full of nature, but also cultural events. Great coffee places like Bakker Baard and De Bakkerswinkel, and very nice restaurants like Proef and Rainarai, plus there is a lot of space to have a picnic and for children and dogs to run around. bakkerbaard.com • www.debakkerswinkel.nl www.proefamsterdam.nl • www.rainarai.nl

3) What are 3 of your favorite restaurants in Amsterdam and why? What dishes do you order at these places?

Wilde Zwijnen is a relaxed restaurant in the east of Amsterdam. They serve great tasting dishes from local farmers (I love their steaks) in a raw and industrial but cosy atmosphere. wildezwijnen.com

4) Pont 13

is a restaurant situated in an old ferry. The view over the water and old harbor is beautiful and romantic. If the weather is good you have to book a table outside. Their fish dishes are simple and good. www.pont13.nl

5) Le Restaurant

is very charming and so perfect that it’s difficult what to say. Please book a table as soon as you can and be surprised by the talented French style kitchen and elegant but cool atmosphere. www.lerestaurant.nl

6) What is your favorite neighborhood to visit for a day of shopping?

You should start at Haarlemmerstraat, a great street for all different boutiques and independent shops. Then you go to Noordermarkt, where there’s a market brocantes and biological food every Monday morning and Saturday. Then you walk over one of the canals to De Negen Straatjes, which is a very dynamic shopping area with a creative mix of people and places.

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LUXE INSIDER

ESTHER COPPOOLSE

7) What are your three favorite shops in Amsterdam? What do you love about them?

Lock, Stock and Barrel is a multi brand boutique, mid segment labels, with a Scandinavian/ French authentic style. SPRMRKT for fashion, interior, books, music and art. This exciting concept store is a raw essential place in the Amsterdam scene. Azzuro Due is a deliciously decorated shop for fashion lovers and great for high-end labels. www.lockstockbarrel.nl • www.sprmrkt.nl www.azzurrofashiongroup.nl

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LUXE LOVES

Dining

RON BLAAUW

Relocating closer to the heart of Amsterdam and winning his second Michelin star has placed Ron Blaauw at the very forefront of neo-Dutch cuisine. His molecular gastronomic delights are stylistically presented in a procession of bite-sized palate-pleasers.

Sophialaan 55 / Old South / +31 20 496 1943 ronblaauw.nl

Dining

DE KAS

Locavore lovers flock to this stunning nursery and glasshouse restaurant situated in the middle of Frankendael Park, which serves solely organic, locally sourced and homegrown fare. Leave the growing to the green-thumbed owner, and exchange that garden rake for a knife and fork.

Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3 / East / +31 20 462 4562 restaurantdekas.nl

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LUXE LOVES

Dining Dining

NEL DE BAKKERSWINKEL

While the simple comfort food menu Breads, cakes, flans, and tarts as far and service can be a tad hit or miss, as the eye can see. De Bakkerswinkel it’s all about Nel’s happening terrace is an unmissable treat of freshly baked overlooking the canal. goods and homemade preserves. Eat in Check ahead for the varied live jazz, or take out, but whatever you do, don’t music or dance performances that miss the delectable homemade keep this pretty C.17th wooden jam and scones. ex-church busy and buzzy. Zeedijk 37 / Centre / + branches / +31 20 489 8000 Amstelveld 12 / Canal Ring / www.debakkerswinkel.nl +31 20 626 1199 nelamstelveld.nl

Dining Bar

LION NOIR DOOR 74

Movers and shakers flock to this kooky, The mysterious location that’s only low-lit, curio-filled hotspot featuring divulged upon reservation definitely a delicious menu of French favorites. ups the ante of this exclusive lounge Can’t get a reservation? No matter. for those in the know, but don’t worry, Console yourself at the bar, where your concierge will get you in if you the cocktails are classic and the small didn’t book ahead. The creative, plates range includes oysters seasonal cocktails are arguably and goose rillettes. the best in town.

Reguliersdwarsstraat 28 / Centre / Canal Ring / +31 20 627 6603 +31 6 3404 5122 lionnoir.nl door-74.nl

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LUXE LOVES

Shopping Shopping

FROZEN FOUNTAIN THE OTHERIST

Contemporary furniture and A wonderfully eclectic shop of curios, décor jackpot with top designers botanics, mounted insects, ceramics from Netherlands’ art academies and artisanal knits, soaps, stationary, and beyond, featuring bespoke yarn and more. If you’ve ever yearned commissioned pieces and permanent for a ‘vegan’ cardboard human skull, collections from internationally or a porcelain skunk cranium with 16k renowned talents like Piet Hein Eek gold teeth, now is your chance to get and Tom Dixon. your hands on it.

Prinsengracht 645 / Canal Ring / 6 / Jordaan / +31 20 622 9375 +31 20 320 0420 frozenfountain.nl otherist.com

Shopping Activities

VAN RAVENSTEIN HERMITAGE AMSTERDAM

The last word in ‘it’ Low Lands fashion It was a charitable home for elderly designers, from Holland’s own Michael women for 324 years, but the van der Ham to Belgium’s Walter Van beautiful C.17th Amstelhof now houses Beirendonck, as well as international permanent and temporary exhibits favorites like Bernhard Willhelme. from the incredible vaults of the St. Browse through the handy eCatalogue Petersburg mothership. then pop in and model the designer 51 / Centre / garments yourself. +31 20 530 7488 www.hermitage.nl 359 / 9 Streets / +31 20 639 0067 www.van-ravenstein.nl

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LUXE LOVES

Activities Accommodation

NOORDERMARKT THE DYLAN

Gourmands make a beeline for A range of contemporary room Noordermarkt every Monday for designs, perfect canal position, its organic farm fresh produce and sophisticated lounge, comely welcoming vendors, and then again for courtyard, Michelin-starred neo-Dutch the Saturday flea market that abounds Vinkeles, and can-do concierge to in handicrafts, vintage wares, and orchestrate private airplane tours or artisanal draws. culinary canal cruises make this a standout choice. Westerstraat / Jordaan / 9am-2pm Mon & 9am-4pm Sat Keizersgracht 384 / Canal Ring / +31 20 530 2010 www.dylanamsterdam.com

Accommodation

SEVEN ONE SEVEN

On one of the city’s prettiest canals lies this landmark C.19th house. Its nine luxurious suites are havens of comfort and convenience, with gorgeously opulent furnishings and attentive and friendly staff. Request one of two large executives suites at the front to enjoy stunning views of the canal.

Prinsengracht 717 / Canal Ring / +31 20 427 0717 www.717hotel.nl

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LUXE LOATHES

TETCHY CYCLISTS

Cyclists rage along the pathways with daredevil temperaments. Jump out of the way before you’re driven into the canals

RIP-OFF TAXI DRIVERS

Fancy a delay, or a coerced scenic tour? Then hail these non-gezellig cabbies at your peril. If in doubt, choose a cab from a designated taxi rank

MEDIOCRE WINE LISTS/WINES BY

THE GLASS

Picky about your drink? Unluckily Amsterdam has a rather limited selection of wines, however jenever, the local spirit, is definitely worth a shot

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DRAB VS. FAB

CANAL TOURING MUSEUMS QUEUES RENT A BIKE

No visit to Amsterdam would be Instead of queuing and then paying Being a pedestrian in Amsterdam complete without a sail down the city’s exorbitant entrance fees for the means you’re at the mercy of cyclists, famous waterways, but rather than city’s myriad museums, skip the so if you can’t beat them, join them by floating with the masses on the Canal line and fare at 32 of the best by hiring your own swish bike or tandem Hopper’s hop-on, hop-off service, why purchasing a Museum Pass or I from MacBike. not charter your own private tour amsterdam City Card, the latter of of the Venice of the North aboard a which also includes unlimited travel on www.macbike.nl 100-year-old wooden saloon boat with public transportation. Classic Boat Tours. www.museumkaart.nl classicboattours.nl iamsterdamcard.com

GUIDED TOURS COOKING CLASSES

There’s no in sense taking a walk While hearty Dutch classics brown through the picturesque Old Town bean soup and stamppot (hashed without fully appreciating its history vegetables) make for a tasty lunch, and architecture, so get the most out discovering Dutch vegetarian of your visit by booking one of the molecular gastronomy with a De various area-themed walking tours Culinaire Werkplaats cooking lesson from I amsterdam, each of which makes for one memorable experience. comes with a full-color brochure with removable city map. www.deculinairewerkplaats.nl

www.iamsterdam.com

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LUXE ITINERARY

ROMANTIC

The water lapping along the canals of old saloon boat. Once back on dry land, Amsterdam isn’t the only reason the enjoy some gallery time at the amazing Dutch capital is called the Venice of the C. 17th Hermitage Amsterdam (see LUXE North – from fragrant blooms to starlit Loves), but plan ahead as it closes at 5pm meals, this city is awash in romance. most days. When the clock strikes and Start the day with a leisurely walk in the guards glare, grab yourself a taxi at the foliage-fabulous garden of Hortus a designated stand and head to your pre- Botanicus and delectable breakfast booked dinner table at Ron Blaauw (see pastries at the terrace café. Next stop the LUXE Loves) for 2 Michelin-starred, avant- Westerkerk, this pretty C.17th church with garde taste sensations. The outdoor its 85m landmark tower, the Westertoren, terrace here is the perfect place for a affords breathtaking vistas of Amsterdam, starlit or moon-drenched supper. Round but you’ll need plenty of puff to make off your night at Suzy Wong, a gorgeous the ascent to the top! Come back down and sultry mix of Chinoiserie, excellent for a soup and salad lunch at canal-side cocktails and beautiful people, or stop Nel (see LUXE Loves), followed by a spot for a fireside nightcap atThe Dylan (see of shopping in the antique, fashion, book LUXE Loves), before retiring to your and accessory-filledNine Streets area of suite upstairs. the Old Town. Look out for lovely lingerie at Marlies Dekkers in Berenstraat, and glamorous retro and vintage furnishings at Roerende Zaken in Oude Spiegelstraat. What better way to rest those weary feet than with a chartered private canal tour via Classic Boat Tours (see Drab vs Fab), which will have you floating blissfully along the waterways aboard a 100-year-

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LUXE ITINERARY

STYLE

Neighboring style-centric Belgium may Puccini Bomboni. Next, make a beeline to have one fashion-forward foot slightly the fabulous Tassenmuseum, also known ahead of Amsterdam, but the Dutch have as the Museum of Bags and Purses. many reasons to catwalk along the canals With a staggering collection of 4000 too. Get runway-ready by beginning your bags, purses, trunks, pouches, cases and day with a glorious pamper session at accessories on show, you’ll suddenly feel the beautiful 1920’s Sauna Deco, where like your own stash is seriously lacking! you’ll be massaged, moisturised, and Fret not, palate-pleasing consolation is freed of toxins courtesy of their fab at hand with a pre-booked negroni and Turkish steambath. Feeling refreshed? dinner stop at eclectic Lion Noir (see Then where better to see and be seen LUXE Loves). Head straight to the terrace than Café George, where Amsterdam’s for stargazing of both the celestial and socialites gather to enjoy scrumptious celebrity kind, then stop for a nightcap at brasserie classics in an American-style Door 74 (see LUXE Loves), home to the setting. Following lunch, carry on to best and most creative seasonal cocktail shopping central Jordaan for a slew of en list in the city. Finally, amble towards vogue Dutch styles at Kabinet, including Canal House and enjoy a wonderfully labels like youasme/measyou, Isabel deep beauty sleep in your luxurious suite. Marant, and a myriad of home-grown and Zoete dromen! international brands. Don’t miss WRKSHP 13 for beautiful jewellery, clutches, bags and clothing by Johnny Ramli, plus alpaca and merino wool ponchos from Marie Y. Levi. Channel your inner interior designer and pick up glam lifestyle objects for the home at nearby Antennae Interiors, then if you’re feeling shopped out, recharge with a sinfully sweet handmade bonbon at

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LUXE ITINERARY

CULTURE

Amsterdam is a treasure trove of modern Picasso to Warhol. Shutterbugs will wish and masterful art, from contemporary to continue to Huis Marseille for snaps Falke Pisano to legendary Van Gogh. by Amsterdam’s hotshot photographers, Have your Museum Pass (see Drab vs before pushing on to Parisian-chic Fab) at the ready, but first, fuel up with patisserie Pompadour in Nine Streets for some scrumptious appelgebak (apple a delicious and equally artistic treat. Now pie) at Villa Zeezicht, and don’t skimp backtrack to the Museum Quarter and the on the cinnamon scoop. Now that you’re Van Gogh Museum to spy ‘Sunflowers’ energized and ready for the big one, and other works from the maestro, or if head over to Rijksmuseum to browse the you’re feeling peckish, you’re a stone’s works of Dutch perennials Rembrandt and throw from Chang-i, with the best Vermeer. Gaze upon the ‘Night Watch’ and Chinese fusion outside of Chinatown. see all the famous names in one handy If serendipity strikes, catch a concert wing, as renovations are underway until by the famous Royal Concertgebouw 2013. Recover from the art analysis with Orchestra at Concergebouw, and be a light bite at Brasserie Van Baerle, aurally astounded by the acoustics of one and if the mood strikes and weather of the finest concert halls in the world. permits, enjoy a glass of wine from one Finally, head home to The College Hotel of the few decent lists in the city in the for nightcaps at the cosy open fire of the lovely garden. Post-lunch, browse the Bar Lounge, before slipping off to sleep shops and galleries of the antiquarian’s in your suite. favorite Spiegel Quarter. Antiquariaat Hoogkamp is heaven for cartography enthusiasts, so equip yourself with a map of C.16th Amsterdam and make your way to Delaive for collections of both up-and- coming and established contemporary artists ranging from Sam Francis to

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THE ESSENTIALS

ROMANTIC

Hortus Botanicus / Classic Boat Tours (see Drab vs Fab) Middenlaan 2A / East / T: 9, 14 www.roerende-zaken.nl Plantage Kerklaan / +31 20 625 9021 / 9am-5pm daily, from 10am Sat-Sun / Hermitage Amsterdam www.dehortus.nl (see LUXE Loves) Westerkerk / Prinsengracht 281 / Jordaan / T: 13, 14, 17 Westermarkt / Ron Blaauw (see LUXE Loves) +31 20 689 2565 / 11am-3pm Mon-Sat / www.westerkerk.nl Suzy Wong / Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 45 / Canal Ring / T: 1, 2, 5, 7, 10 Nel (see LUXE Loves) / 6pm-1am Wed-Thu, 6pm- 3am Fri-Sun / +31 20 626 6769

Roerende Zaken / 5 Oude Spiegelstraat www.tao-group.nl / Nine Streets / +31 6 5513 3522 / www.roerende-zaken.nl The Dylan (see LUXE Loves)

STYLE

Sauna Deco / 117 / Canal Canal Ring / T: 9, 14 / Ring / T: 1, 2, 5, 13, 17 Nieuwezijdse Kolk +31 20 626 5474 / till 6pm daily / +31 20 623 8215 / daily www.puccinibomboni.com www.saunadeco.nl Tassenmuseum / Herengracht 573 / George W.A.P. / Willemsparkweg 74 / Canal Ring / T: 9, 14 / South / T: 2 Jacob Obrechtstaat / +31 20 524 6452 / 10am-5pm daily +31 20 470 2530 www.tassenmuseum.nl www.cafegeorge.nl or Chez George: Herenstraat 3 / Lion Noir (see LUXE Loves) +31 20 626 3332 / dinner Thu-Sat / book Door 74 (see LUXE Loves) Kabinet / Herenstraat 13 / +31 20 422 2479 Canal House / Keizersgracht 148 / www.kabinet-amsterdam.nl Canal Ring / +31 20 622 5182 www.canalhouse.nl WRKSHP 13 / Prinsenstraat 13 / +31 20 423 6675 www.johnnyramli.com

Antennae Interiors / Herenstraat 12 / +31 20 626 9222 Puccini Bomboni / Staalstraat 17

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THE ESSENTIALS

CULTURE

Museum Pass (see LUXE Loves) Pompadour / Huidenstraat 12 / Villa Zeezicht / Torensteeg 7 / Canal 9 Streets / T: 1, 2, 5 / Ring / T: 1, 2, 5, 13, 14, 17 Dam / +31 20 623 9554/ daily +31 20 626 7433 / 9am-9.30pm daily www.patisseriepompadour.com Nel (see LUXE Loves) Van Gogh Museum / Paulus Potterstraat 7 / Museum Quarter / T: Rijksmuseum / Jan Luijkenstraat 2, 3, 5, 12 Van Baerlestraat / +31 20 570 1 / Museum Quarter / T: 2, 5 5200 / 10am-6pm daily, till 10pm Fri Hobbemastraat / +31 20 674 7000 / 9am-6pm daily www.vangoghmuseum.nl www.rijksmuseum.nl Chang-i / Jan Willem Brouwersstraat 7 / Museum Quarter / T: 3, 5, 12, 16, 24, Brasserie Van Baerle / Van 25 / +31 20 470 1700 / Baerlestraat 158 / Museum Quarter / dinner daily T: 3, 5, 12, 24 Roelof Hartplein / www.chang-i.nl +31 20 679 1532 / lunch Tues-Fri, Sun, dinner daily Concergebouw / Concertgebouwplein www.brasserievanbaerle.nl 10 / Museum Quarter / T: 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 24 Museumplein / +31 20 573 Antiquariaat Hoogkamp / 0573 / Spiegelgracht 27 / +31 20 625 8852 / www.concertgebouw.nl http://www.prenten.net Delaive Spiegelgracht 23 / The College Hotel / Roelof Hartstraat 1 +31 20 625 9087 / Old South / +31 20 571 1511 delaive.com www.thecollegehotel.com

Huis Marseille / Keizersgracht 401 / Bar Lounge / The College Hotel / Canal Ring / T: 1, 2, 5 Keizersgracht / Roelof Hartstraat 1 / Old South / +31 20 531 8989 / 11am-6pm Tues-Sun +31 20 571 1511 www.huismarseille.nl www.thecollegehotel.com

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YOUR LUXE NOTES

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