i’m thrilled that you all feel the same way about amsterdam. i assure you there is much much more to this city than coffee shops and red lighted windows. here is a detailed description of last sunday’s wander. From now on when I take photos of my walks I will give you a detailed description like this one so you can make a note for the next time you visit…
So, the photos below were taken on my favourite walk: I start at utrechtstraat which is a strip of fabulous restaurants, cafes, homeware stores, music stores and delis. I then wander up towards rembrandts plein (‘plein’ means ‘square’). Then I continue up over the bridge of the amstel until I reach the beautiful staalstraat (‘straat’ means ‘street’) bridge, seen in one of the photos below. Once here I turn right onto staalstraat which is full of gorgeous design shops including droog which is one of amsterdam’s destination design stores. Even though this is such a little street you could spend hours wandering between the stores. At the end of this street is one of my all time favourite amsterdam cafes: Puccini’s. The menu is fresh and delicious and no matter what time of day you wander this way, you must indulge in a puccini hot chocolate. I will not say anything more about this hot chocolate except that you must. Puccini’s also has a chocolate boutique just a few doors up so you can take home some gifts (for yourself).
So, after my chocolate comotose I turn left along the canal and this is where you will find all those quaint and quirky painted doors I featured in Part One. It’s along here that I change my path to discover new streets, so you just keep meandering and see what you discover along the canal, but keep to your left as you walk on ahead and you will make your way to Nieuwmarkt which is another big square and marks the end of this walk but the beginning of another favourite Pia walk (which I will share with you next time). But don’t leave just yet as right in front of you is In De Waag, an incredible medieval looking building turned restaurant which was once the Amsterdam ‘gatehouse’. Inside are beautiful beamed high ceilings, the whole restaurant lighted with candles. It is magical. Here I indulge (again! always with the indulging) in a glass of champagne and a little plate of Dutch bitterballen – I think these are some of the best in town. They also serve delicious cheese croquettes. You must arrive before 5pm though as the bar section closes to make room for dinner guests. I suggest you aim to arrive here at around 2-3pm as they change the candles in the huge chandeliers and that is quite a sight. You can also sit outside In De Waag when it is a sunny day. Bliss.
I hope these little ‘wander guides’ come in handy for some of you, do let me know! I have heaps up my sleeve I could share including wanders in Paris, Vancouver, and Sydney, as well as Amsterdam (oh and a little town in North Italy that I would love to share with you soon) if you like the idea of this let me know and I will add more.
Next Up: a funny little thing…
I LOVE the idea of describing your wandering trips, please do add more
April 11th, 2008 | #
thanks so much for sharing this! definitely will check this route,when we’re in amsterdam!
April 11th, 2008 | #
ooh oui oui! i love your walks!
April 11th, 2008 | #
Hi Pia
I really love this blog, it gives me a daily dose of design and Amsterdam inspiration (2 of my favorite things), so thank you.
I live in Sydney, am going to Amsterdam later in the year and my even be passing through Northern Italy so I would love more details of your various wanderings. I’ve been to Amsterdam many times before, I fall more in love with it each time. I already know some of the streets you mention, but I’m going to follow your plan next time, as I particularly like the hot chocolate, champagne and bitterballen pit stops. I can’t wait!
April 11th, 2008 | #
Thank you, THANK YOU for these walks in Amsterdam. As I told you, my sister will be relocating there in a couple of months for work, so I am emailing her links to your posts…
April 11th, 2008 | #
I love to hear more about wanders in Sydney and Paris! And about that little town in North Italy!
April 11th, 2008 | #
How nice! Loving your walks! I love Amsterdam, and it turns out I already knew Puccini and their chocolate shop (peppered chocolate, hummm..), only I didn’t know the name or that they were from the same owners. I have nice memories from having lunch there. It’s great to know the name of the street and places, it’s making things clearer in my head in terms of getting to know that lovely city. I never knew ‘In De Waag’ could be so interestig inside, will definitely check it out next time! Great advice, will be following it on my next visit, so please keep it coming. Also Paris… and well, anywhere, really! Thanks Pia!
April 11th, 2008 | #
Pia, thank you!! I was trying to get up my nerve to ask if you could give me some restaurant/cafe/shopping tips, but you have already obliged me! I am especially delighted that you mentioned where to get the best chocolate and a glass of champagne…my two most favorite indulgences. I will be printing out these posts and they will be traveling with us to Amsterdam. Keep these walking tours coming…they are making my day. It will be fun to see what you post about other cities too when you get to it.
April 11th, 2008 | #
fabulous, a new part of the blog is now born! i will include little wanders as often as i can. xx
April 11th, 2008 | #
Hi Pia! I’m newer to your blog + I can’t thank you enough for what you add to my day!! I’m a few weeks behind in reading as a vacation + other diversions have kept me away, but what a treat to come back to! I am always looking for the off the beaten path kinds of experiences while traveling + this couldn’t be more perfect! Saving for Amsterdam next + can’t wait to put to use. Cheers to all those little indulgences!
May 4th, 2008 | #