Author: sandranicolai

Hi there, my name is Sandra and Amsterdam is the city where I was born. In my opinion, this city is amazing! We have so many good restaurants from all around the world, beautiful museums, romantic canals, city parks, a world famous concert hall etc. And the great thing about Amsterdam is that it is a really small city. It actually is a big village compared to other cities in the world.

I have been a host to many people staying at my apartment and they always told me that they loved their stay in Amsterdam so much thanks to all my recommendations. After receiving so much positive feedback I decided I want to share all these cool places with the rest of the world.

When I travel myself (I have been to many places all around the globe) I love to end up at those special places that are not stuffed with tourists, but where I will always remember that wonderful dish that was prepared with so much love, or where the staff just made me feel so welcome that I spent all day or night at that specific place. I hope that my recommendations will contribute to your unique experiences in this beautiful city.

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amsterdam

Pop-up restaurant Staets

restaurant staets amsterdam

Restaurant Staets is the pop-up restaurant located in the monumental building Felix Meritis at the Keizersgracht. The building has a fascinating history (see Felix Meritis). For the location only it is a must to visit this restaurant. Besides the building the food is just very good with a regularly changing menu. You can choose between a 3, 4 or 5 course menu and they’re open for lunch as well as dinner. Address: Keizersgracht 324. At the end of June 2016 they will close their doors at this location, so hurry up if you would like to book a table!

 

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amsterdam

Jewish Historical Museum: Any Winehouse

amy winehouse at jewish historical museum amsterdam

From February 29th to September 4th, you can visit the exhibition ‘Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait‘ at the Jewish Historical Museum. The exhibition does not focus on the tragic image of Amy but rather on her passion for music and fashion. It also shows the typical London jewish environment in which she grew up. You can see pictures of her youth, a video of a school performance and several dresses that she wore during her concerts. More information: http://www.jhm.nl/current/exhibitions/amy-winehouse

 

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amsterdam

Temporary exhibitions at Rijksmuseum

Besides all the Masterpieces (The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn, The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer etc.) that you can see at the Rijksmuseum, there are two very interesting temporary exhibitions at the moment:

Girl in Kimono by Breitner
14 paintings of a Girl in Kimono painted by Breitner are displayed all together for the first time. There have been exhibitions in the past devoted to Japonism, but never have the paintings of a girl in kimono been displayed all together. There are also two kimonos from the same period as the ones worn in the paintings. From February 20th to May 22th 2016. More information: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/breitner

A girl in kimono by Breitner

Catwalk that is designed by Erwin Olaf
This is an exhibition dedicated to fashion of the Dutch from 1625 to 1960. Erwin Olaf, who designed the exhibition is a world-renowned Dutch photographer. One of the highlights of this exhibition is the widest dress in The Netherlands. From February 20th to May 16th 2016. More information: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/catwalk 

widest dress in the netherlands at rijskmuseum

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amsterdam art Design event travel guide

Design Icons Amsterdam

design chair at design icons amsterdam

On February 13th and 14th dealers of interior design objects from all over Europe will come together in Amsterdam-Noord (de Overkant, with a nice industrial atmosphere). During these two days you can buy design objects from the 1930s-1980s from several famous designers. The entrance fee is 10 euros on Saturday and 5 euros on Sunday. More information: http://www.design-icons.com/information

 

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amsterdam

Martin Roemers at Huis Marseille

martin roemers metropolis huis marseille
Buses and taxis stopped by a roadside market in order to pick up passengers.

Today more than half the world’s population lives in a city. Martin Roemers travelled to 22 megacities to photograph live there. Megacities have their own character. Roemers takes his pictures from a high vantage point at one of the busiest locations in that specific city. He focuses on the streams of human energy. You can see this exhibition until March 6th 2016 at Huis Marseille. More information: www.huismarseille.nl/en/exhibition/martin-roemers

 

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amsterdam Culture event food travel

Food Soul Festival

From January 29th till January 31th an indoor food truck festival is held in Amsterdam-Noord. You can enjoy a great variety of food that is prepared in the trucks while listening to soul music. You will also find a wine bar and a bar with traditionally brewed beer. The entrance is free. More information: foodsoulfestival.nl 

Food Soul festival Amsterdam

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amsterdam art museum Tourism travel

Spanish Masters at Hermitage

From November 28th 2015 to May 29th 2016, Hermitage Museum is home to the art exhibition ‘Spanish Masters from the Hermitage‘. In this exhibition you will find more than 60 masterpieces from painters like El Greco, Velázquez, Murillo, Zurbarán and Picasso, that together tell the story of the rise and glory of Spanish art in the Golden Age. More information: www.hermitage.nl

Spanish Masters exhibition in Hermitage Amsterdam

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amsterdam event Tourism travel

Amsterdam Light Festival

Amsterdam Light festival in Amsterdam Canals

Every year in winter time, Amsterdam is transformed into a capital of lights, thanks to many international artists. They are able to show their latest work in the streets and canals. The theme of this year is ‘Friendship’. You can see all the works by taking a boat or walking through the city. For more information: https://www.amsterdamlightfestival.com/en/ 

Amsterdam Light Festival art on canals

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amsterdam art Culture event travel

IDFA time!

On November 18th, the IDFA festival starts in Amsterdam. For me, one of my favourite events in Amsterdam. Our city transforms itself to the international documentary capital of the world. More than 2.500 international documentary professionals gather in Amsterdam during eleven days of films, industry events, panel discussions and much more. – See more at: https://www.idfa.nl/industry/festival.aspx

IDFA festival in Amsterdam documentaries

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amsterdam art Culture event museum Tourism

Museumnacht / Museum Night

Museum

Each year in November, all museums in Amsterdam open at one night. This year Museum Night is held on November 7th. All museums become a festivity with art, drinking, dancing eating and they close at 2 am (of course you can go to after parties if you like). The Museum Night attracts about 26.000 visitors every year. Tickets cost E18,50 and it gives you entrance to basically all (more than 50) museums. For more information: http://museumnacht.amsterdam/info