08-01-2007, 09:20 PM
I'll reply by PM.
More in general (also for other people). IAmsterdam is some sort of general guide. From the museums, I can recommend the Allard Piersonmuseum (not much Roman, but much Greek and Egyptian art). Forget the Rijksmuseum (partly closed, although some highlights are still visible); the Van Gogh Museum is splendid but usually very crowded; the Royal Palace is not half as beautiful as they say.
Best thing to do: just scroll along the canals. Enjoy the Nine Streets. Buy chocolate at Puccini's, without exaggerating the finest chocolate in the world. Look at the stone tablets. Be not afraid to visit the Red Light District - it contains, seriously, some beautiful old houses, the lovely Old Church and a little church known as Our Lord in the Attic (yes, that is its name).
If you want to attend mass, go to the 11.00 service in the Krijtberg Church (Singel 448) - you don't need to be Catholic (or Christian) to appreciate the Gregorian chant by a near-professional capella. The cantor is a personal friend of mine and will gladly explain it all.
And to strengthen Amsterdam's image as the Sodom of the Twenty-First Century, this weekend is the Gay Pride Festival, with its notorious Canal Parade. It's always amusing to watch, although hearing "YMCA" for the zillionth time is eventually rather boring.
Finally, some personal pages.
More in general (also for other people). IAmsterdam is some sort of general guide. From the museums, I can recommend the Allard Piersonmuseum (not much Roman, but much Greek and Egyptian art). Forget the Rijksmuseum (partly closed, although some highlights are still visible); the Van Gogh Museum is splendid but usually very crowded; the Royal Palace is not half as beautiful as they say.
Best thing to do: just scroll along the canals. Enjoy the Nine Streets. Buy chocolate at Puccini's, without exaggerating the finest chocolate in the world. Look at the stone tablets. Be not afraid to visit the Red Light District - it contains, seriously, some beautiful old houses, the lovely Old Church and a little church known as Our Lord in the Attic (yes, that is its name).
If you want to attend mass, go to the 11.00 service in the Krijtberg Church (Singel 448) - you don't need to be Catholic (or Christian) to appreciate the Gregorian chant by a near-professional capella. The cantor is a personal friend of mine and will gladly explain it all.
And to strengthen Amsterdam's image as the Sodom of the Twenty-First Century, this weekend is the Gay Pride Festival, with its notorious Canal Parade. It's always amusing to watch, although hearing "YMCA" for the zillionth time is eventually rather boring.
Finally, some personal pages.
