Georgios Makkas
Amsterdam: so much to do, so little time! So start at the flamboyant Bartolotti Housewas built in 1617 for Guillielmo Bartolotti, who began life as Willem van den Heuvel and switched to the fancier moniker after he made a bundle in brewing and banking. It was probably designed by architect Hendrick de Keyser; today, it's bikes, not horses, that pull up to this elegant mansion, which houses part of the collection of the Theatermuseum.
Originally built in the 13th century as the city's second Catholic Church, Nieuwe Kerk passed into Protestant hands in 1578. Since 1814, when the king was inagurated here (Dutch monarchs are not crowned), much of its original gradeur has been restored. Don't miss the elaborately carved altar, the great pipe organ, and--of course--the highly detailed stained glass panels.
This mosaic of lakes, meadows, and woodland contains 120 tree varieties. It's the site of skateboarding, Frisbee-flipping, in-line skating, model-boat sailing, pickup soccer, parties, picnics, and arts-and-crafts markets. From June to mid-August you can enjoy one of the many free concerts, theater, and dance performances at the Vondelpark Openluchttheater (Open-Air Theater).
Order your fresh herring sandwich with pickles and onions, just like the locals do, at city favorite Van Dobben. The taste of the North Sea will whet your appetite for all the food that's to come on your visit to Amsterdam.
Visit the Albert Cuyp Market in the morning, and get lost in the frenzy of shoppers as you marvel at the rows of fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, and textiles on display. Along the streets that intersect the market, you'll find many cafes where you can get a quick pick-me-up of strong coffee or tea.
This elegant home was owned by the Van Loon family from 1884 to 1945. A marble staircase with an ornate balustrade leads up through the house, connecting restored period rooms that are filled with richly decorated paneling, stuccowork, fireplaces, furnishings, porcelain, chandeliers, rugs, and more. Don't miss the garden, which features carefully tended hedges and a coach house modeled on a Greek temple.
The Dutch passion for flowers is always on display in Amsterdam, which has its own dedicated flower market, the Bloemenmarkt. Gerda's Bloemen & Planten, one of the most elegant florists in the city, boasts a fantastic selection of exotic flowers and unusual plants artfully arranged.