Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XXIII

2 3 5 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I T here is much more to the capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands than the timeworn clichés of the red light district and the cafés. This collection of 90 islands and 165 concentric canals, and the intricate system of bridges that link the islands together, is a never-ending playground for leisurely exploration. Amsterdam actually has 1281 bridges, triple that of Venice, and the Canal Ring, which racks up around 100 kilometres of waterways, was entered onto the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2010. And even though more than five million international visitors arrive every year, somehow it doesn’t feel cramped or chaotic. The Dutch are open, polite and friendly, but they are not especially known for their hospitality. They even have the saying “Visitors and fish stay fresh for three days,” so it’s a perfect place for a short city break. For more than five centuries art and culture have been the lifeblood of the capital and in the last few years the city has seen its finest museums re-open, including the Van Gogh Museum after its once every 40-years revamp, and the renowned Rijksmuseum. The latter is exhibiting one of Europe’s finest art collections once more, including major works by Rembrandt and Vermeer. The Rijksmuseum is a major draw following a $400 million renovation that has been underway since 2000, so buy the € 15 tickets online to avoid the inevitable snaking queues. If your taste is less historical, the modern art at the Stedelijk is in stark contrast to the elevated works of the old masters. Contemporary art and design is in rude health in Amsterdam and a few days is enough to dip into a tantalisingly wide range of museums, galleries, restaurants and attractions. Cycling is central to the city’s character and with 400 kilometres of cycle paths, consider renting a bike to do some roaming. Likewise, a canal cruise is a great introduction to the city. One of the most important decisions you can make is where to stay in the city. If you arrive late and want to stay somewhere near Schiphol Airport, the CitizenM hotel is fantastic choice. You can walk out of the terminal and into the hip lobby and lounge with a great social atmosphere within a few minutes. There is also another CitizenM hotel a short train ride away nearer the city centre – a six-minute walk from the Amsterdam Zuid train station. With a European Hotel Design Award under their belt and properties in London, New York, Paris, Glasgow and Rotterdam, this tech-savvy hotel only takes bookings online, has self check-in and huge white beds facing wall mounted flat screen TVs with free on- demand movies. Modern essential luxury with absolutely no trouser presses, bellboys, towel swans, or pillow chocolates. The restaurant is open 24/7 and has a great ambience. CitizenM also offers complimentary bicycles – perfect for exploring.