In association with


AMSTERDAM


Asked to rebrand his city, photo curator Erik Kessels came up with the hugely successful ‘I Amsterdam’ marketing campaign. Here he reveals its lesser-known hot spots


Why Amsterdam?


When I started thinking about how I could attract new visitors to Amsterdam I quickly realised it didn’t have a single big landmark. But one impressive thing is that it’s home to 178 different nationalities. The identity of the city is made by the people who live in it so I wanted to make them the landmark. The diversity of the city is one of the things that makes Amsterdam such a tolerant place, and why many people like to return again and again.


Lazy breakfast


The new place only the locals know


It’s called NDSM and it’s in Amsterdam North. NDSM was the name of the shipping company which was formerly based there. Now it’s home to a lot of restaurants, bars and galleries but it’s an area that most people still haven’t discovered yet. If you’re there you should check out the Crane Hotel Faralda - a hotel room in a dockside crane.


Coffee cathedral


Koffiehuis De Hoek is a classic coffee house, but they don’t make cappuccino or espresso, they just make very good coffee in the classic way - in the pot.


My Amsterdam


as Westerpark and Vondelpark is nice, just 20 minutes out of the city there is a neighbouring town called Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. A gentle cycle ride there, or a nice walk along the Amstel River takes you through some wonderful natural landscapes. Pick up the route along the Ij canal behind Centraal Station. You’ll go past the Magere Brug, the famous white pull up bridge. Then you pass the Amstel Hotel and after that you’ll start to see a lot of very beautiful mansions and all kinds of different houses - this was where all the rich factory and shipping owners once lived.


Street eats


Don’t forget to eat a Dutch herring on the street when you see one of the many stalls that sell them. You have to wrap the herring around onions and pickles, hold it by the tail in one hand, let it slide from the top into your mouth and take a bite. You repeat this about three times and then it’s gone. The best street to buy them is on Utrechtsestraat.


Café De Kroon: Elegant eating


Eating and drinking in Amsterdam is very laid back so choose somewhere you want to be for some time. In some cities you might feel rushed by the waiters but in Amsterdam it’s the opposite - perfect for the repeat visitor who’s seen all the sights. Check out the Grand Hotel Krasnopolsky and also Café Restaurant De Kroon.


6 COMPANION Cycle out to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel


In Amsterdam you can get a lot of things done because you don’t waste much time travelling. You can cross the city very quickly on a bike and within 15 minutes can be almost out of it. Although going on a cycling tour through city parks such


Market insight


There is a huge flea market in Amsterdam North with over 300 stalls. It’s much more sophisticated than the term flea market would suggest, with some great, affordable finds. I go to buy photographs and vintage porcelain. You take a boat from behind Centraal Station, crossing the Ij Canal. It’s held on the first weekend of the month in the IJ-Hallen. Nearer to town there is


SPRING 2017


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20