Dutch Books, Art, Food and Museums: a many faceted walk through the center of Amsterdam

Come with me on a walking tour that starts at the academic and literary heart of the city (where you find the book markets and the University of Amsterdam) and continues all the way through to the thriving art district, finishing our tour on the Museumplein, by the Rijksmuseum, where many of the great museums of Amsterdam are gathered in one place.

We will meet in front of the American Book Center, the literary center of the city, (as well as the scene of one of the most famous hippy protests of the 60's). We will walk down the Singel canal past the flower market until we reach the Spiegelstraat, known for its art and antique galleries.

We will make a short stop at a Dutch cafe where I will acquaint you with the different kinds of Dutch cuisine. Many of them are the result of the Dutch golden age of trade and colonization. There, you might decide to try the famous dutch apple tart, get a coffee or a drink, or just visit the WC.

Along the way, I'll explain what made Amsterdam one of the greatest cities of the 17th century, and how its liberal views shaped the city and why the Herengracht, the canal named after the merchants, was more important than the Prinzengracht, the canal named after the prince.

I'll introduce you to Dutch cuisine, Dutch customs and quirks, and how to safely navigate a city where the bike is more powerful than the car.
Join me for a trip through the center of this crescent-shaped city and soak up the atmosphere of this bustling slice of Amsterdam.