100% customisable travel idea
Art in the background, canals in Waterland Amsterdam for art enthusiasts, in two parts
The Netherlands - Amsterdam (city centre) - Amsterdam (The IJ lake)
The cult of beauty
Your two places to stay
This trip combines two sides of Amsterdam: the canals of the city centre and the neighbouring Waterland. One is urban, the other more rural. Originating from different eras and having different styles, these two places showcase the full range of Amsterdam's expertise. What do they have in common? They are both in an idyllic setting by the water. And they are both stunning, needless to say. In the city centre, your hotel has a story behind it, as well as a polished façade. Built in the late 19th century, it was occupied by the Germans during the Second World War before being bought by the Heineken family in the 1950s. Since then, it has been used to showcase the Heineken family’s impressive art collection. Their love of beautiful things is combined with their keen business sense. Just a few years after buying the hotel, they unveiled suites inspired by the paintings of Dutch artists, followed by others designed by big names in the contemporary art scene. As for the restaurants, there are three in total, and one has even been recognised in the Michelin Guide. Hats off to the artist! Your second hotel takes you out of the urban environment and encourages you to slow down. Located on the shore of Lake IJ, it has no more than fifteen rooms. You feel as if you have stepped into a painting: the grass dances around the pontoon, the materials reflect the light, and the moiré effects seem unreal. The restaurant easily rivals those in the capital. It is renowned for its expertise and imagination and uses impeccable ingredients to paint a gustatory picture of Holland that you never tire of enjoying.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Arrival at Amsterdam Centraal Station and check in for two nights in the historic city centre, a stone’s throw away from the museums. Set on the north bank of the Amstel, your hotel is a historic building that now stands as a guardian of local culture. Built in 1896 in a neo-Renaissance style, it has been owned by the Heineken family since the 1950s. Art is right at home here. Of the hundred or so suites, around 20 are dedicated to Dutch master painters, with flawless reproductions of paintings from the nearby Rijksmuseum on display. For the past few years, an even more innovative concept has been stirring a new wing: suites imagined by leading figures from the Dutch art world. Photographer, stylist, designer, communications agency: you name it. This offers you the chance to engage with the contemporary art scene at any time, and in style. Art is also found on the plate, with no fewer than three restaurants on site. A trattoria, a brasserie with a terrace by the water, and above all, a Michelin-starred restaurant. In the kitchen, the youngest Michelin-starred chef in the Netherlands does not use meat or dairy products from livestock, as part of a “conscious gastronomy” approach. The spa is also organic; it goes hand in hand with a swimming pool. And the bar lives up to all of this as one of the city’s finest bars.
Optional - Arrive at the hotel by boat; treat yourself to a canal-view room; explore the city with a local guide.
On your itinerary - the Van Gogh Museum. One hesitates to place the “Dutch Golden Age” in the 17th century, knowing that Van Gogh was born 200 years later. A self-taught, prolific and tormented artist, the Dutch painter is considered one of the greatest, not just of his generation but of all time. His expressive style, marked by thickly applied paint and intense colours, surprised as much as it captivated and influenced. Inaugurated a century after his suicide, this museum houses the largest collection of his works in the world - more than 700 paintings and drawings, along with the extensive correspondence he maintained, notably with his brother Theo. What you can admire on site: a few Still lifes, several Views over the rooftops of Paris, and numerous Wheat fields: with larks, with irises, under a cloudy sky, with crows. And his unforgettable Sunflowers. These sought-after tickets give you access to a free visit of the site. You can also, optionally, choose to be accompanied by a private guide.
Also included: a painting workshop with an artist. A visit to the Van Gogh Museum, which always makes a strong impression. The urge to pick up a paintbrush and bring your imagination to life on canvas is irresistible. With Voyageurs, this becomes possible: a local artist welcomes you into their studio and provides you with painting materials. By following their tips, as disciples once did with their masters, your work gradually takes shape. Self-portrait, landscape, interior scene or still life: you get to choose.
Your appointment for the day - The Stedelijk Museum (you already have your tickets in hand). Unsurprisingly, it is located on Museumplein, Amsterdam’s museums square. The largest modern art gallery in the Netherlands stands alongside the Van Gogh Museum visited the previous day. The painter’s works can also be found in galleries, though to a lesser extent. He is joined by leading figures in contemporary art: Bill Viola and Anne Imhof, as well as Kazimir Malevich, Piet Mondrian, Jackson Pollock, CoBrA, Pop Art - and many others. That’s it for the interior. On the outside, while the original building designed by Adriaan Willem Weissman follows the tradition of Dutch Renaissance architecture, the Benthem Crouwel extension marks a clear break from this kind of historicism.
Also possible, as an option - the STRAAT Museum, dedicated to street art and graffiti.
You have a private 15-minute transfer and then you check in for two nights at a picturesque hotel on the shores of Lake IJ, at the gateway to the capital. It feels as if you are in a painting from the Dutch Golden Age. In fact, the house dates from the 17th century. All around, the village and the lakeside landscape are charming and tranquil. On the outside, the facing is light-coloured. Inside, the hues are more intense: browns, ochre, sienna earth, bronze green and olive. The dark, polished wood of the furniture and beams adds to the atmosphere. And of course, the bicycle is the preferred vehicle to explore the surrounds.
On your itinerary - Waterland by electric bicycle. Spread out to the northeast of Amsterdam, the “Land of Water” was for a long time a more or less independent lordship, sheltered behind its dyke, the Waterlandse Zeedijk. Today, it is home to charming villages where you will enjoy taking a stroll, all accessible within an hour by bike. Set on an island, Marken has flourished away from the concerns of the mainland. Now connected to it by an artificial isthmus, it features charming green houses whose facades reflect in the canals. Fishing family’s houses and old fish smokehouses reveal what was once the vilalge’s main activity. And at the eastern tip of the island, the Paard van Marken offers an enjoyable destination for a walk. On the other side of the Gouzwee, Edam gained lasting fame for its yellow cheese. You can find this on almost every stall in the main square on Wednesday mornings. We don’t forget to explore the city, split between canals and drawbridges.
Already booked - your table at the hotel restaurant. This is one of the capital’s most prominent establishments. Unsurprisingly, the chef boasts plenty of stars. Together with his associates, they form a truly stellar brigade. Only about fifteen tables enjoy the tasting experience built around three main ingredients, and all cooked over a wood fire. The setting completes the experience, as the accommodation venue is housed in a former fishing house that opens onto the water. An evening that confirms art is also found on the plate.
Private transfer to Amsterdam Centraal Station and take your return train. The countryside rolling past the windows is seen with fresh eyes.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Experience Amsterdam like a local
There's nothing like learning about Amsterdam’s customs and traditions from someone who has lived there their whole lives. Amsterdam is such an interesting city, so it's easy to fall into the tourist trap. Accompanied by this local, you'll see the city from a different angle - perhaps an artistic one, as this is the theme of the trip. Your guide for the day may even introduce you to the concept of Niksen, “the art of doing nothing”. There's no point in asking for the itinerary because there isn't one. Your itinerary will depend on your interests and the local calendar.The STRAAT Museum
This is one of the world's largest museums dedicated to street art and urban art, and so it is fitting that it is located in a former industrial warehouse at NDSM Wharf. It is a raw and immersive setting that allows you to return to the origins of this form of expression. And it's easier to understand art when you understand the context in which it was created. Your itinerary will include seeing murals and graffiti, but also guided tours and workshops. It’s enough to thrill lovers of urban culture and win over others.
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