Page 13 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

DISC OVERING EUROPE  11

Two Days in
Amsterdam

• Discover Amsterdam’s
distinguished history at
the Koninklijk Paleis
• Stroll along the canals
of the delightful
Grachtengordel
• Be moved by the Anne
Frank House

Day 1
Morning Start the day at the
FINLAND
NORWAY Dam, a busy square in the city
SWEDEN center that is famous for its
Stockholm buildings and frequent events. Crowds of people in bustling Dam Square, Amsterdam
Dodging the trams, proceed
to the Nieuwe Kerk (p244), Afternoon After lunch, visit Afternoon Make your way,
North
Sea Baltic one of Amsterdam’s most the city’s third major museum, via the Tower of the Winds
IRELAND DENMARK Sea impressive Gothic buildings. the Stedelijk Museum (p251), (p453) in the Roman Agora,
Dublin Afterward, pop next door to a gallery devoted to modern down to bustling Plaka (p453)
GREAT
BRITAIN explore the Koninklijk Paleis and contemporary art. for a late lunch of mezédes.
Amsterdam Berlin (p244). This royal palace was Alternatively, if museum fatigue Spend the afternoon browsing
London NETHERLANDS POLAND built in the 17th century, when is setting in, venture out from Plaka’s quirky crafts and
At lantic BELGIUM GERMANY the city was at its richest, as the the tourist zone to explore antiques shops, then head
Ocean Prague town hall. Inside, the highlight the maze-like streets of the over to the Temple of
LUX.
Paris CZECH REP. is a magnificent marble Jordaan (p246) or rest your Olympian Zeus (p457) for
Munich Vienna chamber, the Citizens’ Hall. legs on a relaxing canal tour dramatic sunset views of the
AUSTRIA by boat (p259). Acropolis through Hadrian’s
Bay of FRANCE SWITZERLAND HUNGARY
Biscay Afternoon Take a stroll along Arch (entry is included in the
Venice the Singel, the first of the Two Days in Athens price of your Acropolis ticket).
four canals that make up the
Grachtengordel (p246), or Day 2
PORTUGAL ITALY • Explore the Parthenon
SPAIN “girdle of canals”. This is Morning Devote part of the
Madrid Barcelona Rome Amsterdam at its most and other magnificent morning to the amazing flea
beguiling, its olive-green ruins of Ancient Greece market and stores of lively
GREECE canals spanned by hump- • Get lost among the flea Monastiraki (p452). Pick up a
Athens backed bridges. Don’t miss markets and antiques stalls selection of delicious freshly
Mediterranean Sea the interesting exhibition at of Monastiraki and Plaka made savories and cakes
Het Grachtenhuis (p246) • Admire exquisite works from one of the many bakeries
or the Renaissance Westerkerk of art and craftsmanship here, then pause for a picnic
(p246), with its mighty spire. at the Museum of lunch in the shaded oasis of
Next, head for the Anne Frank Cycladic Art and the the National Gardens on your
House (p245), where the renowned National way to the Byzantine and
teenage Jewish diarist hid from Archaeological Museum Christian Museum (p457).
the Nazis during World War II.
Afternoon Having marveled at
Day 2 Day 1 the rich gold Hoard of Mytilene
Morning Spend a couple of Morning Start early to beat and the rare icons and frescoes,
hours at the Rijksmuseum the worst of the crowdsand move on to the nearby
(pp248–50), Amsterdam’s wander through the ruins Museum of Cycladic Art
principal art museum, admiring of the Ancient Agora (p453). (p457), with its exquisite works
its fabulous collection of Visit the museum in the Stoa of ancient art, and the
Dutch paintings, especially of Attalos, which displays items fascinating Benáki Museum
the Rembrandts. Afterwards, unearthed during excavations, (p457), housed in a beautiful
visit the Van Gogh Museum then make your way up to the mansion. Alternatively, catch
(p251), which is devoted to Acropolis (pp454–6) and spend a bus across town to the vast
arguably the greatest of all the rest of the morning National Archaeological
Dutch painters and contains admiring the Parthenon (p456) Museum (p452), whose
a remarkable collection of and visiting the New Acropolis spectacular collections include
his work. Museum (p456). many rare and unique exhibits.

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