AMSTERDAM
Whilst my BLOGGING was never intended to be a travelogue but
I would like to share a recent visit.
Prior to attending INTERZUM in Cologne I managed to grab a
weekend away in Amsterdam. Though travelling through Schiphol on many occasions
I have never found the time to explore the City. Like any city a weekend is
totally insufficient to do justice to exploring the beauty and taking in the
character I was more than pleasantly taken by the experience in the limited
time I had.
For this excursion I stayed at the Conservatorium Hotel a
beautifully restored building full of the original character and features. The
interior design and the new atrium is a tribute to attention given when
thoughtful detailing is used in the integration of the old with the new. For the designers eye it is a pleasure to
experience a well crafted environment and for the traveller the quality of
service and assistance given by the hotel staff well worth a recommendation.
You can check out the hotel on www.conservatoriumhotel.com
One of their suggestions was to see the city by a canal tour
and organised a trip aboard the “Paradis” a beautiful small classic saloon boat
built in 1920 and superbly maintained. The tour having a personal guide in the
form of the extremely well versed captain leading you through the canals away
from the crowds explaining in detail architectural and historical points of
interest was indeed a highlight of the trip and one I would have no problem
recommending.
The vessel being the
smallest available was able to navigate the narrowest of the waterways not
possible with larger tour boats. The classic boat owner’s web site is www.privateboattours.nl which shows
the vessels available for hire and their offerings including an evening dinner
cruise which I believe gives a totally different aspect in seeing the interiors
of both house boats and houses as dusk turns to darkness.
A trip to any city would not be complete without a visit to
either an art gallery or museum; with the time constraint I chose the former
and as the Vincent van Gogh exhibition had only just opened that was the option
I chose. Problem with all new openings even arriving on a Sunday morning before
it opened you join the crowds which does not assist any study. What would the
works of art say to me was possibly my main objective. As a designer schooled
in the basics of design, perspective drawing was one of the foundation stones.
It is said Vincent battled with perspective all his life, but to me his
constant striving for new techniques in presentation and material usage and the
use of colour is that which spoke to me. In one section you are able to see
under magnification the colour usage. The colour variations and tones in a
single brushstroke were truly amazing the craftsmanship illustrating both what
his mind and eye was seeing.
The streets of Amsterdam are a joy to stroll though both in
the architectural features and the vibe, irrespective of the European weather
pattern. You do not have to spend a euro to enjoy the detailing and building crafts
of the past, visit open markets or the experience the sound of an old pipe
organ in an ancient church which moved me as generally I hear rather than
listen to music.
The European weather has to be contended with but the large
umbrella the hotel supplied was well used and my scarf appreciated, I believe
it was late spring. Would I visit Amsterdam again yes – stay at the
Conservatorium again yes but the Attic Rooms look interesting. An evening
classic boat trip a good reason to visit Amsterdam once again.
