Amsterdam
Matchmaking in Amsterdam
With its picturesque canals, magnificent gabled houses and unique flair, Amsterdam radiates something as idyllic as it is mystical. And so the capital of the Netherlands can also radiate a morbid charm. We from the team of the partner agency Christa Appelt are confessed “Amsterdamer” – and would like to give you completely personal views of the townscape and urban hustle and bustle…
Fall in love in the once wealthiest city in Europe
Amsterdam owes its architectural splendour to the fact that it became Europe’s most important maritime and commercial metropolis at the beginning of the 17th century, thanks to the companies based here, above all due to the lively freight traffic in the Pacific region. 1609 marked the dawn of the so-called Golden Age of the Netherlands – and with it Amsterdam became the most prosperous city on the continent. During this time, Amsterdam and the Netherlands also experienced an important cultural blossoming, because painter geniuses such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals immortalized the splendour of this epoch in monumental pictorial worlds – among whose fans we from the team of the dating agency Christa Appelt also count.
Water as a lifeline
In the 18th century, the city advanced to become the financial centre of Europe, which initially increased its wealth, but at the beginning of the 19th century the former fame threatened to fade irrevocably. With the opening of the North Sea Canal in 1876, the tide turned again, for through this artificially created waterway the – as we from the team of the partner agency Christa Appelt gladly attest them – resourceful Dutchmen gained access to the North Sea. And thus to new trade routes to Great Britain and North America.
The best way to fall in love on a bicycle is in Amsterdam.
To this day, more than 7000 historic merchants’ and warehouses as well as around 1300 bridges bear witness to the Golden Age. The world-famous Amsterdam canal belt, which enabled unhindered trade for centuries, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.
It is precisely this integration of water that makes the Dutch capital so popular with visitors – and with us from the ladies of the dating agency Christa Appelt. The locals appreciate the almost maritime ambience no less; instead of the car, one prefers to use a boat that takes one almost everywhere. Or you can get on your “Fiets” and explore the city by bike. What also Christa Appelt and her team from the dating agency Christa Appelt prefer to do.
Amsterdam is liberal – even in love!
With almost 836,000 inhabitants, many of whom come from other countries, Amsterdam embodies the image of a young, colourful, cosmopolitan and extremely liberal city. But this also has its downsides. The notorious coffee shops and the equally famous red light district also attract a dubious clientele. Which is why we from the Christa Appelt dating agency team would like to point out that some corners of the city are not necessarily suitable for families. Nevertheless, beauty and cultural opulence predominate for us. And this is exactly what we would like to present to you now…!
A festival for romantics: The magic of the canals
In order to get to know Amsterdam and breathe its spirit, a boat trip through the canals is recommended first of all. This opens up a unique view of the historic architecture, including the “narrow houses” – a cultural heritage of the city and favourite of Christa Appelt and her team at the Christa Appelt dating agency. Since the building tax in the 17th century was based on the width of the façade, the clever Amsterdamers simply built narrow but relatively tall houses. No less magnificent were the gables and decorations.
Impressive evidence of this architecture can be found at Singel 7 and at Oude Hogstraat 22, where the house is only 2.02 m wide and 5 m deep. This is Amsterdam’s smallest tea room with tea tasting and delicious sweets. Tip from the Christa Appelt dating agency team: Make sure to reserve in advance! And take into account the rather cramped conditions…
The advantage of a canal tour is that many lines offer hop-on, hop-off. So you can get off if you wish, explore special sights or go for a walk and then board the boat again at yourself or another mooring.
Rich artistic and cultural heritage
The Rijksmuseum, one of the most important art temples in the world, is the perfect place for an unforgettable stopover. And this is also one of our favourite places, the crew of the dating agency Christa Appelt. Here you can discover over 800 years of Dutch art and cultural history – and world-class paintings. These include the legendary “Night’s Watch” by Rembrandt, the “Milk Maid” by Vermeer, and “The Nativity” by Hieronymus Bosch. It is also worth taking a look at the world’s largest collection of the wonderful Delft porcelain.
One cannot avoid the Anne Frank House, which served as a hiding place from the Nazis for its namesake in the Second World War. And in which she wrote her world-famous diary. A place that gives you goose bumps. And should be a reminder to all of us…
Amsterdam offers an enormous number of places to fall in love
Speaking of the many great museums in Amsterdam, the team at Christa Appelt, the dating agency, would like to recommend the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum with their impressive collection of modern art and design. Here you will find works by Piet Mondrian, Willem de Kooning and Pablo Picasso as well as design icons by Gerrit Rietveld and Ettore Sottsass. The futuristic extension to the historic museum building was by the way created by Rem Kohlhaas – probably Holland’s most famous architect today with a worldwide reputation.
The best thing for two: exploring Amsterdam’s In district
The Jordaan quarter is particularly suitable for strolling; pretty shops, nice cafés and stylish restaurants in the narrow alleys invite you to discover; the “9 Straatjes”, a conglomerate of alleys around Prinsen-, Keizers- and Herengracht, in which handicrafts, design and unusual shop concepts are still written in capital letters, should be emphasised – and an insider tip of the dating agency Christa Appelt – are the “9 Straatjes”. And all this in the midst of the typical brick houses with their magnificent bell and stair gables! This is pure Amsterdam – and equally attractive for romantics and aesthetes.
Amsterdam is something for young and old
In the district De Pijp you will not only find the Albert Cuyp, Amsterdam’s largest open-air market, but also numerous pubs and restaurants. The audience is young and multicultural, the atmosphere is studentlike.
For those who like it more dignified and – as we from the team of the dating agency Christa Appelt – have a weakness for art and antiques, we recommend the Spiegelkwartier directly behind the Rijksmuseum. Here you can sometimes find real treasures, although unfortunately they have their price in the meantime…
We from the team of the dating agency Christa Appelt do not want to deprive you of the Czaar Peterstraat in the east of Amsterdam. In the area of the eastern docks, this newly designed avenue offers great boutiques, delicatessens and interior shops. A real and still quite hidden shopping jewel – so let’s go…
More touristically populated, but still a must are famous sights like the Damplatz, the Begijnhof, the Rembrandtplein and the Westerkerk. In which Rembrandt found his last resting place.
Old and new architecture in exciting dialogue
In the middle of the red light district is the church Oude Kerk, the oldest preserved building in Amsterdam, whose foundations date back to the 13th century. The coronation church of the Dutch monarchs is the Nieuwe Kerk, a late Gothic basilica in which Willem Alexander and Maxima also married. We at the Christa Appelt dating agency consider this place to be a good omen for a possible engagement, not only because of this wedding – which is why you should definitely bring your beloved here…
And another special tip from the Christa Appelt dating agency team for architecture fans: the Amsterdam School, a style of expressionist architecture that caused a sensation at the beginning of the 20th century. Evidence of this visionary architecture is still numerous in the city, including a huge residential building in Bronckhorststraat, the Gebouw Batavia in the centre and the Het Schip apartment block in Amsterdam West.
Flowers for the beloved, books for him…
The exceptionally beautiful markets are also a must in Amsterdam. One of the favourites of Christa Appelt and her team at the Christa Appelt dating agency is the Floating Flower Market on part of the Singel-Gracht. There, flowers of all kinds, but also the tulip bulbs typical for Holland, are presented on boats and barges and offered for sale. On Mondays and Sundays, the Noordermarkt in the Jordaan district, which functions as a flea and antiques market as well as an organic market, attracts visitors. The best food market is the Ten Katemarkt in Amsterdam West. And another special tip from the Christa Appelt dating agency team: if you are enthusiastic about this beautiful muse, you should visit the art and book markets on the Spui in the heart of the city. Here you can get real treasures at fair prices. And an original gift for your dream partner anyway…
Where the soul can dangle…
You’re in the country after a walk? Then off to Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s largest city park. In the middle of the large meadows and the lush trees you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and relax. And in summer, thanks not least to the open-air theatre, great events are tempting, which we from the Christa Appelt dating agency team also enjoy attending.
Außerdem ist der Hortus Botanicus, der als einer der ältesten botanischen Gärten der Welt verbrieft ist, eine traumschöne Location, um abzuschalten und sprichwörtlich runterzukommen.
Amsterdam even offers lovers a beach or two!
Let’s speak of local recreation, Amsterdam also has many other attractions to offer. For example, the beaches that are virtually on our doorstep. But the city beaches of Strand Zuid, Pllek or Sloterplas can be reached from the centre within only 20 minutes; those who like a real sea feeling and long walks through the dunes should take a look at the spacious beaches of Zandvoort, Bloemendal or Scheveningen, which are much more difficult to reach by car or train. Insider tip from the ladies of the dating agency Christa Appelt: The Beachclub Republiek in Bloemendal. Noble ambience, elegant audience, delicious drinks & food – as well as memorable open air parties with top DJs!
The lush flower fields of Keukenhof are also a worthwhile excursion destination; these have already inspired numerous artists and bewitch the senses with impressive plantings of tulips, hyacinths, roses, orchids, irises, lilies and carnations. The most beautiful way to explore Keukenhof is by bike. Or by boat. Whereby the latter is clearly the most romantic…
Romantic dinner, please…?
No city guide from the Christa Appelt dating agency is complete without culinary tips. And Amsterdam has a lot in store for you. The Ciel Bleu in the Hotel Okura offers fabulous cuisine with an unforgettable view of the city. Vermeer in Prins Hendrikkade also stands for an outstanding ambience and excellent cuisine. Casual yet elegant is Ron’s Gastrobar, where typical Dutch specialities experience an exciting twist.
Did we forget something? Of course, the list of tips and recommendations is endless. There’s the Royal Palace on Dam, the discovery of Zevenlandhuizen, a 19th century architectural jewel in the south of the city, and a sightseeing tour by tram line 2 – which, according to the expertise of the team from the dating agency Christa Appelt, is one of the most beautiful tram routes in the world. Or an evening of classical music in the world-famous Concertgebouw on the Museumsplein.
But we will gladly leave the rest to you and your spirit of discovery. The most beautiful one cultivated in twos. Because if you still miss the lady or gentleman of your heart: We of the team of the partner agency Christa Appelt offer our exclusive services of course also in Amsterdam. We are also happy to give you further tips about one of the most beautiful metropolises in Europe. Just ask us.
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