Millions of visitors discover Amsterdam each year: the charms of the Dutch lifestyle; the beauties of its water-filled cityscape; the splendors that recall its Golden Age. Now we have a rare chance to see the hidden interiors of Amsterdam, to enter into the everyday delights of this world capital.
Living in Amsterdam presents a superb guided tour of the city and its canals, and of the surrounding countryside - rightly dubbed Waterland. We visit Broek, the prettiest hamlet in Holland; the fishing villages of the Ijsselmeer; the lakes of Loosdrecht and the melancholy dunes of Bergen. We discover majestic seventeenth-century facades, the surprising architecture of the Amsterdam School, and warehouses that have been transformed into roomy living spaces. We inspect interiors and furniture preserved since Rembrandt's day, flamboyant eighteenth-century stucco work, and the modernist decor created by De Stijl artists. A sea captain's home in the port, a farmer's house on the outskirts of the city, boat houses and converted windmills - all are explored, as are Amsterdam's delightful riverside pavilions and bulb- and water-gardens. Finally, we are taken to the cafes and marketplaces where the citizens of Amsterdam meet. A list of more than 200 addresses of shops and services gives a complete inventory for those who wish to experience the art of life in this enchanting city.