Amsterdam – A Shopping Experience with a Difference
From worldwide high street brands, to little independent antique shops, markets and bazaars – Amsterdam presents a shopping experience with a difference.
The benefits of a little retail therapy have been well documented in recent years. What better way to indulge oneself than with a two day break in one of the world’s top 25 shopping cities, and one of Europe’s prettiest capitals. At just over an hour’s flying time to Schiphol International Airport from the UK, you can breakfast at home, and be strolling around fabulous Amsterdam’s city centre by lunchtime.
Kalverstraat:
Shopping Experience: Situated in the heart of Amsterdam, Kalverstraat is shopper’s heaven. International brands such as Nike, Lush, Rituals, V&D and Zara via for attention with independent retailers offering everything from young upcoming designer fashion, to souvenirs and bric-a-brac. The whole area is a wonderful blend of the traditional and modern, but be warned. Don’t max the cards yet, there is much more to be enjoyed on your retail therapy break.
De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets):
An area often missed by visitors using their travel agent’s itinerary, Nine Streets is a Mecca for those with a love of older fashion and traditional products. Some would call it trendy, others quaint or quirky. However you view The Nine Streets it is a shopping paradise not to be missed. Its nine streets join Amsterdam’s four canals and are full of cafes, bars, restaurants, vintage clothing shops, jewellers, trendy boutiques, art galleries, interior design stores and skin care boutiques.
P.C. Hooftstraat:
If you think the likes of Milan, Vienna, and Dubai are the trend setters in global shopping think again. In 2012 P.C. Hooftstraat was voted the world’s 3rd nicest shopping street. In this little street of retail paradise it is exclusive everything. With such names as Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Mulberry and Louis Vuitton above the door it’s high-end products with high-end price tags. Even if you don’t want to overstretch the budget, it is a great place to window shop, enjoy a coffee, and partake in a little discreet people watching.
Albert Cuypmarkt Market:
While many prefer strolling the designer stores and big retail malls, there is nothing like the atmosphere of a bustling, busy market to get the adrenalin flowing and the purse strings loosened. Open six days a week and with over 260 stalls, ‘Cuyp’ sells everything you would expect of a large outdoor market. While there don’t forget to try one of the Netherlands famous Stroopwafel pastries.
Amsterdam has everything for the serious – and not so serious – shopper. From retail malls to markets and bazaars of all types, there is something for all tastes in glorious settings you won’t find anywhere else. Take your partner for some joint retail therapy, or organise a short girlie shopping break. Booking a stay at the Hostel Annemarie, with its affordable and comfortable accommodation, will ensure you are never far from the centre of retail Utopia.
