Amsterdam's greatest charm may also be its greatest enigma: how can such a gracious, historical treasure house also multitask as the most offbeat metropolis in the world? From Rembrandts to rock and roll, the city has always been a mesmerizing mix of old and new. Now, as this new edition reveals, Amsterdam and the entire Netherlands is being dramatically revamped for the 21st century by artisanal trendmakers, designers, star chefs, and future-forward architects. Fodor's curated coverage includes the best of the country beyond Amsterdam, including Haarlem, the Hague, Delft, and Rotterdam. Expanded Coverage: The year 2013 will be a banner one for Amsterdam, as two top museums will unveil massive renovations: the Rijksmuseum (home of Rembrandt’s Nightwatch) and the Stedelijk (a modern-art collection). New write-ups showcase the city’s hip “outlier” neighborhoods: North Amsterdam, the Eastern Drydocks, and the gentrifying De Wallen “Red Light” district. The dining chapter dishes on the burgeoning school of Amsterdam cuisine (turbot on a bed of beetroot and sea nettles, anyone?), and a “Netherlands Today” section focuses on high-profile topics such as the changes for “vice visitors” (laws concerning sex and drugs), contemporary design, and immigration. Illustrated Features: Packed with gorgeous color photos, this new edition will add images of iconic recent Amsterdam buildings, such as the Nemo science center designed by Renzo Piano, the ARCAM center for architecture, and Delugan Meissl’s Eye Film Institute, along with new design-centric hotels such as the Conservatorium and the Andaz Amsterdam. A two-page feature presents top Dutch designers. Discerning Recommendations: This edition offers savvy advice and recommendations from local writers to help travelers make the most of their time. Fodor's Choice designates our “best picks,” from hotels to nightlife and beyond. “Word of Mouth” quotes provide valuable insights from fellow travelers.

Personable and chatty, informative and candid, Fodor's Gay Guide to Amsterdam is a one-stop introduction to one of the world's premier lesbian and gay cities. With his signature flair, Andrew Collins reviews Amsterdam's liveliest and gayest sights and establishments. A dozen day-trip excursions highlight the best of the Netherlands and Belgium, and detailed maps will keep you headed in the right direction.

Detailed and timely information on accommodations, restaurants and local attractions highlight these updated travel guides, which feature all-new covers, a dramatic visual design, symbols to indicate budget options, must-see ratings, multi-day itineraries, Smart Travel Tips, helpful bulleted maps, tips on transportation, guidelines for shopping excursions and other valuable features. Original.

A PRINT magazine and Design Observer Best Book of the Year The first English translation of a famous 1972 debate between Dutch graphic designers Wim Crouwel and Jan van Toorn, a public clash of subjectivity versus objectivity at Amsterdam’s Museum Fodor that helped set the stage for bold philosophical showdowns to come in design culture. Held in response to an exhibition of Van Toorn’s work at Stedelijk Museum, including student posters protesting the Vietnam War—in an era of youth culture and increasing resistance to authority, capitalism, and the power of media—the stakes were aesthetic, ethical, and politically charged. Crouwel defended his approach of neutrality and austere rationalism, attention to typography and worksmanship, and professionalism in service of the client’s message. Van Toorn argued for his use of chaos, collage, and photographs of everyday life; that a designer’s ideas, personality, and political commitments are integral to the work. Dialogue on The Debate has reverberated in graphic design circles for the four decades since, and it is often referenced in modern design criticism as a key marker for the philosophical positions that continue to define the profession. The first English transcript of this key event in design history will allow a contemporary audience to discover the ongoing relevance of The Debate in an increasingly complex visual culture. Along with the transcript, this pocket-sized clothbound book contains a foreword by prominent design critic Rick Poynor, and essays from Dutch design historian Frederike Huygen, who discusses the historical context of the debate, and curator Dingenus van de Vrie, who looks more closely at these two giants’ different perspectives on graphic design. A color gallery juxtaposes a representative selection from the oeuvres of Crouwel and Van Toorn, including exhibition designs, calendars, posters, brochures, artist book designs, postal stamps, and fascinating works such as the script of a 1969 stage production based on a story by Jorge Luis Borges, sealed in a tin can, and a many-gatefolded catalog for Ed Ruscha’s “Dutch Details” at Groninger Museum.

Whether you want to cruise the canals, tour the Van Gogh Museum, or bike along Amsterdam's scenic streets, the local Fodor's travel experts in Amsterdam are here to help! Fodor's Amsterdam guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time. This new edition has been fully-redesigned with an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos. Fodor's Amsterdam travel guide includes: AN ILLUSTRATED ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE to the top things to see and do MULTIPLE ITINERARIES to effectively organize your days and maximize your time MORE THAN 14 DETAILED MAPS and a FREE PULL-OUT MAP to help you navigate confidently COLOR PHOTOS throughout to spark your wanderlust! HONEST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LOCALS on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, museums, activities, side-trips, and more PHOTO-FILLED “BEST OF” FEATURES on “What to Eat and Drink,” “Best Museums,” “Ultimate Experiences,” “Bicycling in Amsterdam,” and more TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS including when to go, getting around, beating the crowds, and saving time and money HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INSIGHTS providing rich context on the local people, art, architecture, cuisine, music, geography and more SPECIAL FEATURES on “Ultimate Experiences,” “What to Watch and Read Before You Visit,” and “Where to See Tulips” LOCAL WRITERS to help you find the under-the-radar gems UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE ON: Amsterdam, including neighborhoods such as Centrum and Jordaan; Rotterdam; The Hague; Haarlem; and Delft Planning on visiting nearby European counties and cities? Check out Fodor's Belgium, Fodor's Paris, and Fodor's Rome. *Important note for digital editions: The digital edition of this guide does not contain all the images or text included in the physical edition. ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor's has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years. For more travel inspiration, you can sign up for our travel newsletter at fodors.com/newsletter/signup, or follow us @FodorsTravel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We invite you to join our friendly community of travel experts at fodors.com/community to ask any other questions and share your experience with us!

Whether you want to explore Dubrovnik’s Old Town, go sailing in Split, or drink wine in Istria, the local Fodor’s travel experts in Croatia are here to help! Fodor’s Essential Croatia guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time. This new edition has been fully-redesigned with an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos. Fodor’s “Essential” guides have been named by Booklist as the Best Travel Guide Series of 2020! Fodor’s Croatia travel guide includes: AN ILLUSTRATED ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE to the top things to see and do MULTIPLE ITINERARIES to effectively organize your days and maximize your time MORE THAN 20 DETAILED MAPS to help you navigate confidently COLOR PHOTOS throughout to spark your wanderlust! HONEST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LOCALS on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, activities, and more PHOTO-FILLED “BEST OF” FEATURES on “Croatia’s Best Islands”, “Croatia’s Best Outdoor Adventures”, and more TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS including when to go, getting around, beating the crowds, and saving time and money HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INSIGHTS providing rich context on the local people, politics, cuisine, geography and more SPECIAL FEATURES on “Cruising and Sailing in Croatia”,” “What to Watch and Read Before You Visit,” and “What to Eat and Drink” LOCAL WRITERS to help you find the under-the-radar gems CROATIAN-LANGUAGE PRIMER with useful words and essential phrases UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE ON: Dubrovnik, Split, Istria, Hvar, Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Krk, Zadar, Montenegro, Slovenia, and more Planning on visiting the rest of Europe? Check out Fodor’s Essential Europe. *Important note for digital editions: The digital edition of this guide does not contain all the images or text included in the physical edition. ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor’s has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years. For more travel inspiration, you can sign up for our travel newsletter at fodors.com/newsletter/signup, or follow us @FodorsTravel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We invite you to join our friendly community of travel experts at fodors.com/community to ask any other questions and share your experience with us!

Travel guide to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and some of Belgium. Includes choices of where to stay and eat, must-see sights, and ratings.