Amsterdam | The Best Travel Destinations

The House with Golden Chain – Amsterdam

The House with Golden Chain – Amsterdam

The house on Keizersgracht 268 owes its name to the golden chain on the facade. Not just any old chain, either. Various stories do the rounds on the chain’s origins.

Maid
One story has it that the owner of the canal house could not find her gold chain one ill-fated day. She accused her maid of stealing it. When the chain was found it was hung on the gable as proof of the maid’s innocence.

Burglar
According to another story the maid was home alone one night. She killed a burglar, disguised as an old woman, who forced his way into the house. Alas, his five o’clock shadow gave him away! Her boss gave the maid a gold chain as a token of his appreciation. When the maid was not satisfied with this, she was chased away. The owner of the house hung the chain above the door to publicly vent his indignation about his maid’s ingratitude. Continue reading The House with Golden Chain – Amsterdam

Shopping in Amsterdam

The Nine Streets
Amsterdam’s historic canal ring was dug into nine little streets (‘negen straatjes’) during the 17th century. These narrow streets intersect the main canals between the Leidsestraat and the Jordaan district, and are dotted with great restaurants, cafés, art galleries, jewellers, boutiques and vintage stores. With an exceptional array of styles, trends and prices, this area is truly a shopper’s paradise.

Upscale designers and labels
The Museum District (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum) is home to the majority of Amsterdam’s luxury boutiques and designer stores. The P.C. Hooftstraat is Amsterdam’s most upscale and exclusive shopping street. Along three short blocks is every label and designer you desire: Chanel, Louis Vuitton, DKNY, Mulberry, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and more. On the Van Baerlestraat there is a large Vanillia (popular Dutch brand) store. Famous Dutch designers Percy Irausquin and Marlies Dekkers have shops on the Cornelis Schuytstraat.