Latest news with #Amsterdam
Daily Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Review: APT Solara, a river ship that stands out from the crowd
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. To be or not to be a river ship – that is the question. When Australian-owned travel company APT approached the ambitious build of its new twin ships the Solara and Ostara, the brief was to create something dramatically different and see Europe through an Australian's eyes. Designed for the continent's busiest route from Amsterdam to Budapest, the luxurious Solara certainly stands out from the crowd. Despite having to adhere to the Danube's strict ship dimensions – there are 68 locks to navigate along the Rhine-Main-Danube route – the Solara offers surprising variety, and is contemporary and stylish with subtle nautical touches, including a chic French-navy exterior. Set the scene Checking into the airy atrium is a dreamy experience. High ceilings and a skylight open up the all-white space. There is a marble water station, a circular marble table and a tiled floor centrepiece in the dimensions of a compass. A dramatic macramé-like hanging rope sculpture descends from the ceiling into the softly curved stairwell, and the walls showcase original landscapes by artist Greg Wood and pieces curated by Melbourne gallery Otomys. The design was conceived by renowned Melbourne firm Hecker Guthrie (their first project on a ship), and influenced by APT's co-owners and siblings Lou Tandy and Rob McGeary. The designer furniture is whimsical and elegant but comfortable – think Gervasoni and Casini – and it has instant wow factor. If money was no object, this is how I'd love my home to look. We took a canal tour through Amsterdam. The itinerary While the Solara's 15-day itinerary will traverse the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, I'm only on board for four nights for the christening and 'shakedown' cruise. This is a test run of sorts, and we embark at Rotterdam under the Erasmus Bridge before sailing past green pastures and fields of wild yellow canola flowers to Kinderdijk to tour the idyllic working windmills (dating back to the 16th century). We dock overnight at quaint Dordrecht (one of the oldest cities in Holland), visit Lisse to catch the vivid annual spring tulip festival Keukenhof, and take a canal tour through Amsterdam, which is celebrating 750 years. Although the friendly crew is busily readying the final touches to the ship, and pumping out countless espressos from the shiny new La Marzocco coffee machine in The Salon, the whole thing feels flawless. With Solara's capacity for 154 guests (and 60 crew), no cabin feels like you are missing out. Picture: Supplied. The cabins There are three categories of suites: the plush Owner's Suites, the Balcony Suites and the wood-panelled Twin Window Suites, and each has a colour scheme inspired by the seasons. Thick carpets range from sage green for spring to dusky pink for autumn. Original prints of signature European shore excursions by Australian photographer Nick Wilkins (available to buy) adorn the walls and lend an antipodean lens. The bathrooms have an abundance of storage, enormous shower heads, floor-to-ceiling tiling and marble sink tops. Toiletries by sustainable Amsterdam brand Marie-Stella-Maris were sourced by Tandy herself. With Solara's capacity for 154 guests (and 60 crew), no cabin feels like you are missing out. Solara has seven bars and eateries, each of which feels like a top-notch restaurant or wine bar. Picture: Supplied. Food and drink Solara has seven bars and eateries, each of which feels like a top-notch restaurant or wine bar. Catering to Australian travellers who have curious palates and want variety and quality, APT engaged hospitality guru Monique Lane of Fellow Hospitality (collaborating with chef Stephen Seckold of House Made Hospitality). From the fare at Bistro Saison, to the degustation paired with top-notch wine in the Owner's Cellar, and the laid-back eats at Annie's Table (named for the owners' mother), the offerings are impressive. The Grüner Bar & Dining, which rises on hydraulics so it elevates above other ships in dock, is a surprising hit, with dishes such as pretzels with whipped ricotta and moreish focaccia with butter that melts in your mouth. All bread and pastries are baked on board daily, and the delicious ice-cream and gelato are handmade. It has a circular conversation pit around solar lanterns to resemble a campfire, a nod to APT's outback touring heritage. Picture: Supplied. The extras Along with a jewel-coloured spa/salon, gym, and daily shore excursions that are included, e-bikes for guests who want to explore independently are provided. The roof has a small circular heated pool and two levels for guests to enjoy, and the Daystar Deck is a standout. It has a circular conversation pit around solar lanterns to resemble a campfire, a nod to APT's outback touring heritage. A marble cooktop space functions as an outdoor bar and barbecue, lending an Australian touch. The Grüner Bar & Dining has a great menu and sitting in a vibing wine bar while enjoying the view is a highlight. Picture: Supplied. What's hot The Grüner Bar & Dining has a great menu (the fish finger sambo is the hot ticket) and sitting in a vibing wine bar while enjoying the view is a highlight. What's not The square pillows on my bed were uncomfortable, although I learned later they were delivered by mistake and had been replaced before the first guests arrived. Checking into the airy atrium is a dreamy experience. Picture: Supplied. The verdict - 10/10 While I didn't sail the full itinerary, it's impossible to fault Solara. It's the most stylish river ship I've set foot on – the combination of Australian design, food and thoughtful inclusions is impeccable. The writer was a guest of APT Luxury Travel. Its 15-day Magnificent Europe cruise on Solara and Ostara, sailing Budapest to Amsterdam, starts at around $8495 twin share. Originally published as Review: APT Solara stands out from the crowd
Times
3 hours ago
- Times
Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky review: a grand, stylish Amsterdam stay
The scene is set inside this hotel's belle époque-era Winter Garden: an exclusive jewel box courtyard of palms and peacock colours, accented beneath a 19th-century glass roof. As for the clientele, this is where dapper chaps and well-heeled ladies breakfast late and attend evening high society balls. The lavish restaurant is surely the Dutch capital's best example of turn-of-the-century ambience and both the Winter Garden and its encompassing hotel owe much of their charm to the name above the entrance: Adolf Wilhelm Krasnapolsky, a Polish tailor who arrived in the city in 1856 and set about creating a swinging scene that's lasted until today. But that's not to say Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky is old-fashioned. Yes, it's wonderfully nostalgic, but that marries with Anantara's renowned light touch to make it a classically modern affair, and its rooms and dinner jaunts are a rare and luxurious thing. As for service, it's refreshingly hands-off, unlike so much of Amsterdam's cut and thrust these days. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Score 8/10If you're familiar with the Anantara brand, you'll know it for its plush hotels in Thailand, the Maldives and the UAE. It's a similar deal here, as there are 402 rooms, the largest of any in the company's globe-trotting portfolio, and they are spread across 55 canal houses, all of which have been geometrically puzzled together like one giant optical illusion from the Dutch mind-bender MC Escher. The silky colour scheme in each of the rooms is soft and neutral — swan white, porcelain, chiffon and chrome. There is also modern ergonomic Dutch design and a spectrum of deluxe and premium rooms that come with oversized windows, rooftop or canal views and bathrooms of ivory marble and polished wood. For the pick of the bunch, opt for the bumper-sized Grand Premium Dam View, with bathtub basking in natural light. Score 9/10 That Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky has become the focus of chit-chat in the Amsterdam food scene is largely because of the chef Tristan de Boer, born and bred in the city. He is chef de cuisine at the one-Michelin-star White Room, a restaurant as beautiful as the Winter Garden and an ode to the history of the French brasserie. The original restaurant, De Witte Zaal, opened in 1885 and maintains its handsome look with gilded mirrors, marble pillars and striking torso sculptures. Food-wise, it unites the best French ingredients (macarons, ceps, artichokes à la barigoule) with the Dutch kitchen (smoked mackerel, north sea crab, black caviar). Whatever you do, dress up. The hotel's other two talking points are Grand Café Krasnapolsky, a Viennese-style fantasy of cakes, macarons and meringues and a bar focusing on the art of tailoring and created as a hat's tip to Krasnapolsky. Though it's short on subtlety (spot the thimble lights, sewing machine, jumbo pair of scissors, measuring tape edging the counter bar), the Tailor is still fresh and fun for a hotel bar. • Read our full guide to Amsterdam• Best boutique hotels in Amsterdam Score 8/10With so much history, this is a hotel that has a lot to say. Cue a hotel archivist who puts on mini exhibitions (free, year-round) and with snippets that you actually want to know about (Martin Luther King once gave a speech here, for instance). There is also a spa (no pool) and a fitness centre with a 360-degree climbing wall. Bicycles can be booked too. Score 9/10Over the years, Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky has become a monument for locals, with 'Meet me by Kras' becoming a common shorthand. For that reason, there's collective gratitude for its location, right on Dam Square, facing the National Royal Palace, ten minutes' walk from Amsterdam Centraal station and in the mix of the city's loveliest streets. Next door is Wynand Fockink, opened in 1679 and the oldest distillery in Amsterdam. Price B&B doubles from £264Restaurant YFamily-friendly YAccessible Y Mike MacEacheran was a guest of Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky ( • Best boat hotels in Amsterdam• Best hostels in Amsterdam for a backpacking break
National Post
14 hours ago
- National Post
Why a Toronto-bound flight from Amsterdam turned back after five hours in the air
A flight this week from Amsterdam to Toronto spent more than five hours in the air before landing — in Amsterdam. The cause was a missed scheduled maintenance that was discovered while the plane was over the Atlantic Ocean, requiring it to do a U-turn and return home. Article content The aircraft, an Airbus A330-303, had already been delayed 90 minutes from its original departure time of 11:20 a.m. local time, for what should have been an eight-hour flight from Schiphol airport to Toronto. That was due to a last-minute change of plane because the air conditioning on the original one wasn't working. Article content Article content Article content But the new plane had its own issues. As reported on the website View from the Wing and elsewhere, the crew realized only en route that there was required maintenance for the aircraft that had not been performed. Article content Article content 'During flight KL691 from Amsterdam to Toronto, it was decided to return to Schiphol as a precaution after it became apparent during the flight that the replacement aircraft (PH-AKA) would reach its maintenance deadline,' the airline said in a statement. Article content 'The aircraft was fully airworthy at the time of departure,' it added. 'To prevent the license from expiring during the flight, it was decided to return to perform the maintenance in the Netherlands.' Article content The delay — more than three hours on a flight of more than 3,500 kms — means that, due to European laws, each passenger is entitled to 600 euros in compensation, as well as rebooking by the airline. Article content Article content 'Although all passengers were rebooked upon arrival, we naturally find it very unfortunate for the passengers who were affected by this,' KLM said in its statement. Article content Article content Flight data from shows that the aircraft was south of Iceland and nearly midway across the Atlantic when it turned around. Article content Last-minute aircraft swaps have caused issues in the past. View from the Wing details how, earlier this month, American Airlines swapped out a Boeing 787-8 for a similar 787-9, then sent the latter on a flight from Philadelphia to Naples, Italy. But the runway at Naples wasn't certified for the 787-9, so it had to be diverted to Rome, 200 kms to the north. Article content
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why a Toronto-bound flight from Amsterdam turned back after five hours in the air
A flight this week from Amsterdam to Toronto spent more than five hours in the air before landing — in Amsterdam. The cause was a missed scheduled maintenance that was discovered while the plane was over the Atlantic Ocean, requiring it to do a U-turn and return home. The aircraft, an Airbus A330-303, had already been delayed 90 minutes from its original departure time of 11:20 a.m. local time, for what should have been an eight-hour flight from Schiphol airport to Toronto. That was due to a last-minute change of plane because the air conditioning on the original one wasn't working. But the new plane had its own issues. As reported on the website View from the Wing and elsewhere, the crew realized only en route that there was required maintenance for the aircraft that had not been performed. KLM confirmed to Business Insider magazine that the U-turn was caused by the aircraft reaching what it called a 'maintenance deadline.' 'During flight KL691 from Amsterdam to Toronto, it was decided to return to Schiphol as a precaution after it became apparent during the flight that the replacement aircraft (PH-AKA) would reach its maintenance deadline,' the airline said in a statement. 'The aircraft was fully airworthy at the time of departure,' it added. 'To prevent the license from expiring during the flight, it was decided to return to perform the maintenance in the Netherlands.' The delay — more than three hours on a flight of more than 3,500 kms — means that, due to European laws, each passenger is entitled to 600 euros in compensation, as well as rebooking by the airline. 'Although all passengers were rebooked upon arrival, we naturally find it very unfortunate for the passengers who were affected by this,' KLM said in its statement. Flight data from shows that the aircraft was south of Iceland and nearly midway across the Atlantic when it turned around. Last-minute aircraft swaps have caused issues in the past. View from the Wing details how, earlier this month, American Airlines swapped out a Boeing 787-8 for a similar 787-9, then sent the latter on a flight from Philadelphia to Naples, Italy. But the runway at Naples wasn't certified for the 787-9, so it had to be diverted to Rome, 200 kms to the north. National Post has reached out to KLM for further comment. Do airlines owe you compensation for turbulence-induced damages? Here's what we found out Flying into Turkey? Wait your turn to stand up on the plane or face a fine Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here.
Telegraph
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Amsterdam is celebrating 750 years – here's how to enjoy a summer weekend in the city
Amsterdam is a city that celebrates individuality, encourages quirkiness and delights in difference. It has a long history of riches and rebelliousness. The glory-days of the 17th century, the über-cosy 1800s, the counter-culture explosion of the 1960s – they've all left tidelines along Amsterdam's canals: opulent gables, Rembrandt and Van Gogh, barrel-lined cafés, gardens of rare blooms, marijuana-selling 'coffeeshops', and Miss Marple bicycles. Now Amsterdam is sweeping into a new Golden Age, making a fresh mark with galleries, sharp shops, award-winning restaurants and hipster cafés. Bristles of audacious architecture have shot up round the city edges but the cobweb of gable-lined canals is still at its heart, with funky stores in the criss-crossing alleys of Negen Straatjes, new galleries to the west in the Jordaan, world-class museums and chic boutiques south around Museumplein, a market and further foodie paradise in De Pijp, and hot new quarters opening up all the time. And here are our other Amsterdam guides, providing inspiration for hotels, restaurants, shopping, bars and cafés, attractions and free things to do (plus the best hotels near Amsterdam airport). In this guide: What's new in Amsterdam this summer Festivities: Amsterdam turns 750 Amsterdam has been celebrating the lead-up to its 750th anniversary all year, with a vast programme of exhibitions, festivals, concerts and more. On June 21, 15km of the city's ring road close for all-day celebrations, including DJ sets, street food and choir performances. Other anniversary events include a free Isamu Noguchi exhibition at the Rijksmuseum until October, showcasing the renowned sculptor's works. An Amsterdam Eats exhibition is also on at the Allard Pierson Museum until early September, that walks through the history of the city's culinary scene. Concerts: Sounds of the Future From August 15 to 24, venues along the canals – homes, gardens, terraces, concert halls, churches and outdoors – host the Grachtenfestival. Amsterdam's rising young musical talent take to the stage to perform classic and jazz concerts in alluring settings. It's the place to hear those who are teetering on the brink of fame. Museum: Photography exhibition Huis Marseille makes imaginative use of its two quite exceptional 17th-century canal houses (complete with ceiling paintings by Jacob de Wit) in Memento, running from June 28 to October 12. More than 100 photos from its rich photography collection track the changes, tangents and curious surprises of photography over the past 25 years.
