Category Archives: Arts

Three Weekends in Holland: Amsterdam & Limburg (Part 2)

Limbourg Chic & Nature

The Hotel : Winselerhof in Landgraaf

Surrounded by vineyards, this elegant hotel set in an old farmhouse is a haven of peace. We had lunch in the lovely interior courtyard bathed in sunshine (photo above, 5). Tasty refined cuisine with Mediterranean accents (3 & 4). The breakfast is also varied and plentiful.

We are happy to get in our spacious comfortable suite (1 & 2), after a long (sporty) walk in the nearby forest (6: no, it is not the silhouette of a real wolf, but a sculpture). When we left the Winselerhof, we felt very relaxed and invigorated.

What To Do

Visiting Valkenburg & Maastricht

Direction Valkenburg aan de Geul, a picturesque medieval village (photos 2, 3 & 4 above). What a surprise when we arrived, the village was crowed by tourists! It is really touristy. To avoid the bulk of the crowd, move away from the center of the village.

Another option: driving to Maastricht, a charming little town with countless cafes whose summer and winter I never tire of (1). In the evening, we dine in Herleen at the Brasserie Mijn Streek, located on the top floors of the SCHUNCK museum (5 & 6). A nice view, really good food and friendly team. 

Arty Amsterdam

The Hotel : Conservatorium Hotel

For this new weekend in Amsterdame, we focused about contemporary art. The Conservatorium Hotel, a former music conservatory, is located in the museum district of Amsterdam. I did not know this lovely neighborhood.

As soon as we enter the imposing lobby (photos below 4 & 5), we are projected into a large space mixing cutting-edge design, massive architecture and lots of art. The hotel has a number of works of art as well as renowned restaurants. The reception and restaurant teams are  friendly and professional.

But the best is our large Rooftop Suite with a sleek minimalist design (photo above and photos below 1 & 2). Superb bathroom (3). A cocoon of luxury and good taste. I forgot, the breakfast in the Brasserie and Lounge is simply delicious. 

What To Do

Amsterdam Art Weekend

There are a thousand ways to visit Amsterdam. We decided to go there, during the Amsterdam Art Weekend  (the next session is scheduled from April 15 to 17, 2021). s 2021). We started our art walk by visiting of the artists’ studios in residence at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten  (1).

Then we spent the rest of the day in different private art galleries. And in the evening, we were at an exhibition opening in the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the huge museum of contemporary art (2). After the event, what a treat to quickly be able to walk back to our hotel! 

The next day: long stop at the PAN Amsterdam,, the most important art and antiques fair in the Netherlands. Where among a thousand discoveries (it’s a real Alibaba cave), I really liked the sculptures of Vladimir Zbynovsky at the Etienne Gallery (3). In the afternoon: we went to the Moco Museum where I really enjoyed the works of Daniel Arsham (4). 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

I Amsterdam

Related articles : Destinations & Hotel Review

Many thanks to Visit Holland and I Amsterdam, for this beautiful invitation. Also many thanks to the Winselerhof Landgraaf and Conservatorium Hotel and the restaurants mentioned in the article. As always, theses are my opinions.

Trois week-ends en Hollande : Amsterdam & Limbourg (Partie 2)

Le Limbourg chic & nature

L’hôtel : Winselerhof à Landgraaf

Entouré de vignes, cet élégant hôtel installé dans une ancienne ferme, est un havre de paix. Nous avons déjeuné dans l’agréable cour intérieure, baignée de soleil (photo ci-dessus, 5). Cuisine raffinée et goûteuse aux accents méditerranéens (3 & 4). Le petit déjeuner est aussi varié et copieux.

Nous sommes heureux de gagner notre spacieuse et confortable suite (1 & 2), après une longue promenade (sportive) dans la forêt proche (6: non ce n’est pas la silhouette d’un vrai loup, mais une sculpture). En quittant le Winselerhof, nous nous sommes vraiment sentis détendus et revigorés.   

Que faire :

Visiter Valkenburg & Maastricht

Direction le pittoresque village médiéval, Valkenburg  aan de Geul (photos ci-dessus 2, 3 & 4). Quelle surprise en arrivant, il y a un monde fou! C’est très touristique. Pour éviter le gros de la foule, éloignez-vous du centre du village.

Autre option : roulez jusqu’à à Maastricht, petite ville charmante dont je ne me lasse pas été comme hiver, aux innombrables cafés (1). Le soir, toujours au départ du Winselerhof, nous dînons à Herleen, à la Brasserie Mijn Streek, située au derniers étages du musée SCHUNCK (5 & 6). Belle vue, très bonne cuisine et équipe sympathique.  

Amsterdam arty

L’hôtel : Conservatorium Hotel

Notre week-end à Amsterdam est placé sous l’art. Le Conservatorium Hotel, un ancien conservatoire de musique, est situé dans le quartier des musées d’Amsterdam. Un quartier que je ne connaissais pas et qui très agréable.

Dès notre entrée dans l’imposant lobby (photos ci-dessous 4 & 5), nous sommes projetés dans un espace inédit où se mêlent design pointu, architecture et art. L”hôtel compte quantité d’oeuvre d’art ainsi que des restaurants reconnus. Les équipes de la réception et des restaurants sont sympathiques et professionnelles.

Mon coup de coeur va à notre vaste Suite Rooftop : design épuré aux accents asiatiques (photo ci-dessus et photos ci-dessous 1 & 2). Superbe salle de bain (3). Un cocon de luxe et bon goût. J’oubliai le petit déjeuner dans la Brasserie et Lounge qui est simplement délicieux. 

Que faire :

Amsterdam Art Weekend

Il y a mille façons de visiter Amsterdam. Nous avons choisi de nous y rendre, pendant l’Amsterdam Art Weekend (la prochaine session est prévue du 15 au 17 avril inclus 2021). Nous avons commencé notre parcours art, par la visite d’ateliers d’artistes en résidence à l’Académie royale des beaux-arts d’Amsterdam, Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten (1).

Puis nous avons passé le reste de la journée dans différentes galeries privées. Et le soir, nous étions à un vernissage bondé de monde, dans l’immense musée d’art contemporain, le Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam (2). Quel plaisir ensuite, de pouvoir rentrer rapidement à pied à notre hôtel!

Le lendemain : long arrêt à la PAN Amsterdam, la foire d’art et d’antiquités   la plus importante des Pays-Bas. Où parmi mille découvertes (c’est une véritable caverne d’Alibaba), j’ai beaucoup aimé les sculptures de Vladimir Zbynovsky, représenté par Etienne Gallery (3). L’après-midi : nous nous sommes rendus au Moco Museum, où j’ai vraiment aimé les oeuvres de Daniel Arsham (4). 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

I Amsterdam

Autres articles : Destinations & Hotel Review

Un grand merci à l’Office du tourisme des Pays Bas et à I Amsterdam, pour cette superbe invitation. Merci aussi aux hôtels Winselerhof Landgraaf et au Conservatorium Hotel ainsi qu’aux restaurants cités dans l’article. Comme toujours, ce sont mes opinions.

Three Weekends In Holland : Maastricht (Part 1)

  

Trendy Maastricht

The Hotel: The Dutch, Maastricht

A great decoration (for Instagram), super cool and friendly team and central location, a stone’s throw from Maastricht train station. The best: our suite with a disco ball and Barry White as a music (photos above 4, 5 & 6)!

In short, The Dutch offers an 80’s twist. It feels so good that you no longer want to leave to visit the city! My heart swings between aerobics and lazy morning (lol). 1, 2 & 3: the lobby and bar of the hotel with a flair of Miami Vice.

Where To Eat

My Selection To Go For Brunch & Lunch

Photo 1. SoDelicious: for a Sunday brunch with good bread and excellent soups (the Thai soup subtly flavored is a delight). Relaxed nice atmosphere, with a great team and a very modern decor.

Photo 3. I really enjoyed the space of the Filmhuis Lumière‘s restaurant in an old ceramic factory. The simple cuisine is healthy and tasty with fresh and delicious salads. After or before, you can attend a cinema screening.

Photo 4. Bijzonder is a really good vegetarian restaurant. We tasted a platter with different restaurant specialties, in a very young atmosphere. It is located near the Grotten Noord (North Caves Maastricht Underground) which can be visited (more details in the “What to do” section below).

Photo 6. Very good burgers at Tapijn Brasserie! A vintage decor that makes me think of an ancient army canteen. It’s better if you have a car, because the restaurant is a pretty far from the historic center.  

My Selection To Go To Dinner

2. Onglet is all good! To access the restaurant with a “New York atmosphere”, you cross a hipster butcher shop. It’s quite exclusive but definitely cool. The meat dishes are to die for (and yet I am not a meat lover, the quality is impeccable) and the non-alcoholic gin and tonic is gorgeousl! Congratulations to Chef Chef Alan Oostrom and the team!

5. I discovered a very Dutch dish, the croquettes which are the specialty of Bistro CroquantThe setting is very pleasant with a mix of local customers and tourists. The atmosphere is more mature and family.

What To Do

Art, Science And History

If you have been to Maastricht several times, you know some of the main activities are to stroll through the picturesque streets of the city, do some shopping and then sit at an outdoor cafe for a long time. Especially when the weather is nice! But the more we enjoy a city, the more we want to discover it.

Photos 1 & 2. In the historic center, the Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht (natural history museum) is in an old building full of charm. We go from one room to another, discovering among others: birds, butterflies and the skeleton of a mosasaur (giant predatory reptile that lived at sea). Fun and exciting! Activities are also organized for children. 

Photos 3 & 4. I really liked the Bonnefanten. A part of the museum is dedicated to ancient art (from 1200 to 1500) and another to contemporary art (Arte Povera). 

Photos 4 & 5. If you like history, I recommend you visit the St. Peter Caves, dug by miners for 10 centuries. We did the private tour with a history-loving guide who showed us the space where the Nazis stored the paintings (of famous masters) they had stolen. Scary. Thankfully these caves were also used to hide Jews and an American pilot during the Second World War.

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Visit Maastricht,

Related articles : Destinations & Hotel Review

Many thanks to the Maastricht Tourism Board for this beautiful invitation. Many thanks to The Dutch Maastricht and all the restaurants mentioned in the article. As always, these are my opinions. .