Grungy canalside coffee shop & juice bar sprayed from floor to ceiling in colorful graffiti.
Once on the Nieuwmarkt, moved to the Warmoestraat.
Café Hill Street Blues
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The Grey Area
Address:
Oude Leliestraat 2
Amsterdam
The Rookies
I had a chance to pop in here during the Cannabis Cup. Usually when I spot a pool table in a coffeeshop, I turn around and head elsewhere, but at The Rookies, it’s more of an after thought, rather than the primary focus of activity.
I think The Rookies works because it’s got a more open feel than most narrow, cramped coffeeshops. You can sit most anywhere in the room and observe everything going on. I chose to sit by the pool table, which turned out to be unwise as I was getting a lot of ass in my face when they weren’t taking aim at it with the backend of a pool cue. Fortunately this was noticed by one of the staff who rushed over and moved around a few tables to create more room for those shooting pool.
I enjoyed the tunes playing on their superior sound system. A little Van Morrison and other upbeat music give the place a lot of character, and set the happy tone here. While it’s not exactly my cup of tea, lots of young people like this cheery place.
Info:
Address:
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 145-147
Amsterdam
Rokerij
Now permanently closed by the City of Amsterdam, all three locations are gone. This review is for historical purposes only.
I tried to visit the Rokerij during the 2002 Cannabis Cup, and found it next to impossible to find a seat. This place is very popular, thanks to the dj spinning cool tunes, really good smoke and a nice large room in the back to chill and be seen by the hip set.
The crowd during the cup seemed to be an interesting blend of Americans, other foreigners and Dutch locals. If I could’ve found a seat perhaps I could tell you more. I even returned the day after the cup ended, and still found no place to sit and would’ve waited, but the thick cigarette smoke drove me out.
There are two other Rokerijs open now. One across from Central Station, the other at Amstel 8. All had nice interiors.
The Royal Pavilion Brighton
The Royal Pavilion in Brighton was built by King George IV, and was constructed over a period of 35 years. The Indian style palace is filled with lavish furnishings typical of these dusty old royal palaces… fun to visit if touristing in Brighton however. There is a fee to enter.
Info:
OPENING HOURS
October to March 10.00am-5.15pm (last tickets at 4.30pm)
April to September 9.30am-5.45pm (last tickets at 5.00pm)
Closed 25 & 26 December
Parson’s Paris School of Design
Located at No. 14, Rue Letellier, Parsons Paris facilities include a gallery open to the public with student exhibitions, the Sussman Computer center, printmaking facilities, photo lab, sculpture and painting studios, as well as classrooms for Liberal Studies and Design Marketing courses.
The facilities include a fully equipped color and black and white darkroom, and generous studio space to accommodate courses in painting, drawing and printmaking. A recent investment in technology has resulted in fully outfitted computer lab, the site of classes at all levels in graphics, and multi-media arts.
Parts of the buildings are “ateliers,” or studios dating to the last century. The atmosphere of the old Parisian work spaces in the skylit studios is a unique place to study art.
Address:
14 Rue Letellier
Paris
The Courhouse Hotel, London
When I was planning for a trip to London and comparing hotels online I came across The Courthouse Hotel in Soho. As I am a big history buff it got my attention as an ideal place to stay while exploring the city.
Everything is well done at this hotel. The owners wisely incoperated the buildings previous life as a courthouse into a five star establishment.
One can now drink in the plush bar built in the space of the former holding cells, sleep in the former judges chambers, and relax and workout in the stylish spa and workout center.
Mick Jagger and John Lennon once slept here by necesity, today it feels like staying at a private club for lawyers in the middle of London´s hot Soho!
Royal Academy of Arts
Since 1769, the Royal Academy has been putting on the Summer Exhibitions, which are one of the major tourist attractions in London.
Check their website for the exhibition schedule.
Admission: £7 adults, children 12-18 £2.50, children 8-11 £1.50
Info:
Open: 10am to 6pm, until 10pm on Fridays. Last admission to the galleries is thirty minutes before closing.
Underground: Piccadilly
Website: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/
Address:
Burlington House, Picadilly
London WIJ OBD
Phone: 020 7300-8000
Musée des Arts et Métiers
Arts et Metiers is a museum that doesn’t usually make it on the Paris visitor’s must-see list. But for anyone with even a passing interest in technology and design, it’s a rare treat. The permanent collections are vast and beautifully presented. (Our favorite part is the multi-level installation on the evolution of the automobile in the jewel-like chapel).
For more about the arts in Paris, visit Paris Muse,
offering private museum tours for the creative traveler.
Address:
60, rue Reamur, 3eme
Metro: Arts et Metiers
Paris
Buckingham Palace
The tourists crowd to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.
One of the biggest attractions in London is Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II’s home when she’s in town. Tourists flock here to see the changing of the guard, to visit the palace (summer tours help pay for the maintenance), and to see special exhibitions.
The palace is open to the public in August and September. The Queen’s Gallery which displays many of the Royal Treasures including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, Poussin, Canaletto and Claude; sculpture by Canova and Chantrey; French porcelain, and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world is now open.
SUMMER OPENING OF THE STATE ROOMS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Open 5 August – 29 September
A timed-ticket system is operated, with admission every 15 minutes.
Adult £11.50, Over 60 £9.50, Under 17 £6.00, Under 5 Free, Family £29.00
A timed-ticket system is operated, with admission every 15 minutes.
Adult £11.50, Over 60 £9.50, Under 17 £6.00, Under 5 Free, Family £29.00
Info:
Email: buckinghampalace@royalcollection.org.uk
Address:
Buckingham Palace
SW1A 1AA
Phone: (+44) (0) 20 7321 2233