This loungey affair obviously took notes from the hip side of NYC’s Chinatown. The dark and inviting interior harbours big screens playing Hong Kong music videos, bubble teas (lychee!), and some of the tastiest confusion-free pan-Asian dishes in town.

The famous skinny bridge across the river Amstel and opposite of the Carré theatre, is an Old Dutch design wooden bridge known as a double-swipe bridge. Tradition relates that the bridge was named after the sisters Mager, who were supposed to live on opposite sides of the river.

They are said to have had the wooden bridge built to make it easier to visit one another. However it appears more likely, that the original bridge acquired the name from being so narrow, that it was hard for two pedestrians to pass one along another.

 Because of increasing the traffic on the skinny bridge, a wider bridge replaced the narrow one in 1871. Skinny Bridge is far not skinny anymore, but one of the most beautiful bridges of Amsterdam. At night many lights illuminate the bridge, then it becomes a very romantic place, popular with lovers and photographers.

If you are looking for a place to relax below the shadows of trees, away from traffic and busy downtown in Amsterdam, plan a day at Sarphatipark, a small green area located in Oud Zuid.

Designed in English landscape style, the beauty of the grounds is complimented by that of the grand houses surrounding the park. The Sarphatipark owes its name to its creator, doctor Samuel Sarphati, who noticed that the centre of Amsterdam was getting far too crowded and small for the increasing population the second half of the 19th century was experiencing: one of the main problems of this growth was the scarce accommodation for workers.

Therefore, he began to build a suburb to attract these people, and made big spaces the landmark of the new area, including a park in the middle of the houses. Sarphati`s work was continued by the city engineer Van Niftrik, who followed the principles of English landscape style.

Located ten minutes the city centre via tram, this market is worth a visit if nothing else but to get out of the inner city for a while.

Over a hundred stalls line each side of the market. Every type of cuisine under the sun can be sampled but you can also pick up everything here from cheap toiletries to cut−price portable stereos. It`s open everyday exept weekends.

Another baroque garden set in the Jordaan district is the one located at Van Loon Museum. The house features a garden room where the best views are guaranteed, and a garden house with a prolific decoration of pillars, sculptures and tympanums on the facade.

Acquired by the Van Loon family in 1884, the building dates as far back as the 1672, though it received some luxurious ornaments in the 18th century: mirrors, panels and plasterwork were the only additions to the original structure set on the Keizersgracht.

Just a five-minute walk down the Damrak from Centraal Station takes you into this jam-packed square.

There are food stalls, restaurants and shops galores, including the trendy Bijenkorf, Magna Plaza, Bonneterie and the Amsterdam Diamond centre. Such is the popularity of Dam Square that you might even have to wait for a seat at one of the many cafés and bars. Whatever the weather, there is always something going on here so expect lots of entertainment. In spring, there may be a carnival on or you can have a go on the colourful Ferris wheel. In the summer months, mimers and other street performers come out to surprise unexpected onlookers.

Like Paradiso, Panama and the Melkweg the multifunctional Hotel Arena hosts clubnights during the weekend, hosted by local and international DJ's.

The club is situated in a beautiful church which is over 100 years old.

The venue has largely been left in its original state, with the odd designer touch here and there, which creates a distinctive atmosphere in this popular and upmarket hangout.

City beaches are becoming an increasingly popular phenomenon and Amsterdam is one of the best places to find them during the hot weather.

Over the summer months, there are a number of beaches open to the public across Amsterdam, such as Blijburg aan Zee on the new IJburg island complex. This is a sandy beach with a café bar and open kitchen, with bands or DJs providing a beach party atmosphere every Sunday evening.

Probably the most popular beach in the city is Amsterdam Plage, an intimate sandy beach which projects out into the river.

The city's newest beach is Strand West, overlooking the IJ and offering panoramic views of the water. This is a beach where you can truly unwind, laze in a hammock, enjoy a cocktail and have food straight off the barbeque.

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