The Haarlemmerstraat is ideal for strolling. There is a great diversity of stores, but it is also a great place to spend your afternoons and evenings, with a great number of eateries, bars and other nightlife possibilities. Honest, old-fashioned amicability from early in the morning until late in the evening.

The Netherlands ranked Haarlemmerstraat best shopping street based on criteria including diversity of stores, environment and image of the street. Gierstraat in Haarlem ranked second and the Little Kerkstraat in Leeuwarden has been voted the third favorite shopping street.

Dutch Store the Best Kept Secret is the most exciting store in the Netherlands, according to shoppers.

She has become the first elephant in Europe to receive contact lenses, said the zoo on Wednesday.

The 44-year-old Asian elephant was struggling with a damaged cornea and having trouble keeping it open because of the pain.

Her eye was injured when a branch hit her eye while playing with other elephants.

A special eye doctor for animals inserted the lens.

The operation was successful and the wound on the cornea can now properly heal, said Artis Zoo.

Both the Dutch site iPhoneclub.nl and Mac site Macrumors are reporting that the Cupertino-based company hopes Amsterdam is getting the first Apple retail store before the end of February.

One More Thing offer a number of details on plans for the store in Amsterdam, which seems to be headed for a February 18 opening.

According to reports, much of the store staff is currently in training at the Amsterdam Hilton, while Geniuses have been trained at a number of UK stores. A third-party company responsible for the maintenance services on the store once it is opened is reportedly set to begin work in mid-February, with One More Thing specifically claiming that the opening will take place on February 18.

Floor plans obtained by One More Thing show product displays and a massive 20-seat Genius Bar on the first level of the store, with additional product displays, third-party accessories, training and set-up, and a Briefing Room filling out the second floor. The store is topped with a pyramid-shaped glass roof over a portion of the sales floor, with the second floor left open as a void to allow the light to filter down to the first floor and increase the store’s openness. Offices for Apple’s operations in the region will be located on upper floors of the building.

With Apple’s iPad continuing to dominate the tablet market, total tablet sales in the U.S. nearly doubled, according to a new report.

Last year, 118 new multinationals settled in the capital and surrounding area, according to Alderman Carolien Gehrels (Economic Affairs).

In 2010 Amsterdam attracted 122 foreign companies.

Most newcomers to the capital and surrounding area are active in the ICT, creative industries and financial and business services. The new companies created 1231 new jobs.

On January 1 this year, a total of more than 2,200 foreign companies are established in Amsterdam.

A quarter of these companies have its headquarters in the capital. Amsterdam attracts most headquarters after London according municipal figures. In 2011 there were 31 new headquarters in Amsterdam.

The majority of the international companies, who settled in and around Amsterdam in 2011, are from North America (43). Amsterdam is also very popular with entrepreneurs from Asia (37) and Europe (35). Two new companies come from Australia, one has its base in Brazil.

Amsterdam attracted 105 new international companies in both years 2009 and 2008. In 2007 there were 94 and 86 a year earlier.

The fiscal climate in the Netherlands is the main reason many companies register a subsidiary and why the Netherlands is sometimes called a tax haven.

At the site of the old sugar factory “sugar city“, which lies between Amsterdam and Haarlem, comes the 25,000 square meter outlet center. That’s about as big as the outlet centers Batavia City Centre and Designer Outlet Roermond.

According to reports also luxury brands like Gucci, Prada and Lacoste will have a branch in the outlet mall.

He creates haunting, sharp, and cinematic portraits using only packing tape. His masterful workings of light and shadow make you forget how limiting his materials are and embrace the medium for all its possibilities.

The idea to work with tape instead of paint was inspired by his friend who worked as a car designer at that time. These guys often use slim tapes to outline their ideas on large boards. Max was surprised to see, how fast they could create stunning sketches with it.

All that is needed are flexible Plexi-glass, some brown translucent tape and a cutter. Check out this video of Max Zorn at work below.

The air conditioned rooms at Mint Hotel Amsterdam are sound proofed and include an iMac multimedia system which doubles as a TV. It also has free Wi-Fi access. Each room also has floor-to-ceiling windows, a minibar and tea and coffee making facilities with homemade cookies.

Tram and metro services are available less than a 2-minute walk away on Stationsplein. Dam Square is a 5-minute walk from the hotel. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is 20 minutes away by car.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel includes a high-tech gym and many open-air spaces including a courtyard and sky terrace. Guests can enjoy modern British cuisine in the restaurant. There are also many bars and outlets such as the whiskey bar.

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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Amsterdam
Address: 4 Oosterdoksstraat Amsterdam, Netherlands , 1011 DK
Phone: +31 (0)20 530 0800

This boutique hotel along the Keizersgracht canal is situated in the heart of Amsterdam. Dam Square is a short walk away. The restaurant has a Michelin star.

The Dylan offers rooms and suites with special themes. All have luxurious bathrooms, a bathrobe and slippers. There is free Wi-Fi.

The award-winning restaurant is located in an 18th century bakery with garden views. French cuisine is served complemented by wines from the cellar.

The Dylan has a gym, a massage service and a garden with terrace. There is a lounge and bar to relax. All major sights are within walking distance. Trams, buses and metro stops are only minutes away.

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The Dylan Amsterdam
Address: Keizersgracht 384 Amsterdam
Phone: +31(0)20 530 2010
Web Site: www.dylanamsterdam.com

Hotel The Exchange has 61 rooms, ranging from 1 to 5 stars. Each room has been designed and dressed by graduates and alumni of the Amsterdam Fashion Institute (AMFI). The rooms are as diverse and inspiring, as the neighborhood the hotel lies in.The romantic at heart can fall asleep in a Marie Antoinette-inspired room where a huge dress drapes over the walls and unto the bed. Or, if you prefer a more minimal look, opt for a room that is based on the old fairy tale of the Emperor’s New Clothes.

Hotel The Exchange is a concept by Suzanne Oxenaar and Otto Nan, initiators of the Lloyd Hotel & Cultural Embassy. Hotel The Exchange is part of ‘The Red Carpet,’ an urban-renewal project that is aimed at giving the Damrak a more diverse and fashionable look.

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Hotel The Exchange
Address: Damrak 50, Amsterdam-Centrum, 1012 LL Amsterdam
Phone: +31 20 523 0080
Visit www.exchangeamsterdam.com or Follow on facebook

In 2010 the hotel was awarded by the Venuez Hospitality & Style awards as Best Hotel Concept of the Year and obtained the Golden Green Key. At the 8th of June 2011 Casa 400 won the HotAm Award for most exciting hotel development in Amsterdam.

Hotel Casa 400 is convenient located within the ring road of Amsterdam in the Amstel district. You will have everything in arm’s reach: the public transport will take you to the heart of Amsterdam within 10 minutes, the Amsterdam Amstel station is a mere three minute walk away from the hotel and the ring road A10 is within easy reach.

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Hotel Casa 400
Address: Eerste Ringdijkstraat 4 – 1097 BC Amsterdam – The Netherlands
Phone:+31 (0)20 665 11 71
www.hotelcasa400.nl