The historic Dutch capital of Amsterdam still retains its Old World grandeur. Here's how to maximize your visit to one of Europe's most walkable cities.

The Dutch know citymaking. Their historic capital, Amsterdam, is a product of 17th-century merchant capitalism, widely considered to be the first age of globalization, and its structure was heavily influenced by Europe's trade with the wider world. The concentric ring of canals that make up the old city are extensions of the routes that led to China, India, and the southern tip of Africa. Mokum (the Yiddish nickname for the city) has managed to remain accessible even as it has modernized. An efficient tram system links peripheral neighborhoods to the core around Central Station, and because of its relatively small size, it is one of the most walkable capitals in Europe.

Touring: A beguiling warren of narrow lanes, canals, and tiny bridges, Amsterdam is perfect for a meandering stroll. For the complete tour, choose from two options: bicycle or boat. Almost everyone rides a bike in Amsterdam, and renting one is easy. The city is as cycling-friendly as they come, with a network of designated lanes and parking, and the old prewar-style bicycles that dominate the lanes will take you back to another time. Mac Bike can put you in the saddle at any one of their numerous locations.

The Netherlands' capital is a watery place, nestled well below sea level, and touring by water provides a great way to view the rows of 17th-century canal-side homes and warehouses. Forgo the cumbersome cruise-boat tours that crowd the major waterways and take a more pleasant, personalized journey through the backwaters. The St. Nicolaas Boat Club is a little-known gem that offers daily tours on their small fleet of quaint, authentically Dutch canal boats. Bring a picnic and a bottle of wine, and see one of the most beautiful European cities from its most unique vantage point. For the pleasure, your ship captain will accept donations at the end of your voyage, and tours can be arranged only by visiting Boom Chicago, a comedy club and bar in the Leidseplein square.

 

By Anna Kuchment

March 10, 2008 issue

Last year Sam Chapman banned gossip at his small Chicago firm. “Since we put the regime in place, it’s changed everything,” says Chapman, CEO of Empower Public Relations. Each of the company’s 17 employees has agreed that when an employee says something negative behind a co-worker’s back, he or she will be required to repeat that gossip to the person’s face. As a result, one person who was seen as unproductive got the chance to explain she had negotiated reduced hours because she was still in school. Another was rumored to be dating someone at the office but revealed she had recently become engaged to someone else. “When you clean up the stories, you find that more than half of them are untrue,” says Chapman, who credits the policy with helping to double his firm’s business; workers, he says, are less distracted, more efficient and communicate better with one another.

Chapman’s policy offers a drastic solution to a common workplace problem. A recent survey by the staffing firm Randstad USA found that 60 percent of employees named gossip as their No. 1 pet peeve at work. As the economy sours, problems with office gossip may well increase. “Sometimes people deal with anxiety over layoffs by focusing on others and not getting along with them,” says Fran Furman, director of a large employee-assistance program run out of St. Vincent’s Hospital Manhattan, who has already seen an uptick in complaints related to the office rumor mill.

March 10, 2008 issue 

Star in your own action sports video with a wearable, miniature camcorder. Helmet cams are the latest must-have gizmo for adrenaline junkies, who post their exploits online and e-mail clips to friends. They mount to your head, handlebars, surfboard or kayak, leaving hands free for rip cords or ski poles.

The POV.1 features a lipstick-size camera, a wireless remote, a microphone and editing software that allows you to organize and upload clips to video-sharing sites ($700; vio-pov.com). The Digital Hero 3 has waterproof housing, shoots 56 minutes of video and sound and features a slide-show mode that takes a picture every five seconds ($140 to $180; goprocamera.com). Built for simplicity, the VholdR features aluminum housing, one on-off switch and no cables, and weighs 4.8 ounces ($350; vholdr.com). Already own a camcorder? Hoyttech.com sells lipstick cameras that can attach to your camcorder such as the EconoSport HelmetCam kit ($190). Helmetcameracentral.com sells a variety of brands and includes product reviews. Post images on YouTube or upload them to rip.tv and watch the spills and thrills.

By Tara Weingarten

March 10, 2008 issue

‘I’m Ready for My Chase Scene’

Forty years ago Steve McQueen popped his Mustang GT over San Francisco’s pointy hills in “Bullitt.” Ford pays homage to that iconic man-car with a limited edition. Get on the list fast: just 7,000 will be built.

Mag Wheels: These 18-inch cast aluminum Euroflange wheels are made in the original charcoal satin finish with Argent gray-painted brake calipers.

Ride: A high-performance engine with 300hp is sweet at this price point. And a Tremac five-speed manual transmission is easy and quick to shift.

Interior: The engine-turned aluminum dashboard trim is inspired, even if hard plastic on air vents, the audio system and door panels isn’t.

March 10, 2008 issue

If spring’s impending arrival has got you wondering what to do about your overgrown yard, you might consider hiring a gardening coach. Gardening coaches provide one-on-one consultations to first-time gardeners, as well as those with a little more experience looking for a second opinion. They’ll help you get a handle on that chaotic overgrowth, as well as identify your flora, make design suggestions or show you how to fertilize properly. “We try to teach people how to do it themselves, not do it for them,” says Susan Harris, a Takoma Park, Md., gardening coach. And, compared with the cost of a full-time landscaper, they are relatively cheap, charging as little as $25 an hour. To find a gardening coach near you, log on to thegardeningcoach.com, a worldwide directory. If there isn’t one for your area, check with your local garden center, nursery or garden club and ask if someone is available to serve as a consultant or coach. Then put on your garden gloves and get ready to face the spring.

March 10, 2008 issue

True balsamic vinegar, that slightly sweet, deep, dark purple, syrupy condiment that many of us use on salads, comes from only two places on Earth: Modena and the Reggio Emilia region of Italy. Ferraris and Parmesan cheese are made there, too. Clearly, it’s a special spot. TIP SHEET sampled three balsamicos of various ages:

Fattoria Estense 8 Year: Less dense than an older vinegar, it’s an ideal consistency for salads and a dipping sauce for bread. $9.95 at surlatable.com.

Fattoria Estense 12 Year: At this age, the vinegar begins to show its true personality, being more viscous and with deeper flavors of the grape. It’s also more expensive. Use sparingly atop grilled vegetables, grilled fish and other simply prepared dishes. $35.95 at surlatable.com.

Our top picks for the week  

Rent “Into the Wild,” Sean Penn’s vital, lyrical, unsettling adaptation of Jon Krakauer’s nonfiction book about a young man who gives up his worldly possessions for a solitary cross-country odyssey. Penn’s eye for landscapes is stunning, and his affection for outsider life is tangible.

Buy My Money Matters kit. Get financially fit with this box full of tips and tools. Daily affirmations, workbooks and journals are a few of the clever user-friendly parts of this kit to help you save, set goals and spend wisely ($24.95; mymoneykit.com).

Hear “Another Country,” by Tift Merritt. Sometimes being down and out is the best thing to get you up and on. After tirelessly touring, then getting dropped by her label, Merritt comes back swinging in this album of sweet and delicate songs, with a substance that makes them prettier still ($14).

Go to Reykjavik, Iceland. Icelandair (icelandair.com) is offering round trips from Boston and Minneapolis starting at $398 for travel through May 14. Book by March 7, then hit the thermal pools.

Volunteer for the 2008 Great American Cleanup taking place from March 4 to May 31 throughout the country. Log on to kab.org to find out where to pick up litter, plant trees or collect recycling in your area.