AMSTERDAM EXPLORED Derek Blyth 1 873429 63 0 £12.95 316pp 12pp colour plates 85 b/w illustrations, maps full practical details index 187 x 127mm landscape With its tree-lined canals and snug brown cafés, Amsterdam is one of the most delightful cities to explore on foot. The climate of freedom and tolerance, and the flourishing of art and architecture, have created a remarkable city unlike anywhere else in the world. Amsterdam Explored guides the visitor on nine walks that cover everything of interest from world-famous art galleries and national museums to secret almshouses and specialised shops. Each of the walks is accompanied by a detailed map and illustrated with paintings and historic maps - more than 80 in all - from collections around the world. For those with more time to spare, the author includes two cycling tours and a guide to suburban architecture. Comprehensive restaurant and hotel information is given in an appendix, together with a bibliography and full index. Derek Blyth has spent the past 16 years in the Low Countries exploring the art, architecture and culture of the region. He has lived in Utrecht, Maastricht, Amsterdam and Brussels, and has written several books on cities of the Low Countries. It was while living in Amsterdam for six years that he discovered the hidden delights and forgotten stories of the city. He now lives in Brussels with his family but returns to Amsterdam whenever the opportunity arises.