The international and more well known shops in Amsterdam are found in two main streets, the Kalverstraat and the Leidsestraat. There are also some shopping centres outside of the central area. In the countless tiny and characteristic streets, like "de negen straatjes" ("the 9 streets") or the Jordaan area, you will find many charming shops selling a whole host of things. You can also wander along the Utrechtsestraat where you will find many different shops, selling items from designer clothing to antiques, to hand-made goods and handicrafts to delicious delicatessens. You will also find all types of international cuisine here. For the more exclusive shopper, the P.C. Hooftstraat offers all the international designers like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Chanel, and Mulberry. Not to be missed are the famous street markets, where you are certain to find a bargain. The "Albert Cuyp Market" and the "Noorder Market" are the two main ones worth a visit. Most shops are open daily between 09.00-18.00 hrs. and on Saturday until 17.00 hrs. On Monday morning most shops are closed and on Sunday, in the main shopping area, the shops are open from 12.00-17.00 hrs. Thursday is late-night shopping and the shops are open until 21.00 hrs. Maison de Bonneterie Rokin 140-142 Tel: + 31 (0)20 531 34 00 www.debonneterie.nl Payment: Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, cash or card & PIN Opening hours: Monday 13.00-17.30 hrs, Tuesday and Wednesday 10.00-17.30 hrs, Thursday 10.00-21.00 hrs, Friday and Saturday 10.00-17.30 hrs and Sunday from 12.00-17.00 hrs. In 1889 Maison de Bonneterie opened as a small shop selling soft furnishings, fabrics and knitwear. The original store, founded at 183 Kalverstraat, was Joseph Cohen and Rosa Wittgenstein’s first business enterprise, Rosa being the sales assistant and Joseph the buyer of the goods. The store was so successful that in 1905 it was decided to re-build the shop within the Rokin area (near the flower market), in the very grand style of Louis XVI. The company has changed hands only once, after the economic crash following World War II, but to this day it is still a family run business and certainly one of Amsterdam's most impressive department stores. De Bijenkorf Dam 1 Tel: +31 (0)20 552 17 00 www.debijenkorf.nl Payment: Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, cash or card & PIN Opening hours: Monday 11.00-19.00 hrs, Tuesday and Wednesday 09.30-19.00 hrs, Thursday and Friday 09.30-21.00 hrs, Saturday 09.30-18.00 hrs and Sunday 12.00-18.00 hrs. In 1870, the entrepreneur Simon Goudsmit opened the doors of "De Bijenkorf", which literally translated means "The Beehive"! Whilst renovation work was being carried out, the shop moved to a temporary building situated at the "Dam Square". The move was so successful that they never returned, and in 1914 a brand new "Bijenkorf" opened its doors again. In 1926 and 1953 more renovation work took place as it became obvious that the store was too small and not very well designed. To this day many people in Amsterdam have a "love hate" relationship with the building, often describing it as the "poor relation" to the grandeur of The Dam's "Royal Palace", located opposite the department store.