For now, at least many of its "Golden Age" masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Hals will still be available to be admired by visitors in the Philips Wing. Normally the museum would be an essential part of your visit in the city, but you may or may not want to go to see such a limited selection of artworks, albeit a very impressive selection of Dutch and Flemish "greatest hits" such as "The Night Watch" by Rembrandt. It is near the Van Gogh Museum, so you can easily overload on art if you want to.

The current Rijksmuseum opened in 1885 in a grandiose neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance building designed by architect P.J.H. Cuypers, who also designed the Centraal Station. The exteriors feature towers, tiled murals and red brick walls. Be sure to take a look at the exterior while seeing its glimmering image in the reflecting pool on the Museumplein (Museum Square). The grassy plaza is a pleasant place for a stroll, as all the locals walking their dogs will attest to. The museum is open daily from 9am to 6pm.

I remember my first visit here in 1991 and I was mesmerized by not only the great range of Dutch art from the 15th to the 19th Centuries, but by an acoustic buzz created by the onslaught of the visitors and their constant chatter. Will this audio sensation still be there in the museum in 2008? The office of Cruz and Ortiz from Spain is in charge of the revamped museum design, while Van Hoogevest Architects are the restoration architect. The new and improved Rijksmuseum will have restored and new underground galleries, an auditorium and other large facilities for visiting groups, expanded storage space, and attractive public courtyards.

If you have time to kill before your flight or are stuck on a layover at Schiphol Airport, seek out the small spinoff of the Rijksmuseum. It is a pleasant little oasis of art and beats hanging around the smoky casino inside Schiphol. The two-dozen or so works of art on display are usually minor works, but culled and prominently displayed in one of the world’s busiest airports they can be fully appreciated in a way that would be impossible when surrounded by the legendary masterpieces of the main museum. The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is open every day from 7am (astonishingly early!) to 8pm, and unlike the main museum, admittance is free. It is located between the E and F gate piers, and there is a small shop with Dutch Masters-themed souvenirs for your getaway purchase. There is no place to store your luggage, so you will have to drag them up the stairs to the small viewing level.

There is also a fair collection from the 18th and 19th centuries. Other collections include Delft Blue and children's doll houses. This is one of the great art museums of Europe and I highly recommend going on a guided tour, or purchasing a guided tour book or tape.

The first thing you will see as you walk in is Rembrandt's The Night Watch. It thrilled me from the end of the hall (if you can see it past the crowd). I am sad to admit that my knowledge of Dutch painters was limited before I went to the Rijksmuseum, but it has greatly increased since. Besides The Night Watch, there are 4 exquisite Vermeer's, a couple of van Gogh's (most are at the Van Gogh Museum, of course), and much more, including Delft, Durer and other works by Rembrandt.

If you don't have an entire day, pick up a museum map and go to those that interest you the most. While there are more than just Dutch artists represented, it is the Dutch collection you mustn't miss.

Check out the collection at Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.