Welcome to Amsterdam. It is the capital of Netherlands and is popularly called as the Venice of the North. There is a reason behind it. Like Venice, Amsterdam is also a city of canals and bridges. It is said that there are almost thousand bridges in the city. The web of canals radiates out from a core and then loops right round the centre. In fact it is a pleasure to take a ride on a canal boat and tour the city. Amsterdam offers you a unique urban sight as you gaze at the tall gabled houses reflected in their black-green waters.
- Amsterdam, Holland Claudio.Ar / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
As you enter the city after getting down at the elegant Amsterdam airport, the whiff of flowers greets you. The whole country seems to be enamored of Tulip flowers. It is also the National flower of the country. Tulip first entered Amsterdam in the seventeenth century and soon enthralled the whole country. It is no wonder that modern day Amsterdam has the world’s largest Tulip garden. Yet another feature of the country is the abundance of wind mills. Amsterdam’s night life is equally famous. A trip to the Wallen (red light) district is sure to be on the diary of the young at heart.
Places to visit:
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- Dam Square- It is said that in the 13th century, the Amstel River was dammed here and slowly a small community grew up here. The square is situated almost at the centre of Amsterdam. The Square has the magnificent Royal Palace, War memorials, Madame Tussaud’s and museums. There is also a lovely church nearby. Tourists love to feed the numerous pigeons which gather at the square. Amsterdam has been a centre of diamond polishing trade since the seventeenth and eighteenth century. You can pay a visit to the famous Diamond polishing firms and see diamonds being polished.
- Van Gogh museum- Amsterdam is also the place where the famous painter Vincent Van Gogh was born and lived. His residence has now been converted into a museum. There are at least 300 paintings of the great master. It is believed to be the world’s largest collection.
- Rijksmuseum: The Museum has several paintings by masters like Rembrandt and Michelangelo. The Heinekin Beer factory is nearby. Do take a walk of the beer factory and sample some of the wonderful beer by the tankful.
- Vondel Park: This large, green oasis has a statue of the poet Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679). Today Vondelpark, with its lake is one of the most-visited spots in the city. People come here to relax, have a cup of coffee or skate while the children play in the large playground
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Amsterdam is an instantly likeable city and pleasing to walk around. For the musically inclined, the city has several top-rank jazz venues. You can also choose to hear the orchestra at the Concertgebouw concert hall. Just about everybody you meet is able to speak English so getting around isn’t much of a hassle. With luck, you can even find people speaking French and German. Accommodation isn’t a problem in a city like Amsterdam and the city has a variety of cuisines to offer. Amsterdam boasts of dozens of great restaurants and what’s more you can have your heart full of great Indonesian cuisine.
