Amsterdam - More than tulips!

Without doubt one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, Amsterdam is famous for its wide range of attractions, some even more renowned than others. With 165canals, 42museums, and uniquely more than half a million bicycles, Amsterdam has a population of over 700,000 inhabitants. How can we best introduce a city which is so unique and offers diversity? It is definitely a historical city, young at heart.

A city of characteristic canals and monuments, bicycles and internet terminals at every street corner, 17th –century gabled houses and skyscrapers, countless festivals, excellent food, song and dance and of course endless fun .Amsterdam’s unique charm asa destination is that it functions most efficiently as a modern 21st century city, whilst retaining its historic ambience.

The city was originally called Amstelledamme after the dam built across the Amstel River to protect the fledging settlement. It has a rich history dating back to the 13th century. Amsterdam was originally a busy shipping town, however today it has developed into a city that boasts several businesses around the world, and inevitably an array of diverse cultures that blend with the Dutch people’s hospitality to give the place a warm welcoming vibe. Whether arriving by train, cruise ship, airplane or motorcar Amsterdam is definitely easily accessible.

The modern highways are good connections to other European cities. Trains arrive regularly from points north, south east and west. In terms of lodging the choice is endless intimate canal house locations with a view, luxurious hotels with a history, hostels, camp sites, houseboats, apartments and trendy hotels.

Thousands of tourists regularly visit Amsterdam because of its diverse selection of things to see and do. Converging around the central Dam Square, the city’s attractions are never really too far, and are easy to reach by public transport. Museums are very frequent ranging from the must-see art museums such as Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum, Rembrandtshuis and the Stedlijk Museum of Modern Art, to the more historical ones like the Anne Frank House, the Aviodome or the archaeological Bijbels Museum.

For the more daring Amsterdam also hots unusual museums such as the Venus Tempel Sex Museum, The Tattoo Museum and the Torture Museum. There are other places worth a visit as well such as The Artis Zoo, Madame Tussaud and perhaps even the astonishing Amsterdam Diamond Centre opposite the Royal Palace. In the tradition of no less than 400years Amsterdam City of Diamonds the craftsmanship of diamond polishers, goldsmiths will definitely bring the beautiful world of diamonds alive.

Amid the urban envoirment, the city has a good number of parks, the more popular being Amstelpark and Vondelpark. Whilst Amstelpark is more of a garden-oriented area, Vondelpark is a converted marshland-49hectares of lakes, mini-canals, bridges, fountains, trees and cafes that are packed with cyclists, families, skaters and kids when the sun is in splendor.

Of course besides the parks and museums, Amsterdam is also a haven for shopping. Prices range from ultra expensive particularly in the designer shops to the cheap bargains that are found at the street markets such as Albertcuyp or the Waterlooplein flea market.

Everyone knows Amsterdam is famous for its Tulips, and one cannot miss the Flower Market, a veritably unique floral sensation of floating vivid colour that is beyond imagination. For the lazy shopper, the central De Bijenkorf department stores housing anything from clothes to cosmetics to jewelry, toys and food, offers an easy solution though definitely not the cheapest.

Amsterdam is also renowned as an entertainment Mecca. The endless number of grand cafes, pubs and nightclubs cater for all tastes and budgets, and there are several restaurants offering international cuisine. Those preferring a quieter night out will find the theatres, concert halls and cinemas around the city a comfortable option. Amsterdam offers a vast mixture of possibilities to all its numerous visitors including a wide range of cultural activities which are found in the Amsterdam Winter Adventure and Arts programmes.

Every single day Amsterdam offers its guests a wide range of things to do and see in order to make your vast unforgettable. There is so much to enjoy. Major and minor expositions and performances and lively shows. The city’s architecture is a testimony to the many centuries of glory and splendor.

The shopping is great. The nightlife is exuberant. Simply sitting in a sidewalk café enjoying a drink and watching the world go by is a great pleasure in Amsterdam where the extraordinary is ordinary, and where it is easy to make contact and good friends. Amsterdam is simply a city not to be missed by anyone. Whether you are young, old on a shoestring or ample budget your definitely are in for a good time! English is widely spoken and German and French are also fluent.