The capital and largest city of The Netherlands is one of the most dynamic, liberal and most loved cities in the world.  It is often likened to Venice, partly for its canals, and also for its source of wealth.  The historic centre has a network of concentric canals forming 90 islands, which are linked by 400 bridges. Modern-day Amsterdam is often associated with liberalism, but it is not difficult to see past this stereotype to find a refined, sophisticated global city as cosmopolitan as London, and as captivating as Paris.      

See:

• Anne Frank’s House – See the house in which Anne Frank wrote her diary, while hiding from the Nazis with her family during World War 2.
• Concertgebouw – Home to one of the finest orchestras in the world, this historic concert hall is one of Amsterdam’s most popular buildings.
• Van Gogh Museum – With the largest Van Gogh collection in the world, this is one of the most important museums in the country.
• Rijksmuseum – The largest and most important museum in the Netherlands, this extraordinary collection includes Dutch masters such as Rembrandt.

Experience: 

• On your bike! – Get around Amsterdam the way the locals do by hiring a bike!  Make sure it doesn’t end up like thousands of others – stolen.
• Former Heineken Brewery – No longer functioning, tours are available through the former brewery of one of Amsterdam’s most famous exports.
• Canal Cruises – One of the best ways to see the city is from the water.

Secrets of the City:

• Flowers – Another icon of the Netherlands are fields of colourful flowers.  Just outside of Amsterdam between the months of March and May, flowers in bloom are on display and can be enjoyed either on the ground, or from a passing train.  Look out for that other Dutch icon along the way – the windmill!
• The Beach – The long coast west of Amsterdam provides continuous beaches, popular in the summer months.