Amsterdam

What a place. Amsterdam has got it all. Spontaneous and cultured, historic and modern it is a place of diversity and harmony. With its Canals and Museums, its classical Gabled Houses and art galleries and a street life that positively fizzes it is a place for old and young alike. There is never a dull moment and yet the atmosphere is uniquely laid back.

Amsterdam may have a reputation as the live and let live, hippy capital of Europe but it is also a hive of commercial activity and the new affluence has meant the upgrading of many rundown areas and facilities.

One of the joys of Amsterdam is that it is so accessible. The tram system is comprehensive, taxis are readily come by and for the full authentic Dutch effect, hire a bicycle, don't think of hiring a car there are much better ways of discovering the city.

What to do and where to go

Hit the Street

As much as anything else Amsterdam is an experience to be enjoyed in the broadest possible way. This can be done by simply wandering about watching the people and taking in the sights that are incidental to your strolling. Amsterdam is good to look at. Many of the 17th Century town houses remain in a stunning state of repair and the cobbled streets alongside of the canals make it a thoroughly enjoyable way of getting to know the place.

Rijksmuseum

A museum that is renowned as the home of Dutch artistic heritage. Most notably the museum holds the world's largest collection of Dutch masters. This includes Rembrandts 'The Night Watch' amongst others. The museum also houses sculptures and art, treasure from the Old Dutch colonies and much more. It is a large place so be prepared to spend some time here to see it all.

Vincent van Gough Museum

Home to the largest collection of the great mans work. It also contains paintings by his friends and contemporaries including Gauguin and Lautrec. This is where the 'Sunflowers' resides.

Anne Frankhuis

An inspiring and thought provoking place to visit. This is where Otto Frank hid his family from the Nazis for more than two years at the latter part of WW II. It was here that Anne Frank wrote her Diary. The cramped conditions have been maintained, as they were when the teenage Anne wrote her account of the daily trials of 8 people from two families.

And Back To The Streets...

If you want to check out Amsterdam life then the place to go are the cities many Brown cafes. These are the warm, friendly, smoky and convivial bars beloved of Amsterdammers.

Alternatively there are the 'Coffeshops' where people famously go to not drink Coffee. Largely for weed tourists, these cafes are the places where it is possible to legally buy and smoke dope of many different kinds. Beware: the liberal and relaxed attitude to drugs extends only as far as small quantities of Cannabis are concerned. Expect to be punished severely for over stepping the mark.

Now for the naughty bit...

Amsterdam's Red Light District, crammed into a small area around the Oude Kirk, is a curious place. There is an undercurrent of sleaze and yet the whole thing is presented with such good humour that it is difficult not to be drawn in by the atmosphere of the area. However caution is required. This is a part of the city where everything is available at a price. Stay on the main parts of the district especially at night and be careful of personal possessions.

Get off the Streets and onto the Water

The best and most relaxed way of taking in the sights of the city is by way of a canal boat trip. Check locally for details.

If Time Allows

In the summer the Royal Palace is open to viewing. The Rembradthuis is also worth a look, this is a faithful restoration of the Masters house as it was when he lived and worked there. At the Amsterdams Historisch Museum there is a chance to become acquainted with the city from its most humble beginnings through the Golden Age to the present day.

For a Bite to Eat?

The culinary fare on offer in Amsterdam reflects both its global position and its position as a fully paid up member of the EU. There are many good restaurants offering food from the Mid and Far East though Amsterdam prides itself on the quality of the Indonesian cuisine on offer. There are also high quality French and Italian restaurants worthy of a visit as well. Foremost amongst the French restaurants is La Rive in the Amstel Hotel expensive but exquisite. For good traditional Dutch food the D'Vijff Vlieghen is worth a visit and for seafood try the Oesterbar. A fine Indonesian restaurant is the Kantjil en de Tyger.

And so to bed...

As a place suitable for old and young, rich and poor, Amsterdam has a wide choice of places to stay. It has everything from cheap, lively hostels and campsites to some of the best Hotels in Europe. Below are listed a few of the Hotels on offer.

At the top of the range are The Amstel and Krasnopolsky both offer everything one would expect from such hotels set against a more traditional background as befits such long-standing establishments.

Slightly cheaper but excellent none the less is the Jan Luyken, this is sited near to the Van Gogh Museum. In a similar price bracket is the Schiller it dates from the late Victorian era and has an oak panelled dining room.

One of the best value hotels in the city is Seven Bridges this charming hotel is distinguished by its individually decorated rooms.

In a slightly lower price bracket but still giving good value are the Prinsenhof, sited near the river and the Piet Hein which faces Vondelpark close to the cities museums.