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Be Surprised at Amsterdam

Amsterdam means many things to many people, with not much common ground. It is hardly surprising; the city is more prone to being stereotyped than most, yet more varied at the same time. In short, it has variety in spades. Everybody will find something to their taste there.

The city was founded in the early 13th century as the small fishing village of Amstelledamme. It grew and flourished in the 14th and 15th centuries, entering a golden age as a great commercial centre over the following two centuries, surviving the end of Dutch mercantile power and expanding rapidly with industrialisation in the 19th and 20th centuries. The modern city has a population of 743,000.

Amsterdam today is therefore a mixture of many things: the historic canal-lined heart, the centre of culture and art as represented in the many museums, and, today, the standard bearer for social liberalism.

The last of these is one of the stereotypes. True, the red light area is world famous, and for those who are interested the cafes serve cannabis legally, with the Cannabis Cup contest taking place every November for the "best" drugs. It is a city for stag parties and wild weekends for many.

It is also a mecca for gay tourists. In fact, according to Time Out, it is widely considered as the gay capital of Europe or even the whole planet, with numerous bars and clubs.

For some, of course, these are the best or even only reasons to visit: the liberal, open culture and sheer hedonism. Those looking for it will always find it in Amsterdam.

But they are never the only reasons to come and those with very different interests will find a huge amount to do as they tour the city.

The Museum District is a good place to start. It contains three famous museums, including the Rijksmuseum, with numerous treasures from the golden age, including paintings by Vermeer and Rembrant. Then there is the Van Goch Museum, containing over 200 paintings by the famous master. Finally there is the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art for those who prefer more contemporary styles.

Elsewhere in the city the air of history is everywhere, with the Anne Frank Museum, focusing on the wartime past, Rembrandt House and Queen Beatrix's Palace.

There is plenty in the way of accommodation, including numerous cheap hotels, as well as a variety of food and drink. For beer lovers the Heineken Experience is a must.

Getting around is easy enough with a modern underground system, but also historic and fun, with numerous barge trips around the many canals and rides on the revived tram between the Haarlemmermeerstation and the Amsterdam Bos forest.

If all this doesn't offer enough variety, football fans have their own chance to match the modern with the richly historical by visiting the space-age Amsterdam Arena, home to the legendary Ajax Football Club, although games against fierce rivals Feyenoord are not for the faint hearted.

Amsterdam is a city famous for its open-mindedness. Anyone visiting should be open minded too – to a variety of sights and activities far greater than some would suppose.

This article is provided by Hotels Hotels Hotels suppliers of cheap hotels in Amsterdam

Updated: Fri, 29 Sep 2006 00:00:00

Related Links:
Amsterdam Tourist Board
Amsterdam Airport