Known for its liberal views and open-minded attitude, the residents of Amsterdam welcome you to this cozy city. You’ll adore the lovely canals and old European charm that make up the enchanting city of Amsterdam. Because the city planning hasn’t changed much since the 19th century, you’ll appreciate the architecture and historic homes that color the city. And you can’t leave without seeing the windmills!
Amsterdam’s bustling city center is easily negotiable by foot or bicycle, with 160 canals, 1,281 bridges and 90 islands all reclaimed from the sea. Founded on Calvinistic principles, today the entrepreneurial spirit of the Dutch culture lives on with a lively arts scene and cafes. The city’s strong work ethic produced a society supportive of Dutch masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh that fill the museums today.
The original religious zeal has been transformed into the uniquely Amsterdammer gezellig frame of mind. According to DutchAmsterdam.nl [1], "Locals and foreigners alike will tell you that the word cannot be translated. Its meaning includes everything from cozy to friendly, from comfortable to relaxing, and from enjoyable to gregarious."
The Van Gogh Museum has attracted more than 2 million visitors since it opened in 1973. The museum boasts the largest collection in the world of the artist's work. It is separated into five chronological sections of van Gogh's career, such as "Early Life," "Paris," etc. Among the collection are van Gogh's greatest paintings including The Bedroom and many self-portraits.
This extraordinary museum is not only dedicated to Anne Frank, but also the millions of people who lost their lives in the Holocaust. Frank's House, the "Secret Annex," is preserved as it was when she lived here many years ago; many of her posters still hang on the wall. Her diary and the bookcase, or "door" to the Annex, are also displayed. Anne Frank's House serves as a memory of our history which never should be forgotten.
The Amsterdam boat tours are incredibly informative and reasonably priced. There are several companies that offer different tours: jazz cruise, night cruise, architecture cruise, red-light cruise, and more. The tour, which is presented in multiple languages, points out main museums and sights. This is a wonderful way to discover Amsterdam's treasures.
Links:[1] http://www.dutchamsterdam.nl/ [2] http://www.iesabroad.org/node/1279 [3] http://www.iesabroad.org/node/1283 [4] http://www.iesabroad.org/node/1287
Amsterdam
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