Introduction
Amsterdam, the city of traders, who made entire world their marketplace in 17th century and helped grow some of the most liberal thoughts in Europe, still maintains the same image. The wealth that Amsterdam earned from trade, especially of diamond and invested in highest forms of art is now paying back. The city has some of the finest museums in the world, a laid-back attitude that makes it an ultimate hanging spot, and a society that is much more liberal than what we experience in other places. The cityscape is one of the most elegant and cohesive. The leniency towards all forms of life has created a huge pool of drug network and prostitution industry that attracts students from all parts of Europe. Holocaust was once event that tried to change the face of the city and brutal reminder of this is the hiding place of Anne Frank, a teenager who wrote one of the most powerful and enduring pieces of this event.

What to do
Amsterdam is a wholesome entertainment and there would not be a single minute when you are not occupied. Some of the activities that you should pursue in Amsterdam are cruising the canals, visiting the gem-cutting factories, explore the sex museums, cycle around the city on this flat land, drink drink drink, and go to Heineken Brewery Tour. Off course, all of these options are apart from sightseeing, shopping, dining, and other regular fares.

City at a Glance

Latitude 52° 23' N Longitude 4° 55' E Area 636.75 Population 731,289 Language Dutch Religion Christianity Telephone Code 020

History
In comparison to other great cities of Europe, Amsterdam does not have a long history. The city was founded in 1200 AD as a fishing village on the mouth of Amstel River that grew within a few years to become trading powerhouse of the Western world. The money generated from trading and American colony of Nieuw Amsterdam (now New York) created amazing wealth for the city and made 17th century, Dutch Golden Age. This was also the time when Amsterdam came in touch with Protestantism that made it exceedingly tolerant. This age gave birth to great painters like Rembrandt and created heterogeneity in society with immigration of Jews and English Puritan pilgrims from other parts of Europe. The tradition of high art and tolerance continued over the centuries and great artists like Frans Hals, Vincent van Gogh, Piet Mondrian, Jan Vermeer, and Jan Steen made the city their home. Nazi occupation during the World War II created many scars on the face of the city, but it somehow survived greatest assail on its culture successfully.

Weather and Best Season to Visit
You will find very few cities in the world that have got such a wonderful climate. You can visit Amsterdam all around, though summer is preferred more than others with lot of events taking place. Winter from October to March is not so conducive to travel but with low tourist traffic and inexpensive accommodation, you can have a good time.

Attractions
Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum has the largest collection of objects created by Dutch masters in the world and is ranked along the Louvre and Uffizi. Anatomy Lesson, The Jewish Bride, and The Night Watch are some of the masterpieces of Rembrandt that have made this museum their house. Moreover their are works of Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Bollngier, and Avercamp.

Anne Frankhuis (House of Anne Frank)
The place which gave birth to one of the most enduring pieces of Holocaust literature, the house of Anne Frankhuis recieves more than half million people every year who pays their respect. Anne Frank, a 13-year-old adolescent Jew remained hidden in this house for two years without any contacts with the outside world and gave day by day account of whatever went there. Latter, they were caught and sent to concentration camps and Anne died just 13 days before the camp was liberated from the Nazis.

Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art
This museum has an excellent collection of impressionist art which highlight many movements and styles of 19th century. Featured artists are Chagall, Cézanne, Monet, Calder, Olenburg, Warhol, jasper Johns, Picasso, and Man Ray. The museum is housed in a building that is a stylish example of northern neo-Renaissance.

Museum Amstelkring ("Our Lord in the Attic")
This tiny church is situated in the heart of Red Light District near the Oude Kirk (Old Church). The church is a sample of 16th and 17th century worship place when the practice of any religion except the official Dutch Reformed Calvinism was forbidden. Followers of other religions had to go underground or aboveground in order to perform worship. This is the oldest house in Amsterdam open to public.

Vincent van Gogh Museum
The museum houses a chronological progression of Van Gogh's work with 200 paintings and 500 drawings. More than that there are some of his letters and personal effects are also exhibited. The museum houses "Crows over the Cornfield", one of the most powerful paintings of Gogh before he committed suicide at the age of 37.

Red Light District
Part of the city that allows its occupants to involve in the oldest profession that human race came to know, prostitution. The tolerant society of Netherlands have given space to every strata and prostitutes are an integral part of this tolerance. The area is well regulated and visited by hordes of tourists every day. A must see, even if you do not like to indulge in this open danger (almost 60% of prostitutes were HIV positive before awareness about AIDS started).

IMPORTANT FESTIVALS AND EXHIBITIONS
The Being a city that patronise high art forms, it is but natural that most of the events and festivals relate themselves to these forms. Some of the festivals and exhibitions that are held in Amsterdam are Amsterdam Roots Festival (World music festival) in June, Crossing Border Festival in October, Drum Rhythm Festival in May, and World wide Video Festival in October. On the cultural front, the city celebrates De Parade in August, Holland Festival in June, and Uitmarkt Amsterdam in June. Some or other art exhibitions are always going on in Amsterdam and it is better if you can check the tourist office for the current happenings.

PLACES NEARBY
Zaanse Schans
This traditional village preserves the architectural forms that were in vogue during 17th century. Here you can see windmills, houses, and grocery shops. Most of the houses and cottages are still used for accommodation and that makes the whole village as a living architecture. It takes just 12-minutes train ride from Amsterdam to reach this village.

Haarlem
Haarlem is a good example of a laid-back and peaceful tidy Dutch city. There are some great museums here but Frans Hals Museum is the most famous of all. You can take a 20-minutes trains journey from Amsterdam to reach this place.

AFTER HOURS
Entertainment of any kind is in abundance in Amsterdam and nightlife is no exception. There are bars with life music, stylish cashino's, trendy nightclubs, blasting discos, theatre performances, and last but certainly not the least the whole night action in the red-light district. Most of night spots are located around the Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein areas that never sleep.

SHOPPING
Shopping is a quite old preoccupation of the locals and tourists make not exception to this. There are around five shopping routes that can be used to make your experience more enjoyable. The first one is Must See Shopping Route through City Centre to main shopping areas of the city. Jordaan Shopping route is through Jordaan an old working class are with narrow lanes and tiny shops. Waterlooplein Shopping route starts from Dam Square and ends at Waterloo Square Flea Market. Albert Cuyp Shopping route leads you to the largest and busiest market of the city. All the routes start at Dam Square and there are plenty of pubs and restaurants in case you need them.

WHERE TO STAY
The city of Amsterdam do not have any problems regarding number of accommodation options, they are in plenty. Older buildings do not have permission to install elevator and you should ask this before booking. Rooms with the canal view costs more, have good views, are more spacious, and have better facilities. Most of the budget accommodation options fill quickly during July and August and you should plan accordingly.

WHERE TO EAT
Amsterdam has a rich culture of enjoying cuisine from all corners of the world in its arsenal of restaurants. Being the capital of a trading nation, the tastes here universal and in any conversion about eating, cuisine is given more importance than the place of eating. Local specialties include Hutspot and Pannekoeken topped with sugar or fruit as a desert or with meats and cheeses as a main course. Amsterdam is also known for its excellent Indonesian cuisine and more than anything else you should try the Indonesian feast called Rijsttafel.

TRAVEL INFORMATION
Air Travel Resources
Amsterdam is one of the easiest cities in the world to get into. There are direct flights from all parts of the world. Even if some airlines is not connected to the city, many of them would give you free side trip. If you are reaching Amsterdam directly, then your entry point would be Schiphol Aiport, 20-minute away from the city city centre by train. Taxis provide the easiest escape from the airport to your hotel.

Land and Water
Long distance buses and trains connect Amsterdam with London, Paris, The Hague, Rottredam, and Amersfort. Centraal is the main railway station of Amsterdam connected to many places in neighbouring countries. Eurail passes are valid in Netherlands including Amsterdam. Ferry services to London are also available.

Local Transport
There are trams, trains, buses, and taxis that complete the public transport system in Amsterdam. Cycling is quite a popular way of moving around in Amsterdam and cycling tracks have been constructed throughout the city. A boat ride on the canals is a good way of appreciating the city architecture.

TRAVEL RESOURCES
Tourist Office
Amsterdam Tourist Board
De Ruyterkade 5 Amsterdam

VVV Amsterdam kantoor Centraal Station
Stationsplein (spoor 2) 15 Amsterdam

VVV Schiphol/Holland Tourist Information (HTI) Aankomstpassage,
Schiphol Plaz 40 Schiphol Amsterdam

Hospital
Academisch Medisch
Centrum Meibergdreef 9
Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gashuis
Eerste Oosterparkstraat 179 1e

Bank and Money Exchange
American Express
Damrak 66

American Express
Van Baerlestraat 39