Amsterdam, Netherlands

Answer 1

Every year millions of international travelers flock to Amsterdam, perhaps the most liberal city in the entire world. Nearly seven million inhabitants live in the area, making Amsterdam and the surrounding metropolitan area, collectively called the Randstad, the sixth largest in Europe. While the Dutch of the twenty-first century do not have quite as much international power or prestige as they enjoyed during the country’s 17th century Golden Age, Amsterdam is still by far the most important business and cultural center in the Netherlands.

Hundreds of years ago, the Dutch were pioneers of commerce, seafaring and finance; they basically invented banking as it is known today. In those days, long before today’s economic globalization was even an idea, the Netherlands served as a vital link between continental Europe and the countries of the Scandinavian peninsula. It still does so today, and Amsterdam is still a popular destination for business travel: the Amsterdam Stock Exchange is the oldest in the world, and seven of the world’s top 500 corporations are headquartered here. Along with corporate giants Philips and ING, many of the Netherlands’ institutions and government agencies are based here as well. Amsterdam is also known for its importance to the jewel business; Dutch companies control a substantial percentage of the world’s diamonds.

Arts and Entertainment

In popular culture Amsterdam is best known for its lax laws regarding adult entertainment like recreational drugs and prostitution. For some, the red light district and its numerous cannabis cafes offer romance of a sort, so long as a loose definition of romantic is used. If you visit the solely for these reasons, however, you’ll be missing out on some of the best things Amsterdam has to offer. If you’d rather avoid the more questionable activities, don’t worry, because they’re mostly confined to certain areas. For the more conventional, the city’s quaint, lovingly lit cobblestone streets and its picturesque and historic canal system offer a romantic ambiance to rival that of Venice itself.

This area has produced some of the western world’s most revered artwork from men like Rembrandt and Durer, as seen in the Rijksmuseum. More modern exhibits can be seen in the Stedelijk museum and the Amsterdam branch of Russia’s esteemed Hermitage museum. Vincent Van Gogh, one of the most famous men to ever call Amsterdam home, has an entire museum dedicated to his life and work. Travelers more interested in modern history than artwork would do well to schedule a trip to the Anne Frank museum for a look at one of the darker parts of Amsterdam’s past.

Food and Drink

Amsterdam is home to one of Europe’s most widely exported beers, Heineken, so be sure to pay a visit the brewery if you’re a fan. By all accounts, the Heineken served in Amsterdam’s bars is far superior to versions that have been subjected to bottling and International Shipping. The dining options here are nearly limitless; in such a vast city, almost every cuisine of the world is very well represented. Luxurious 4 and 5 star hotels account for almost half of Amsterdam’s lodgings, so there’s no shortage of opulent restaurants for the traveling gourmet. Simpler meals can also be had at the city’s open-air eateries, many of them with breathtaking waterfront views.

Answer 2

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, revolves around the appreciation of art. In fact, museums and galleries are the main tourist attraction here. Amsterdam is also the most historic city in the country. It is also well known for its beautiful canals, vivid displays of tulips in the spring, and of course the infamous Red Light District called de Wallen.

Two of Amsterdam’s museums are each dedicated to a well-known Dutch painter. The Van Gogh Museum may be the best representation of the city’s love of art. It holds several hundred of the famous artists paintings and drawings. Exhibits in Rembrandt House cover the entire life and career of this painter. The Rijksmuseum is known for its wonderful collection of the Dutch masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jan Steen, and Frans Hals.

The home where Anne Frank and her family were hidden from the Nazi’s during the time of their occupation is open to visitors. Her preserved diary is on display in the house.

The Amsterdam experience would not be complete without a visit to a windmill. There are eight located in the heart of the city.