Added: 01/12/2006 |
Travel to Amsterdam - Culture, history, art, ambience and many attractionsThere is not a traveler alive who has walked the cobblestone streets of Amsterdam or gazed out on it many canals and not felt something stir deep inside their hearts and minds. Culture, history, and art just scratch the surface of what this city has to offer. Amsterdam is one of Europe's most popular cities. Nowhere in the world will you find as many places of interest per square meter as in this city and its stunning surroundings. Travel to Amsterdam and enjoy one of the greatest "small" cities in the world. From its canals to world-famous museums, travel to Amsterdam makes for one of the most romantic and beautiful adventures you can have in Europe.
Amsterdam smirks when it hears the nickname "The Venice of the North" placed on its brow. Venice? Get real! The comparison with St. Mark's Square and the Grand Canal ends at the water line. Amsterdam is so much more. The city came up with its own solution to flooding thanks to the layout of its architecture: as the city had to be reclaimed from marshland. All the buildings, even the canal banks, had to be built on wooden stilts. Amsterdam is an underwater forest! However, in contrast to St. Mark's Square, here the stilts are protected against rot as an ingenious irrigation system ensures that the wood is kept permanently under water and does not decay.
When talking about travel to Amsterdam, one can only hope that this Dutch jewel with so much to offer will be around for a long time yet. Picturesque canals dot the city noted for artists from Rembrandt to Mondrian.
Amsterdam's progressive society and "soft drug" laws mean a visit to the city's many coffeehouses or the Red-Light District is practically an obligation for tourists. Whether you go to look around or enjoy some of what is offered, you can do so knowing that travel to Amsterdam puts you in touch with a city of tolerance and diversity. It has all the advantages of a big city: culture, entertainment, international restaurants and efficient transport. Yet at the same time benefits from being relatively small, quiet and -- largely thanks to its canals -- has a little road traffic.
To be sure, in Amsterdam your destination is never far away! Are you planning to travel to Amsterdam and to spend some time in the city and its surroundings? Upon arrival, visit one of the information offices run by the Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board, and learn all about Amsterdam vacation rentals and other good holiday packages.
With a keen eye geared to tourism, Amsterdam has several information offices and kiosks located in and around the city center where visitors can find up-to-date information about Amsterdam's many tourist offerings such as museums, events, festivals, sightseeing and more. It only stands to reason that your trip to Amsterdam will be even more enjoyable if you are well prepared and know what is happening in and around the city. In addition, your stay will be cheaper if you know where to stay, eat, sleep and party.
A wide variety of Amsterdam vacation rentals are geared to every imaginable budget and range from modern, state-of-the-art hotels to charming, old canal-front apartments. The most popular accommodations are usually located in Amsterdam's city center and not far from the historic canal district. Restaurants, shopping, historic sites and charming cafes are within easy walking distance.
Inexpensive flights from all over Europe and direct flights from abroad are easy to book, serving Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport which proudly boasts being Europe's fourth largest airport (and located just a few kilometers from down town).
Amsterdam's easy accessibility benefits from it being criss-crossed by canals, a rail system and of course the sea. Traveling to Amsterdam by ferryboat or cruise makes perfect sense thanks to the ever-present proximity to the sea. Especially if you're traveling from the United Kingdom and Scandinavia. Scandinavian Seaways connects to Amsterdam at various points that make traveling easy. All locations offer ferryboat and holiday cruise services for those looking for an alternative approach to the city.
Bus and train connections are a breeze from Europe's big cities. None lasting any longer than 3 to 6 hours max. Also by rail, you will find Holland's other popular tourist sites are no more than 3 hours away if that. Rail passes are available at travel agencies and via the Internet. Due to the ease of travel, it is a good to make reservation in advance. Nothing worse than too much spontaneity to ruin your plans.
And last but not least, international buses make daily connections at the bus station down town. Travel routes have been thoughtfully planned out so no matter which directly you are coming from you will easily find yourself downtown at trip's end.
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