Most people would arrive in Amsterdam via the central train station, either from a train from Schipol airport, other European destinations or one of the many coaches that bring daily visitors from many of the North Sea Ferries.

The first thing you will see on the exit doors of the station will be the now famous Amsterdam trams, boat tours a bit further on and to the right, a cycle park that must contain a half a million bikes. Three things associated with Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is in the process of building an underground train system to make travelling around the city even easier. This does mean that that on main streets and in front of the central station, building is in process, which spoils some of the first impressions at this point, but in a few years time when it is finished I am sure it will be worth it.

Carrying on up the main street from the station you will arrive at the Dam. Many years ago, it used to hold ships that came directly up the canals to trade with the city. But now it is more like a city square with the town hall and Madame Tussaud