Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM Area: Netherlands Location: In N Holland province, 33 miles NE of The Hague, 38 miles N of Rotterdam; 9 miles NE of Schiphol Airport with frequent trains to Amsterdam Central Station. Telephone code from UK: 31 20 Website: http://www.visitamsterdam.nl Position: Built on 90 islands on the S side of the River Ij at its confluence with the River Amstel, forming a long inlet at the SW corner of Ijsselmeer (inland sea). Connected to the North Sea by ship canal. Description: This major port must be one of the most interesting cities in the world. It has over 7,000 protected buildings _ many of them elegant 17th-century merchants' houses _ and 40 museums, combined with a unique and lively nightlife. Criss-crossed with canals which have more than 1,000 bridges, it has a very attractive, compact centre and an atmosphere more like that of a provincial town. In the early 13th century, Giesebrecht II and III of Amstel built a castle near this former fishing hamlet and dammed up the sea _ hence its name. By the 17th century it was the source of Dutch commercial and naval power, the centre of the Dutch East India (1602) and West India (1621) companies and Europe's richest city. It was connected by a 17-mile canal to the North Sea in 1875. An ancient tax on the width of buildings explains the tall, narrow constructions. Some even slant forwards to allow furniture to be hoisted up. The city's 700,000 inhabitants have a famously liberal attitude to drugs and sex. Prostitutes, who pay taxes, can be seen openly in shop windows, and "coffee shops" (take note if you just want a cappuccino) sell marijuana legally. Do not be put off by these aspects if they do not interest you; they are easily avoided and Amsterdam is a very safe and friendly city. The focal point of the city is Dam Square. Leidseplein is another bustling square of shops, restaurants and bars _ not dissimilar to London's Leicester Square _ which attracts plenty of tourists. The Jordaan district is particularly good for exploring, with its narrow shopping streets and charming courtyards. Reminders of the days of the Golden Age are everywhere _ in the layout of the city, its unique architecture, extensive canal system and masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh. Suitability: Younger crowds may enjoy the relaxed laws; art-lovers for the museums and galleries; couples for the sheer romance. Particularly attracts English and American visitors. Accommodation: Full range from luxurious to modest, from old-world charm to modern sophistication. Reservations advisable at any time, especially in tulip season (March_June). You will generally pay more for a canalside spot. Shopping: Excellent, with convenience and variety. Fashionable PC Hooftstraat; popular pedestrianised de Kalverstraat; lanes with innumerable small speciality stores; Cuypstraat, the oldest street market. Flower market. Magna Plaza is a pleasant shopping mall _ one of the few in the city. De Bijenkorf on the Dam is a hundred-year-old department store. Upmarket shops at Museumkwartier and Spiegelkwartier. Entertainments: Daytime: famous museums: Rijks (Dutch masters), Van Gogh and Stedelijk (modern art) are all in or near Museumplein square. Rembrandt's house, Anne Frank's house, Historische Museum. Royal palace, canal trips, diamond-polishing factories, Heineken brewery. Singel Canal's floating flower market. Spring and autumn flower shows. Walking tours (guide books from tourist office). Erotic museum and tours of red-light district. Madame Tussaud's. Nightlife: walks or boat trips along flood-lit canals. Rich offering of theatres (32), some with shows in English, cinemas (30) and concert halls (12) especially Concertgebouw and Muziektheater. Numerous clubs, discos and a thriving music scene. Bars, cabarets, famous red-light district and casino. More than 1,000 Bruine (brown) cafes _ traditional Dutch pubs. Eating: The Dutch are not known for their food, except perhaps pancakes. Fish features heavily on menus, and cheese or cabbage soup are local specialities. Over 700 restaurants, which tend to be intimate and characterful. A large number of Indonesian restaurants and Argentinian steakhouses. Chinese, tapas, Turkish, Lebanese, sushi and some international options. A particularly good selection in the Jordaan district. For a delicious, cheap snack have a falafel with serve-yourself salad like the locals. Public-transport: Excellent network of trams and buses, though the city is best explored on foot. Circle tram 20 stops at all the main tourist attractions. A pass allows unlimited travel on bus, tram and metro (four lines) for 1 to 9 days. Many locals ride bicycles, and these are widely available for hire _ although cycling on the roads can be dangerous. Water and regular taxis. Four ferry boats. Local-excursions: Half day: Edam and windmills; tulip fields (in season); Volendam and Marken. Full day: Aalmeer flower auction; The Hague and Delft; Alkmaar cheese market; Brussels and Antwerp. blissholidays.co.uk for Quality Holidays Book online for package holidays, city breaks, short breaks and family holidays at low , low prices.