ChatterBank1 min ago
What is there to see and do in Amsterdam
By Katharine MacColl
�
What makes Amsterdam special
It's the capital of Holland and has an amazing cosmopoiltan and creative air about it.
�
Why
Well, it has an indivuality about it, an exuberance and an air of the unexpected - living cheek-by-jowl with magnificent 17th and 18th century architecture.
�
What can you see
There are miles of beautiful tree-lined canals, everyone bobs about on bikes and there's a very relaxed feel about the city, which stems from the heart at Dam Square. There's loads more to Amsterdam than the Red Light district or cannabis cafe culture. Although it can be fun to wander through the Red Light district or hang out in one of the so-called 'brown' cafes in the city, there are also lots of museums well worth checking out.
�
Like what
First stop must be the Rijksmuseum, the country's
Van Gogh's Potato Eaters |
�
How do you get about
Cars are positively frowned upon in Amsterdam. It's one of the things which makes the city unique.
There's a very good public transport system and people get by on bikes and trams, and if you're a visitor, it's well worth hopping on a boat to check out the city from the water.
�
Any special time to go
Of course, it gets very busy during the summer - peak tourist and student season. If you're there about now and the canals freeze over, you're lucky because you might see a gruelling ice skating marathon on the canals. Or Queeen's Day on 30 April marks a day of street parties, live music and celebration.
�
OK, so how easy is it to get there
Schipol, the city's airport is only 11 miles away from the city. You can catch Eurostar via the Chunnel and there are loads of ferries operating from the south east of England to Holland.