Travel Guides > Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam Travel

Amsterdam has long been a resilient country. Once the center of the 17th century seaborne trade and the fishing industry, this country was, for a long time, at the top of its game. But World War II changed all of that in 1940 when Germany invaded the Netherlands and severely damaged Amsterdam's economy. But the strong Netherlanders rebuilt and went on.

Amsterdam is the fourth most visited city in Europe and it's easy to see why this city of 165 canals and 1,200 bridges is so popular. The attractions here are wonderful, the city is just stunning, and the people (most of who speak English) are just about the friendliest in Europe, always eager to strike up a conversation or give you directions.

Many will point you to what they believe is the finest museum in their country, the Rijksmuseum. Deemed Amsterdam's "treasure trove," this art museum owns 7 million pieces as part of its permanent collection! Here, you'll find the largest amassing of pieces by the Dutch Masters, like Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Vermeer. (Parts of this museum are closed for renovations until 2008.)

Another art museum, the Van Gogh Museum, is exactly what it appears to be - a wonderful collection of more than 200 works by Vincent Van Gogh. The display is spectacular and is also accompanied by some additional 19th century works by the likes of Gaugain and Toulouse-Latrec.

Older Amsterdam residents will be pleased to have the opportunity to speak with you about the turbulent war years of the 1940s and will no doubt point you towards the Anne Frank House. Opened as a museum in 1960, this is where Anne and her family hid for more than two years and where the young girl penned her famous diary.

The Maritime Museum (Scheepvaartmuseum) allows visitors a look back at Amsterdam's golden years as the center of trade in Europe and their ongoing ties to the fishing industry and the sea in general. Be sure to visit the old ships docked here along the waterfront that are part of the museum as well.

For a fun, light-hearted tour, visit the Heineken Experience. This famous manufacturer of beer offers tourists a chance to take the "bottle ride" on a moving platform and see what it's like to be a Heineken bottle making its way through the factory. Stop for a taste at the end of the tour!

Sometimes described as the "Venice of the North," Amsterdam is full of charming canals on which visitors can enjoy a grand tour of the city or just a leisurely ride at sunset. The Museum Boat can provide an easy way to get from one museum to the next.