I Want to Visit

Amsterdam provides an excellent beginning for exploring The Netherlands, a country just as eclectic as its famous capital. Amsterdam emerged from the sea created literally by its inhabitants. The Dutch say that though God created the world, they created The Netherlands, a country which is a masterful design of engineering. Since most of it is below sea level, vigorous pumping methods along with many dikes were used to create the dry land thus making civilization possible. The beautiful lush green terrain remains and is surrounded on all sides by canals lined with elegant gabled houses that lean over the streets as if trying to glimpse their reflections in the canal waters. Today Amsterdam's myriad of dikes and canals remains a true testament to the devine architectural genius of the Dutch people.

The public transportation system is wonderful within Amsterdam which includes the trams, buses, and the metro or subway. In addition, the rail network is very extentsive from Central Station which is the public transportation hub of the Netherlands. There are seven stations just in Amsterdam alone, Station Zuid World Trade Center, Station RAI, and Amstel Station in the south of the city, Station Lelylaan, Station De Vlugtlaan, and Station Sloterdijk in the west and Muiderpoort Station in the east. Because the transportation system is so highly integrated, all of the railway stations are served by at least two other modes of transportation as well, ie., trams, buses,ect. The Netherlands rail system is the most punctual in all of Europe and it is by far the best way to get to and from Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, Haarlem, Zandvoort, and all other destinations in and around the Netherlands.

Climate

The proximity of the sea and the warm North Atlantic Gulf Stream ensure a temperate maritime climate which provides adequate if not substantial rainfall amounts annually. This causes a changeable but moderate climate allowing for mild winters and nice cool summers for the long summetime nights. While clouds and wind are quite common features in the forecast, the weather in the Netherlands is usually unpredictable.

Things to do when visiting Amsterdam:

Canal Tour
Windmill Sightseeing
Diamond Factory
Boom Chicago Comedy House
Casa Roso Show
Cheese Factory Tour
Albert Cuyp Market
Waterlooplein Flee Market

Popular Amsterdam Attractions

Anne Frank House
Museum features the hide-out of a young Jewish girl persecuted by the Germans in World War II

Stedelijk Museum
Amsterdam's modern art museum

Rijksmuseum
The main museum for Dutch masters - Rembrandt, Vermeer, ect.

Van Gogh Museum
The most important collection of Vincent van Gogh's paintings

Jewish Historical Museum
Museum about the history of Jews in Amsterdam