Tell people you're going to Amsterdam
and there's a fair chance they'll either
sigh with envy or give you a sly nod.
The city's reputation for tolerance
laced with sin precedes it, but equally
renowned are its scenic and cultural
attractions. Additionally, Amsterdam's
hotels are known for their cleanliness
and hospitality, its restaurants offer
world cuisine, and along the city
streets is a shopper's paradise. Most
visitors fall in love with the city and
return again and again.
Amsterdam is nourished by a wealth of
museums, concert halls, and avant-garde
theater and dance venues. Its relaxed
and tolerant attitudes draw those
looking for a creative, anything-goes
atmosphere. Large numbers of beautiful
tree-lined canals are bordered by
streets with rows of narrow, gabled
houses and 17th-century warehouses,
making Amsterdam an architectural
treasure-house. With 750,000 inhabitants,
Amsterdam is much smaller (but no less
interesting) than many European capitals.
As a result, much of the city center can
be comfortably explored on foot -- or,
if you want to look like a true local,
by bicycle.