Amsterdam

Posted - July 3, 2017

Known as the “Venice of the North,” Amsterdam sits three feet below sea level and has more than 100 canals and 1,100 bridges. Small houseboats and floating flower shops line the canals. Bicycles are everywhere – an estimated 750,000 of them. There are even special “bicycle parking only” garages.
 
To truly get the feel of the city, it is best to walk along its major avenues, narrow cobblestone streets and canals. At night the scene is especially romantic, as Amsterdam’s many bridges become aglow with lights and waterways reflect images of the tightly knit buildings lining them. Be sure to duck into one of the many “brown cafes” to sample the ale.
 
A canal boat tour is one of the most enjoyable ways to see the city’s 17th-century merchants’ houses, bridges, church spires, houseboats and locks. But with a selection of at least 40 museums and art galleries, one cannot overlook Amsterdam’s cultural side. Of particular interest is the Rijksmuseum, which houses a great variety of art collections, including the Dutch Masters Rembrandt and Vermeer. The Van Gogh Museum, which has dedicated an entire floor to the master, is another must-see. Be sure to also make time for a sightseeing stop at Anne Frank’s House and Museum.
 
If you’re fortunate enough to be in the Netherlands during its eight weeks of Tulip Time, you will undoubtedly enjoy an excursion southward to the 70-acre Keukenhof Gardens. This is one of the most impressive public gardens in the world, with more than seven million tulips of every size and color, along with sculptures and other works of art in exotic outdoor displays and within the massive glass pavilion.
 
In the Netherlands, culture and art flourish and friendliness prevails. And you’re never far from a scenic byway.