The quaint city of Amsterdam is one of the most visited cities in Europe, particularly popular for a weekend away or a short break. Once an important port and a historic centre for diamond trading, it has the oldest stock exchange in the world. Its cobbled streets, canals, museums, historic architecture and café culture make it a unique place to experience. It is very easy to get to by train, ferry or by air and the compact city centre is easy to get around on foot, bicycle or by tram. The I-Amsterdam Card gives unlimited trips on public transport and free entry to some museums.
The streets of Amsterdam are lined with tall narrow 15^th century gabled houses, many of which still have hooks beneath the eaves which are used for hauling furniture in and out of the windows! There are five semi-circles of canals in the city, linked by 160 small waterways and a boat trip is a great way to see some of the finest houses and monuments in Amsterdam.
The oldest building in this lovely city is the Oude Kerk or Old Church, dating back to 1306. It has a carillon of bronze bells which play every hour. The equally famous Rijksmuseum has more than 150 rooms of Old Masters on display and the Van Gogh Museum has an excellent collection of modern art. On a more historic theme, the Anne Frank Museum tells the story of life as a Jewish family during World War 2.
Restaurants in Amsterdam serve international cuisine at prices similar to London. There are many outdoor cafés which serve coffee or brewed beer. They also legally sell up to 5 grams of soft drugs to buyers over the age of 18. However, importing, exporting and selling drugs are still serious offences.