 Amsterdam is situated in the west of Holland and is a major world destination boasting outstanding cultural and family-type attractions and a sublime nightlife. The city contains some of the world's foremost museums and galleries, where the Dutch masters Rembrandt and Van Gogh are revered, while stunning landmarks, busy canals and numerous ancient gabled houses add further ambience to this amazing city.
Amsterdam is rated as the fourth most important tourist hotspot in Europe after Paris, London and Rome. It is as cosmopolitan and liberal as cities come and is visited by millions of foreigners and Dutch alike as well as playing host to a many important international business conferences.
The city is fairly compact, flat and easy to get about on foot, while the many canals, especially in the old city, make the city unique and pleasant for walking and bicycle riding. Outstanding attractions include the house where Anne Frank hid during WWII, the Rijksmuseum, Rembrandt House and the red light district.
Shopping, dining and entertainment options are diverse and attractive, with Leidsestraat offering countless smart department stores and jewellery shops and restaurants in every category, including five-star dining aboard a cruise boat. Meanwhile, the clubs and bars around the red light district and the Jordaan area will keep even the fussiest night owl happy.
 Amsterdam also boasts many beautiful parks and gardens where quiet walks and bicycle rides can be enjoyed, along with a host of sporting activities. Tourist offices can be found in several locations throughout the city and offer tourists up-to-date information on Amsterdam, including travel-related information, sightseeing options and details on festivals and events.
 There is a huge choice of hotels in Amsterdam, ranging from five-star luxury hotels with all the trimmings to simple two-star lodgings; every budget is catered for. Central hotels are all within walking distance of the city's major highlights, while the hotels along the canals and in the museum quarter are also popular areas in which to stay. Hotels should be booked well in advance, especially in the summer and around the Queen's birthday, with the best rates and choices available via online booking services.
The Dutch are among the friendliest people in the world; they are tolerant, well-mannered, neat and easy going. Most Dutch people speak English, so getting by without knowing the Dutch language is no problem, although it will be well received if you make the effort to learn a few words. Amsterdam residents are particularly known for their tolerance and enjoy having a good time, with any excuse for a party.
History
 As far as other major European cities go, Amsterdam is relatively young, founded as it was in the 13th century, when the town of Amstelerdam was established with the construction of a dam on the river Amstel. Trade soon kicked off and the 14th century onwards saw the new city prosper.
Many wealthy Jewish families from Spain and Portugal set up home in Holland after the Dutch War of Independence with Spain in the 16th and 17th centuries, while the Huguenots from France also settled in Amsterdam.
The Dutch were heavily into shipbuilding by the 17th century and they started to expand their empire to places in Africa, Brazil, Indonesia and Malaysia. Amsterdam soon became the world's most important port and with the construction of the city canals and the emergence of Rembrandt, it became a prominent European city.
Amsterdam began to decline in the 18th and 19th centuries after Holland's conflicts with England and France. This deeply affected trade and it wasn't until the end of the 19th century that the Industrial Revolution took hold in Holland and lifted Amsterdam once more. The city's waterways were improved, which increased trade with the rest of Europe and the world, although not to the extent of the golden days of the 17th century.
 WWII was a hard time for Amsterdam, with the Nazi occupation of the country and the subsequent removal of Holland's large Jewish community. After the war, the city's tourism trade became one of Amsterdam's biggest earners, due largely to the city's soft tolerance to drugs and prostitution, which attracted hippies and visitors from far and wide during the 1960s. Despite some social unrest among following generations, the swearing in of Queen Beatrix and a look at the city's social problems has today turned Amsterdam into a model society.
Weather
 Amsterdam's climate can be considered temperate and continental, with the city often experiencing the same winds and rains that Britain and Ireland experience, while also experiencing hot summer flushes that are more common in the likes of Orleans in central France.
May to early September is the best time to visit Amsterdam, with July and August receiving the hottest weather and June offering the best of both worlds, with warm weather, fewer tourists and cheaper accommodation. However, the weather is still quite variable in the summer months, with sudden showers sometimes blowing in from the North Sea. Spring and autumn have changeable weather, while the wintertime is the coldest and wettest season. Bring a warm coat, scarf and umbrella if you plan to visit at this time of the year, as the city's canals are host to strong gusts of icy winds.
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