Amsterdam

Amsterdam, a city of one million people, hosts more than six million international visitors annually. It started as a fishing village in the 12^th century and is today the vibrant capital of the Netherlands. The city’s buildings are supported by 11 million wooden poles.  Amsterdam is notable for the cheap and easy access from Schiphol Airport to the city. Amsterdam is an easy city to get around, especially by bicycle, tram and metro, but is probably most famous for its busy canals, 165 of which crisscross the city. Just walking along the canals past the old buildings is a day well spent. They even hold parades on the canals.

  The city is also notable for its cosmopolitan flavor, with 180 nationalities, and its nightlife and diverse restaurants, especially Indonesian, reflecting its colonial past.  Major attractions are the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House (get tickets in advance).