Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Experience Amsterdam

The city’s name came from its origin as a dam of the river Amstel. It originated as a small fishing village in the 12th century. Amsterdam is now considered an alpha world city due to its international connectedness and is truly a hub for Europe in all directions. Amsterdam has literally been a haven for people from all walks of life over for centuries. As you walk the old cobblestone streets, you feel that international vibe. This is also a very liberal city which has its own appeal, especially for younger generations.  

 

Amsterdam was central to the World War II power struggle; they were occupied by Nazi Germany on April 10, 1940. Some of the city’s citizens sheltered Jews during this time, perhaps the most famous of which being Anne Frank and her family. Almost the entire city center has been or is still being restored since then due to the amount of disrepair the occupation caused.

 

Composed of a series of islands and a multitude of canals, Amsterdam is a uniquely beautiful destination to visit and tour.

  • Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age (17th century) a result of its innovative developments in trade. During that time, the city was the leading center for finance and diamonds in the 19th & 20th centuries.
  • The Amsterdam Stock Exchange is the oldest in the world.
  • The city has a population of over 800,000 while the metro area has over 1.5 million inhabitants.
  • Amsterdam is home to more than one hundred kilometers of canals. The three main canals are Prinsengracht, Herengracht and Keizersgracht, all three of which are navigable by boat.
  • It is often nicknamed the “Venice of the North” due to its division into approximately 90 islands, which are linked by more than 1,200 bridges.
  • The average daily summer temperature is 71 F degrees while the winter low is 23 F degrees.
  • There are over 4.5 million international visitors, excluding the 16 million day trippers visiting the city every year.
  • De Wallen, the red light district, is well known for its legal prostitution and access to drugs.
  • There are trams and multiple means of water transportation; driving in the city is discouraged.
  • Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-friendly large cities in the world. There are 249 miles of bike paths on the flat terrain.
  • Dutch and English are spoken.

There are a multitude of hotel options in the city. There is something to meet every financial, cultural and historical need. VoomaGo has worked with our network of Locals and partnered with a few vetted accommodations and options. When we’re building your trip with you, we can discuss the availability and right fit for your needs.

A day in Amsterdam…

There are many examples of interesting architecture from different historical eras but the oldest is the Oude Kerk (Old Church) at the heart of the Wallen, consecrated in 1306.  This is a must see along with Dam Square, the very center and heart of the city.

A boat tour of the canal system reveals its importance and prevalence in the city.  It is truly a beautiful feature of this place.

The Magere Burg or the “Skinny Bridge” is the bridge to see as it is the most famous of their 1,280 bridges.  Approximately every 20 minutes the bridge opens to let boats through.

There are so many museums to choose from, I take a day to peruse the very large Rijksmuseum (one of the largest and most interesting art museums in the world) and the very small Anne Frank House.

Experiences in Amsterdam

Historical Walk in Amsterdam: a Study in Contrasts view
Off-the-Beaten-Path with a Local in Amsterdam view