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Netherlands - Amsterdam a beautiful and bold

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Amsterdam is a millennium was just a swamp where the Rhine overflowed into the North Sea. Today is one of the world's most dynamic metropolises. Cosmopolitan by tradition, Amsterdam is a city in turmoil, in art, architecture and culture. A rich historical heritage blends with the most avant-garde trends, which is why the capital of the Netherlands combines the exuberance of the great city with the graciousness of small town. The canals, bikes, beer and herring are some of the famous symbols of a place that falls intellectuals and bohemians.

The city still resembles in many respects to the village that the first inhabitants created by building dams to catch the river Amstel. Compared to other European capitals, Amsterdam is tiny, however, is the most cosmopolitan of all.

People worldwide coexists in a metropolitan line maintains the pattern of 1609, is no more than one set of islands divided into numerous channels and connected by bridges. Form a semicircle, with the Ij River on one side and the main channels extend out concentrically. It is this network of channels that spreads a pleasant setting of cobblestone streets and graceful houses, almost rustic architecture.

A urbanism dominated by narrow streets and bridges makes the bicycle mode of transport chosen a place that is also remarkably flat. One of the cards are numerous cafes, places of conviviality par excellence where abanca for a coffee, a light meal or simply to be and, for example, the famous beer drinking and taste a typical dish of herring. Of the more avant-garde to the secular, which resemble the "pubs" English, are a must for anyone who wants to penetrate the soul of the city.

The liberalization of soft drugs resulted in another type of coffee very characteristic of Amsterdam, the "Coffee Shops". Walk walk around town is a real dive in history. Your ex-libris is the heart of the city, which contains the untouched medieval Amsterdam. A boat ride through the canals is the most unforgettable experiences and a unique opportunity to admire bucolic scenery, where the architectural elegance combines with vast green spaces.

The presence of human communities in Amsterdam has only 800 years, which is not surprising considering that this was a marshy area.

In the twelfth century, the construction of dams and dikes allowed to settle the first communities. Its development is accelerating in the fourteenth century, when it begins to have a key role in trade between the North Sea and Baltic and Southeast Europe . The prosperity would eventually trigger the struggle for power between the emerging class of merchants and aristocrats Catholics. Reform was installed and the heart and mind of the new rich of Amsterdam are infected by Calvinism, which praised sobriety, hard work and sense of community.

In 1578, the Calvinists liberate the city from Spanish rule, and the following year Amsterdam and seven northern provinces to proclaim an independent republic, the Netherlands .

In the late sixteenth century, Amsterdam enters its golden age, during which heads the maritime trade and fisheries in Europe and focus on the adventure of colonization.

From 1800, the French occupation and the British blockade refer it to the mere role of the local market. Forced to turn back from the sea, is developed industrially, are established rail links, is invested in the steel industry and the population grows. The neutrality of the Netherlands spared his capital to the horrors of World War I, however, that neutrality was no longer possible to maintain the Second World War: in May 1940, the Nazis invaded the Netherlands.

During the occupation, the Jewish community of Amsterdam is almost entirely massacred, only 1 in 16 Jews of the city survive the war.

In May 1945, the city is finally released. In the post-war rebuilding quietly until, in the 60, awaken to the new times. It is the era of student protests and women's movements of anarchists, the "hippies". Amsterdam became the radical heart of Europe, where anything could happen. The legacy of that time still reflected today in Amsterdam, it is more peaceful but still tantalizingly cosmopolitan and liberal.

Historich Amsterdams Museum
This museum occupies a large portion of Medieval Amsterdam, but is in a mess of a maze of streets. Of its three entries, the most accessible is the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 359 which is also the best place to begin the tour. In a mild form, the museum explains the unique and exciting history of the city.

Rijksmuseum
It is one of the greatest art centers of Europe. The building that houses with their typical Dutch architecture adorned with gothic flourishes, vies for attention with the fabulous collection. Of early medieval art to Dutch masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals and Sten, passing yet to dollhouses and Asian art, there are many treasures to discover this magnificent museum.

Stedelijk Museum
Considered one of the best museums of modern art world, the Stedelijk gathers a precious collection of art ranging from 1850 to the present day. Terminates the best of contemporary art, including some of the most exciting and challenging artworks of Europe. It is worth walking through a museum where the very dynamic eclecticism and provocation are the watchword of his collection.

Van Gogh Museum
Open since 1973, brings together the best collection of the work of the legendary painter. About 200 paintings, among them some of the most famous creations of Van Gogh. Also form part of the estate of his drawings 500, 700 letters and 400 Japanese prints which the artist drew inspiration. Are various works of contemporary painter.

Ann Frank Huis
It was here that the Frank family lived moments of terror for two years. Very near the end of the war were discovered and deported. Only Otto Frank, Anne's father survived, the rest of the family perished in Nazi camps. When Otto returned home, one of the people who helped the family hide back at him Anne's diary was published. The house is a sanctuary for victims of World War II and, in particular, of Ann Frank and his message to the world.

The channels
There's nothing like admiring a boat Amsterdam. A fleet of about 100 tourist boats navigate through the romantic canals of the city, where you have the best view of the gracious homes of a thousand bridges and lawns that have spread by the water. A pleasant surprise is the houseboats of all shapes and sizes, moored on the banks of the canals. The custom of living on boats began at the end of World War II when the city offered a shortage of accommodation. Today there are around 4000 houseboats that adorn the channels.

Begijnhof
Dating from the fourteenth century, this quiet courtyard is an oasis of tranquility in the heart of Amsterdam energetic. Small and elegant houses are grouped around the green and well maintained yard. Begijnhof was once a kind of convent that housed single women and widows, who lived in comfortable homes while attending to the needy. One of the houses date from 1465, being the oldest and best preserved building of wood in the country.

Jordaan
This old quarter of workers is one of the most pampered of Amsterdam. In a tight web of streets and canals the visitor is surprised by a rich mix of architecture, intriguing shops, views and a dreamlike atmosphere of its own. The charm of the neighborhood is also due to the very large number of patios, hiding many of them magnificent restored homes and beautiful gardens .

The Red Zone
All cities have the equivalent of this Red Zone but there is nowhere equal to Amsterdam. While the practice of prostitution develops more or less disguised in other cities, here, the prostitutes display themselves in shop windows with light-colored rose. Particularly embarrassing for some, is a real tourist attraction for others. It is indeed an area of the underworld, which always arouses curiosity. Being also an interesting historical area of Amsterdam Medieval, worth a visit.

The ideal month to visit Amsterdam is May, when both the rain and the movement of tourists are less intense. June, July and August are fantastic in a city that seems to live outdoors, but has the drawback of the crowd of tourists. Between October and March the weather is downright bad, very cold and rain.

Apart from visits to museums and many historical treasures, there is plenty to do. Take long bike rides, which easily rent, or make "jogging" the many programs and green spaces are nice and very healthy. It always required a boat trip along the canals. The lively atmosphere of the cafes of Amsterdam invite long periods of idleness. A cultural program is always a "must" in a city with an enviable calendar of events.

The Aeroporto Schiphol, 18 kilometers from the city, has great connections with areas around the world. The train is also a great option to get there. The bike offers the most pleasant way to get around Amsterdam completely flat. In a city of canals, boats and "ferries" are an indispensable means to get almost everywhere.

For a good time in Amsterdam there are several options for staying, including advise: Hotel CitizenM .

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