Northern Europe Discover canals, windmills, antiquarian bookstores, brown and chic cafes, but also treasures such as the Jewish Historical Museum, the Rembrandt House Museum, and the modern Stedelijk Museum. Between dips into artistic and historic treasures, take time to simply absorb the freewheeling spirit of this vibrant city.
Cruise the Canals
Board a glass-topped tour boat for a cruise on Amsterdam's storied canals. From this vantage point, you get the best possible view of all those gabled Golden Age merchants' houses.
Visit the Anne Frankhuis
The clear and haunting words of a young Jewish girl trying to survive and grow in unimaginable circumstances have moved millions since they were first published in the aftermath of World War II. It's a melancholy but unforgettable experience to spend a reflective moment in Anne Frank's stark hideout from Nazi terror.
Buy flowers at the Flower Market
The vast array of flowers and potted plants in their "floating" home on the Singel canal comprises the city's largest and most colorful plant assortment.
Try a Rijsttafel
Dutch settlers in the East Indies created the banquet-style "rice table." Comprising from 10 to 30 little dishes, some as fiery as rocket exhaust, a rijsttafel is a great introduction to Indonesian cuisine.
Meet Van Gogh: Van Gogh Museum
The world's largest collection of Vincent's works is housed here -- some 200 paintings and 500 drawings -- ranging from Sunflowers to earless self-portraits. Here, you can trace this great, tragic painter's artistic and psychological development.
