Amsterdam
Imagine that all the best features
of the cities of Europe and North America could be combined
into one and you will most likely conjure up a place like
Amsterdam. Here you can find world-class museums, featuring
works from artists like Rembrandt van Rijn and Vincent van
Gogh; romantic, winding canals; interesting classical and
modern architecture; rows of shops, boutiques, and markets
selling everything from diamonds to clothing to antiques;
lush parks and flower gardens; and a nightlife filled with
every type of dance, theater, and musical genres. The beauty
of Amsterdam is that all of its highlights are packed into
a rather small stretch of land, making it ideal for touring
either by foot or by bicycle.
With the damming of the Amstel River
at the end of the 12th century, the city of Amsterdam was
born. From that grew a series of canals, upon which residents
in the Middle Ages traveled and traded their wares. After
the reform-minded Dutch gained independence from the devoutly
Catholic Spain, Amsterdam thrived, serving as the hub for
the Dutch trading empire, which stretched as far as Asia
and South America. It was also during this "Golden
Age" in the 16th and 17th centuries when Amsterdam
was home to the likes of Rembrandt, thus securing its place
in history as an art mecca. Indeed, the city prospered early,
with elaborately gabled guild houses being built along the
canals and fine theaters and galleries cropping up throughout
the town. This cultural explosion, plus the opportunity
for work and the promise of freedom from religious persecution
convinced many Dutch, as well as many Europeans, to relocate
to this mini-metropolis.
Inevitably, Amsterdam's star faded, as
European cities like Paris and Berlin competed for premier
stature in the business and cultural arena. But, rather
than rejoin the race, Amsterdam has blossomed on its own
terms, still remaining a vibrant, though small, city. Throughout
it all, Amsterdam has continued its commitment to tolerance,
having been a haven for Jewish families and other minorities
during World War II, and serving as residence to many hippies
and draft-dodgers during the turbulent sixties. No matter
what your reason is for choosing to go to Amsterdam, you
will no doubt be greeted with open arms.
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