There are many reasons to travel to Amsterdam. It's the capital of the Netherlands and one of Europe's most vibrant and colourful cities. Amsterdam offers an unparalleled combination of high culture and decadence.

Look once and it's a pretty European city laced with canals; twice and it becomes a cultural centre with an incredible collection of art and for a third time you see a decadent party town where anything goes.
So which one is the real Amsterdam? The romantics will adore the lazy curves of the city's waterways and enjoy watching from cafés in cobbled streets or picturesque bridges as the mood of the city changes with the weather.

The culture-hungry will soak up the offerings of the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh and Stedelijk museums along with hundreds of smaller collections dotted all over the city. Amsterdam satisfies a wide range of tastes and displays include everything from the best Dutch Masters to ultra-modern exhibitions.
Then there are the alternative delights which draw their own crowd - some seeking the pleasure of De Wallen or De Walletjes (the notorious Red Light District) and others attracted by the liberal attitude towards soft drugs sold in the city's "coffeeshops". For those who are curious but not tempted to indulge, a stroll through De Wallen in the evening is still likely to be an illuminating experience albeit a bit seedy.

In truth the city is a kaleidoscopic mixture of all these things, where you can take as much or as little of each to create your own unique experience of Amsterdam

What could be more enchanting than discovering Amsterdam by its most famous transport system. Canal tours might not be the quickest way, but are undeniably enjoyable when you want to sit back, relax and enjoy some of Europe's greatest architectural gems.
Routes vary but most canal tour companies cover Amsterdam's most famous landmarks such as Anne Frank's House, Rijksmuseum and Centraal Station. Canal Bus offers 3 routes illustrated by a colour coded board at the front of the boat. Operational hours are from 10h00 to 18h00 with the Green Line touring until 19h30. A Canal Bus Day Pass costs EUR18 and is valid until 12h00 the next day.
On a more active note, it is also possible to discover these amazing and sometimes bustling canals with the power of your own legs by renting a pedalo. Cycling at your own pace and making your own itinerary, pedalos are great fun and enable you to catch some sun however it is important to bring back the pedalo on time otherwise extra charges will be applied.