Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is a city steeped in history, culture and vibrant modern life. Originally a small fishing village in the 12th century, Amsterdam rapidly grew into a major port and commercial hub during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, becoming one of the world’s foremost centers for finance, trade and art. Its’ iconic canal ring was largely constructed during this period, shaping the city’s distinctive layout and charm.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is renowned for its cultural diversity and tolerance. Historically, it became a refuge for persecuted religious groups, including Sephardic Jews, Huguenots and Armenians, who contributed to the city’s rich cultural fabric and economic prosperity. This spirit of openness continues today, with a multicultural population and progressive social policies including regulated sex work and soft drug use.
Amsterdam also boasts a lively arts scene with theaters, music venues and festivals reflecting its historical and contemporary creativity. This was a holographic image in a shop window that changed as you walked past, necessitating a double take. You have to appreciate the dutch humor.
The city’s architecture ranges from historic canal houses to modern designs, offering a picturesque yet dynamic urban experience.
Amsterdam’s economy historically thrived on trade, particularly in goods like beer and herring, and later expanded into finance and art markets during its Golden Age.
Today, it remains an important European financial center while also being a major tourist destination celebrated for its canals, museums, and vibrant neighborhoods like Jordaan and De Pijp.
Amsterdam is a city where history and modernity blend seamlessly. It’s a unique and enchanting destination for visitors from around the world. You have to be very aware of the bicycles because they have the right of way and don’t stop for tourists. It can be downright frightening.
Rijksmuseum
The city’s cultural scene is world-class, home to numerous museums such as the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Anne Frank House, which attract millions of visitors annually.
Located at the Museumplein in Amsterdam South, the Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands dedicated to Dutch art and history. It houses an impressive collection of about 8,000 objects on display from a total of nearly one million items, spanning from the year 1200 to 2000. The museum’s highlights include masterpieces by legendary Dutch painters such as Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer and Frans Hals, making it a cornerstone for understanding the Dutch Golden Age of art.
The museum’s current main building, designed by Pierre Cuypers, opened in 1885 and underwent a major renovation that was completed in 2013 at a cost of €375 million. This restoration preserved the stunning Gothic interiors and enhanced the visitor experience. The Rijksmuseum is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and tickets cost around €20. Booking a time slot in advance is recommended to avoid long waits, but once inside, visitors can explore at their own pace and typically spend 2-3 hours soaking in the art and history. The restaurant was delicious.
They have a free app that downloads to the phone and explains the history behind every piece of artwork.
You could spend a lot of time just in this one museum.
NH Collection Amsterdam Flower Market
We chose this hotel because it was well rated and easy walking distance to the Rijksmuseum and some of the major sites we wanted to see around Amsterdam. The room was comfortable with a nice view of the city. Their morning buffet was abundant and delicious.
Next door to the hotel is the flower market.
It was tulip season, so there there tulips everywhere. From here we boarded our Uniworld riverboat, The River Duchess, for our 3 week cruise along the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers traveling through 6 countries eventually taking us to Bucharest, Romania.
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