(Image: © Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions 2004).

Amsterdam is a charming city with tree-lined canals, art-filled museums and a social scene that is as welcoming as it is unexpected!

Amsterdam started out as a little fishing village in the late 12th century and it wasn't long until it was given city title in 1300. It was built at the mouth of the River Amstel, where a dam was formed and so the city was called "Amsteldam", later becoming "Amsterdam". The city is located in the west of Holland on the south shore of the North Sea Canal and because of this location it is now a thriving seaport and a popular stop-off for cruise ships.

There's so much history to uncover in this city. It claims to be one of the largest historic city's in Europe as it has about 7,000 historic buildings that are registered! And because the city has suffered no major damage during WWI, much of the streetscape has remained the same since the early 19th century.

Amsterdam is famous for its canals which are an excellent example of 17th century urban development. You could say that Amsterdam is a floating city as it consists of over 90 islands which are linked by over 400 bridges!

We think that one of the best things about Amsterdam is that the main attractions (Dam Square, Museum Quarter, Anne Frank’s House) are within a relatively easy walking distance of most city centre hotels.

Amsterdam is also a popular destination for conferences and trade fairs, many of which are held at the RAI complex on the southside of the city, which is one of the busiest conference and exhibition facilities in the world!

Amsterdam is of course known for its cycle-friendly network so we can recommend that a gentle bit of peddling is a great way to see the city. Add in the fact that the locals are both laid back and friendly and you’ll find there’s much more to Amsterdam than clogs and tulips!