The city of Amsterdam has many different faces, which it shows at different times. Known by all to be the cultural capitol of Holland and having, with its beautiful canals running through the city centre, earned itself the honorary name of "the Venice of the Netherlands", it attracts, and keeps attracting, travelers from all over the world. Why not, with more than 700 years of often tumultuous history behind it, Amsterdam has evolved into a melting pot of cultures and sub-cultures, bringing people from different backgrounds together to form a rather unique and distinctly urban environment that has something to offer to everyone.



Amsterdam is not only buildings and paintings in. All around the world the city is known for its inhabitant's tolerant attitude toward soft drugs and prostitution. These controversial elements of city life, always mentioned in a single breath, arousing excitement in some and nervousness in others, are taken less seriously by locals. It is this laid-back attitude that feeds and sustains the easy-going atmosphere of life in Amsterdam so often remarked upon by those who have spent time in the city, whether or not they have bothered to delve into the regions in question.



Then there is the nightlife, without which Amsterdam would not be what it is or what it represents - the pubs in the alleys, the clubs on the squares, the Concertgebouw with its famous acoustics, comedy clubs where the Dutch let Americans make fun of them, restaurants with delicacies from every corner of the world - it is all present, and all of it easily reachable with an excellent public transportation system.



During the day - all week through, including on Sundays - Amsterdam offers its visitors ample opportunity for shopping. Though not widely known, but certainly true that, in this area, Amsterdam competes with cities like London, Paris and Milan, one of the differences being that Amsterdam has more to offer to those with less to spend.


The city of Amsterdam has many different faces, to be sure. But smile at any one of them, and all of them will smile back at you.




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