Essence
Author: Anothertravelguide.com0 COMMENTS
Amsterdam is one of the most tolerant European cities: it is tolerant of everything and everyone. The weather is very inconsistent due to the geographical position and it often rains here; besides, one of the trademarks of the city is its unique system of canals. Perhaps all of the above are the reason it sometimes feels as if Amsterdam really believed that water would wash away all the superfluous, all exaggerations and all waste.
Amsterdam is cosy, charming and, at the same time, quite discreet: showing off your material prosperity just isn't the done thing in this city. Not even on PC Hooftstraat, the main shopping street in Amsterdam. And it seems that whenever it's sunny all life takes place on the street: on the canal-side, in parks, squares, cosy little yards and on terraces.The story of Amsterdam started in the 13th century: the legend has it that the city was founded thanks to two Frisian fishermen - and their dog - who landed their boat on the shore of the river Amstel. There are 165 canals and 1281 bridges, 51 museums (and Museumplein, a whole neighbourhood of museums), 141 art galleries, 55 theatres and concert halls in Amsterdam. Some 40 theatre performances take place daily. Amsterdam is dominated by 16th - 18th century architecture, and yet it boasts the highest concentration of modern architecture in Europe - and some of the quirkiest accommodations you will have encountered anywhere in the world (unless, of course, you choose to avail of one of the traditional chain hotels). A converted prison (Hotel Lloyd) and orphan asylum (Hotel Arena), a former and still existing school (Hotel College), a hotel where each room is dedicated to a different philosopher (Hotel de Filosoof), a botel - floating hotel on a boat in one of the city canals (Water Home), a tiny four-room hotel that owes its existence to the fact that its owners fell in love with a 1860 building so passionately that they decided to personally oversee the smallest details of the renovation and conversion work (Federik Park House), etc.
One more thing: Amsterdam is best seen and enjoyed on a bike - honestly, it's a completely different city that way. There are no restrictions; you can change your route whenever the mood strikes you. You are free to act on impulse, follow any whim. According to statistics, there are 600 000 bicycles and 220 000 trees in Amsterdam.
Reviewed by Una Meistere, Andrejs Žagars
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