First class hydraulic system and excellent urban planning are characteristic of this area. It became extremely wealthy during the 17^th century and it prosperity was evident in the beauteous facades of the middle-class dwellings present here.

The three main canals that constitute the canal ring are The Princes’ Canal (Prinsengracht), The Emporer’s Canal (Keizersgracht) and The Gentlemen’s Canal (Herengracht). This area marks the development that Amsterdam had achieved even in the 17^th century.

In 17^th century Amsterdam served as the centre of trade and exchange. Influence of other cultures when it comes to civil engineering, town planning, architecture or technical and maritime developments is thus, evident in this area’s infrastructure.

Today canal area attracts a large number of tourists. It features shopping, dining, museums and many other attractions. If you are interested in knowing this area’s story in greater detail, visit some of the museums present here. It is bound to fascinate you.

The area has many sex shops and peep show bars, brothels, gay bars, cinemas, hotels and different kinds of museums. Though the area is infamous, yet it attracts millions of tourist each year who come to visit this part of Amsterdam which gets livelier as the night grows darker. One of the major attraction of this area are the famous windows (about 250) with sexy girls, dressed in eye-popping underwear. And window-shopping, performed by both sexes is a favorite activity in the Red Light District.

Apart from adult entertainment, the area has 300-year-old gabled buildings, expensive real estate houses doctors, lawyers and plenty of families, many bars and restaurants, and historic buildings and museums. The oldest church in Amsterdam, the Netherlands-gothic Oude Kerk on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal at Oudekerksplein, is now surrounded by window prostitution.

Amstelpark
The park stands in the suburb of Buitenveldert, southwest of Amsterdam and features a host of recreational facilities like playground, mini golf, mini football and pony rides for children and rose garden, rhododendron walk, and model garden with nursery for the nature lovers.

Amsterdamse Bos
This woodland park is the largest recreational area in Amsterdam and a stretch of water called the Bosbaan flowing through the park acts as a venue for rowing competitions in the season. The Amsterdamse Bos is a home to about 150 variants of foreign and native trees and colorful collection of birds.

Vondelpark
This is the largest city park in Amsterdam, and the most famous park in the Netherlands. The park has a film museum, an open air theatre, a playground, and several other facilities. Every Friday there is the Fridaynightskate that starts in front of the Film museum. Yearly events include the golf tournament Vondelpark Open and the running contest Vondelparkloop. From June until August there are music and dance performances in the open air theatre.

Museumplein
This happens to be the most versatile Park of Amsterdam with sports playgrounds, and wadding pool which offer the facility of ice skating in winter.

Oosterpark
Standing in East Amsterdam, just behind the Tropical Museum, the park features several big, monumental sculptures.

Westerpark
This is an extensive park near the city center. A former gas factory, situated in the middle of the park, has been converted into pleasant cafes and creative offices.

Amsterdam is a very bike-friendly city and tourists would love to explore the place on a rented bicycle. There are separate bike lanes on most major streets. Some of the best options for renting bikes in Amsterdam include:

1. Star Bikes Rental which offer Classic and solid dutch bikes for those who want to fit in with the locals. Prices: 5€ (4 hr) – 7€ (full day) – 9€ (24 hr), 2 lockers included.
2. MacBike Bicycle Rental, which offer red bicycles with a MacBike sign on the front. They offer online bicycle reservations at their website.
3. Orangebike, Rentals & Tours which offer 3 hr historical city tour by bike for €19.50.
4. Damstraat, which offer daily to weekly rentals and also offer repairs for your bike and new and used bike sales.

The Amsterdam people follow basic norms when on bicycle. Here we offer some tips for the visitors who want to explore Amsterdam on bicycle:

• Be very careful and watch out for other cyclists.
• If not indicated otherwise by signs, the right-before-left rule applies.
• Avoid getting your tire in the tram rails. Always cross tram rails at an angle.
• A good map for cycling (routes, repairs, rentals + also public transport) is Amsterdam op de fiets (a Cito-plan). When preparing a route, there’s a digital bicycle route-planner for Amsterdam.
• Make sure to get a good lock (or two), and to use it. Amsterdam has one of the highest bicycle theft rates in the world.
• Bicycles can be taken for free on all ferries across the IJ, and on all metros and some carriages of tram 26 using the bike supplement fee (€1.50 in 2010) on the OV chipcard.

According to the belief of some people the three saltires shows the three different dangers as faced by the ancient Amsterdam consisting fire, floods and the Black Death.The crosses must have their birth in shield of the noble family Persijn. The knight Jan Persijn was ‘lord’ of Amstelledamme (Amsterdam) from 1280 to 1282. In the escutcheons of Dordrecht and Delft, two other cities in Holland, the pale refers to water. In similarity to this notion the black pale in the escutcheon of Amsterdam signs towards the river Amstel. Both the colours and the crosses too are mentioned in the escutcheons of two towns near Amsterdam: the village of Ouder-Amstel on the banks of the river Amstel to the southeast, and Nieuwer-Amstel (now the suburb Amstelveen) to the southwest. Both villages were also the property of the Persijntoo family. The escutcheon creates the basis for the flag of Amsterdam, but there bands and crosses remain static and kept horizontally on the flag instead of vertically. The three Saint Andrew’s Crosses are used there in the logo of the city government and also as decorations on the typical Amsterdam bollards called Amsterdammertjes

The Imperial Crown of Austria is located at the top of the shield in the coat of arms of Amsterdam. As During the Hook and Cod wars in Holland in the 15th century, the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I supported the bourgeoisie in the cities (Cod) in their fight against the nobility in the countryside (Hook). In the course of these wars Amsterdam lend out the huge amount of money to Maximilian I. In 1489, the emperor provided the   Amsterdam the privilege to use up his personal imperial crown at its coat of arms, in return and thankfulness for those loans. After that when his successor Rudolf II created a new personal crown, Amsterdam even changed the crown accordingly. Even after the Reformation, the Protestant Amsterdam still continued using the crown of the Catholic emperor. In 1804, the crown of Rudolf II became the Imperial Crown of Austria. The supporters of the escutcheon are two rampant golden lions. The compartment the lions stand on is a stone pedestal. The lions were enhanced to the coat of arms in the 16th century.

• Rain: Rain is a massive nightlife spot straight at the center of Rembrandtplein which is a hybrid bar/restaurant and nightclub and is much popular in Amsterdam for many good reasons and activities. here you can enjoy the all sort of music including  hip-hop, funk, electro and house.

• Bimhuis: It is been known as jazz that once was the music lifeline of Amsterdam and even was immensely popular among locals.   Many of the great jazz performers and artist has lived in the city involving the Chet Baker, who lived out his last days here.  It is the city’s best top jazz spot and artists from entire Europe perform over here.

• De Stil: It is the spot for Whisky lovers it the city and it is said to boasting about hundreds of single malt whiskies as well as old whisky barrels that are served as tables. There owners are too friendly and offers whisky as in best friendly manner and aptitude.

• In De Wildeman: It is a former distillery that is quite famous for beer lovers in the city. Its tasting house serves the 17 beers on draught and round 200 bottled beers from the entire Europe and in meantime you also enjoy music too.

• Escape deluxe: It is one of the biggest clubs in the center of Amsterdam and provides an excellent location for dance and music in cool and intimate surroundings.

• Tuschinski: Amsterdam is also known for its arty cinemas. The art deco Tuschinski shows films from all over the world. Films are rarely dubbed into Dutch but are shown in the original language with subtitles.

• Melkweg: It is an old and popular club in Amsterdam that is aptly fit for a party and is attended by rock stars as for their alternative and precise acts and massive activities.

• Royal Theatre Carré: Koninklijk Theater Carré is known as Amsterdam’s most famous theatre, and earlier was home to a circus. Musicals and cabaret are generally organized at Theater Carré. It is a charming little theatre as old as going back in the past to year1786.

• Muziektheater (Opera House): Here Dutch National Ballet is being organized and it is considered as one of the best and most versatile dance companies in Western Europe, and the Netherlands Opera. Here is also organized the famous Netherlands Dance Theatre, that is Netherlands another world class and known ballet company. It is located on a curve of the Amstel in the heart of the city.

• Concertgebouw (Concert Hall): It is the home for the world- renowned Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Mariss Jansons. However, it also welcomes to the city visiting companies and international soloists. Here free concerts too also take place.

•    Heineken Experience: It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Amsterdam and should not be missed by a tourist by any means and measures. Since its start in 2001 it is attracting beer lovers from around the Globe from a decade. Located in the original brewery, visitors here can understand about the   famous Heineken Company and its unique brewing process that they adopt in preparing their brand of beer. Don’t go away empty handed, every visitor is provided with Heineken memorabilia so that every visitor could keep in their mind about and could remember the Heineken Experience. After the renovated works in 2008, the new and improved Heineken experience now offers a mini brewery, a new tasting bar and an opportunity to see Heineken’s iconic Shire horses.

•   Maastricht: It is the oldest city in the Netherlands, and is situated along the banks of the Maas River. It is also one of the sunnier spots, situated at Holland’s southernmost point, located in between the Belgium and German borders. Its ancient defense around the city present lively walking routes and some to them are yet visible on the city’s western outskirts. Another must-see sight in the city is the Basilica of Saint Servatius. It is a medieval cruciform basilica and has a good number of collection of religious artefacts as well as the burial place of Holland’s first bishop. In the old centre of Maastricht there is a good collection of shops and various departmental stores. Here one can also eat the fine food which Maastricht has developed a reputation for. A selection of wines from nearby vineyards can also be enjoyed here with cuisine.

•  International Court of Justice: It is very important with perspective of prompting and regulating the world peace. Located at The Hague, the building keeps the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration and The Hague Academy of International Law. The Hague is situated around 35 miles away from Amsterdam.

•    Waterland Neeltje Jans: There you can enjoy an entire day along with marine animals, experience fantastic attractions and learn about the world famous Delta Works into this mesmerizing water theme park. Its primary attractions involves the storm surge barrier, Delta Expo, a waterslide and water playground, whale world exhibition and a hurricane simulator and many other centers.

•  Royal Delftware Factory: The white and blue decorative pottery is the symbol and recognition of Royal Delftware, and had influence of Chinese porcelain as preceded to the reason by the tradesmen of the Dutch East India Company. The Royal Delftware Factory is the only remaining earthenware factory in Delft and has background and tradition as old as to the 17th century. Visitors to the factory even can see and view painting demonstrations can attend painting workshops as to visit the factory’s museum and showroom. Delft is around 30 miles (47km) south of Amsterdam, close to The Hague. Adding to the glamour there is a   painting demonstration too see and an exhibition in Deftware.

Dekker’s had to make so many efforts before she was allowed to sail across the Globe.  A year back she was under state care for two months as her parents prevented her from going on potentially dangerous sail. And again it was in last October, she had to face verdict of Dutch court which ruled against allowing Dekker sail solo around the world, citing her experience for doing so. Anyway she would be allowed to travel this year if she fulfills certain requirement that court is asking her to fulfill.

Amsterdam is located to the west of the Netherlands and is its capital city. It borders Germany to the east and Belgium to the South and the center of government is The Hague. It is a major part of the Kingdom of Netherlands, a country in Western Europe. Here is where the King is crowned as per the country’s constitution. The city had a population of 1.36 million as of January 2008. It encompasses several major suburbs many of which were built after World War 2 to provide good and affordable housing to the working class community. They have wide roads for easy accessibility and green areas for beautification purposes.

The country is low lying and in the capital itself, it is only 2 meters above sea level. Most of the land has been reclaimed from the sea by the use of dikes. These are artificial walls that are made parallel to the waters edge to regulate the water levels in and around the city. Amsterdam also has a man made forest in it. Some streets and squares within the city have been created by filling in a number of the numerous canals. The climate in this city is maritime climate. This is the type of climate that is found in middle latitude countries around the globe. Winter temperatures rarely go below zero degrees. As a cultural, financial, and business capital, the city has many world class companies located within it. Examples are Phillips, Tom Tom, KPMG, Heineken International, and ABN AMRO. Amsterdam receives 3.66 Million tourists a year as of 2009 and certain years are themed to attract more visitors. It has a designated area for legalized prostitution.