The Netherlands Maritime Museum contains an engaging collection of nautical
memorabilia, telling the story of the country’s maritime past. One is swept
into the golden age of Holland when its trading empire girdled the world. The jetty outside the
Museum is a permanent berth for a replica of the Dutch East Indiaman. Amsterdam
actors playing the sailors provide a live impression of life on board.
Red Light District
No visit to Amsterdam would be complete without a trip to the part
of the city that give new definition to the idea of window shopping. The main attractions are the pink lit windows
to various brothels where the ladies of the evening beckon.
One if informed
that there are 450 of these windows and a street specialising in
every taste - Latinas on Oudezijds Achterburgwal and Molsteeg, Asians on
Stofstraat, and the high-end glamour ladies along tiny Trompettersteeg by the
Oude Kerk. The Oude Kerk or Old Church
is a 14th Century Gothic structure that provide an island of
sanctity in a sea of sin.
Visiting Amsterdam
Amsterdam is serviced by one of the largest airports
in the world, which is filled with shops and other services. The city is also
readily accessible by train or bus. The city itself is easily seen on foot or
on a bicycle. It also has a very efficient public transit system with trams,
buses, trains, and a metro system. While tourism peaks at Easter and late
Summer, every time of the year has its own charms for visiting Amsterdam.