Most of the time the well-heeled Amsterdam tourist will arrive in the capital city of Holland via airplane, landing at Amsterdam Schiphol International airport, one of the busiest airports in the world. However, there are also many tourists who begin their trip to Amsterdam by taking the train or a motor coach into the city, or by hopping aboard one of the many ferries that crisscross the North Sea daily.

No matter what route a tourist utilizes to arrive in the metro Amsterdam area, they will be greeted with any number of sights to see and things to do in this city that is considered the jewel of the Netherlands. And, while this historic city is a jewel in many respects, especially in terms of culture, the arts, and various forms of entertainment, Amsterdam Holland is also often referred to as the Venice of the North because it, like Venice, has an intriguing labyrinth of canals for visitors to explore.

Part of what makes Amsterdam such a beautiful, romantic and picturesque city is the canal system that runs throughout the Amsterdam city center and out into the surrounding districts. Regardless what part of the city that an Amsterdam tourist visitor would like to visit, there is a canal that they can stroll alongside of or take a canal boat to arrive at their destination.

Any tourist who is a lover of fine art will be thrilled with the selection of art museums that are such an important part of the Amsterdam heritage and experience. The majority of the main museums are located in an area of Amsterdam city known as the Museum Quarter, which is easily accessible by taking a canal bus or one of the very efficient trams that run through the city. The Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam is just one such venue, yet the work of Rembrandt is also plentiful in the museums of this capital city of Holland.

Another area of the city that is a draw for tourists during their trip to Amsterdam are the bright and lively flower markets which engage and mesmerize visitors with a myriad of colors, shapes, textures and heavenly aromas. The flower shops are not fixed structures but are actually floating platforms or boats on the canals.

One of the more interesting tourist attractions is actually an area of the city that is commonly referred to as the Amsterdam red light district. This is the part of the city where the prostitution trade is completely legal and operates in the open. In addition, marijuana is also legal in this part of town and can be purchased freely at any of the coffee shops in the district.

On a more somber note, one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions is the Anne Frank House, which is where she and her family hid from the Nazis during World War II. The house, and the attic where the Frank family lived, remains virtually untouched and visitors often leave with a poignant reminder of the horrors of that period of history.

In general, an Amsterdam tourist is met with almost limitless choices when they decide to incorporate Amsterdam travel into their vacation plans. Visitors to this welcoming city find themselves easily taken in by the friendly inhabitants and the easygoing lifestyle that is one of the hallmarks of this amazing area.