Amsterdam Canal - Darin
Grachten is Dutch for canals, the waterways Amsterdam is known for all over the world. The seventeenth century girdle of canals is an early example of excellent town planning. In smaller Dutch cities like Delft and Dordrecht, water is also an essential part of the town centre. In Belgium, Bruges derives much of its attraction from the many canals and picturesque bridges. In The Hague many canals have been filled in, but the town centre is still surrounded by water.
Amsterdam Canal - Jen
The number of canals have led Amsterdam to become known as “The Venice of the North”. And thus, a trip to Amsterdam is not complete without a boat cruise. A canal tour can be both fascinating and relaxing by day and enchanting and romantic at night when many of the houses and bridges are illuminated. The four main city center canals are Prinsengracht, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Singel. There are also numerous smaller canals in the neighbourhood of Jordaan, of which the Brouwersgracht, the Bloemgracht and the Leliegracht are especially pleasant.
Survivor Tree - Vondelpark
Vondelpark is the largest city park in Amsterdam, and certainly the most famous park in the Netherlands, which welcomes about 10 million visitors every year.
The Vondelpark is loved by Amsterdammers as well as by tourists, and is full of people - enjoying a sunny day, dog-walking, jogging, roller-skating, listening to music, people-watching, or just lazing about in grass.
Haarlem - Grote Kerk - Big Church
This church built in a gothic style, also known as 'Grote Kerk' (Big Church) was built between 1400 and 1550. It is the biggest thing when you stand on the Grote Markt, the main square in Haarlem.
The church is famous for it's fantastic big organ built by Christian Muller in 1735. Even Mozart who played this organ in 1766 when he was a child was very enthusiastic.
Haarlem - A Cafe on Grote Markt
A typical menu of many cafes in the Netherlands would offer many Dutch specialties to choose from such as tostis and their flat thin version of a pancake, or opt for hamburgers and salads. A favorite would have to be the hamburger, which comes topped with a fried egg and their special sauce. Other choices would include a ham en kaas (ham and cheese) tosti or chicken sate (chicken in peanut sauce). There is plenty of seating outside and in, but on a nice day, one should enjoy the view of the town from outside.
Bridge Over a Canal - Canal Boat Tour
Did you know that Amsterdam has 165 canals, 1281 bridges, 70 canal cruise boats, 8 wooden drawbridges, 2500 houseboats and 120 water bikes? A canal cruise is a must to explore and discover Amsterdam. The canals are one of the major attractions of Amsterdam, also called 'Venice of the North.’ By daytime the canals are charming, by night they become even more enchanting because many canal houses and bridges are beautifully illuminated. The four main canals in the canal belt are Prinsengracht (Princes’ Canal), Herengracht (Gentlemen’s Canal), Keizersgracht (Emperor’s Canal) and Singel.