Airline & Holiday Information

Despite its political swing to the hard ‘right’ a few years ago, when it started to crack down harshly on its own traditions of religious freedom, sexual tolerance and generous immigration, today Amsterdam – the city of relaxed open-mindedness and colourful diversity – appears to have returned to its easy-going centre of gravity. All of which makes the lovely sights and scenes it has to offer a good deal more enjoyable.

The people of Amsterdam are gracious, friendly and helpful to the tourist (as well as to one another), attributes which undoubtedly enhance the enjoyment of visiting. With so much relaxed toleration, though, visitors from less laid-back cultures may find themselves discovering their own inner prude. For instance, there really are cannabis cafes, and the famous red light district is thriving. But because the Dutch are at ease with both, they’re also maturely discrete about them – you’re not going to find a scantily-clad dancer writhing in a shop window on the high street, or a family-friendly restaurant choked with spliff-exhaust. If you want to see these places, you’re going to have to make a point of finding them.

There is much to see and appreciate in this marvellous city. In the summer especially, Amsterdam plays host to a huge array of colourful festivals and events. You can sit in a café beside a beautiful old canal, stare in wonderment at the splendid old villas of the merchants, visit countless museums laden with fabulous art, stroll through the peaceful lanes, courtyards and boutiques of the Jordaan, or soothe yourself in the luscious green tranquillity of the Vondelpark (the grandest of the city’s thirty parks) – and you can shop till you drop if the fancy takes you.