car hire amsterdam

guide to amsterdam

history
Amsterdam experienced its first growth spurt as a city in the 1300s, when it became a focal point for trade between southern Europe and the North and Baltic seas. The city entered a lengthy Golden Age in 1580, when its ships began to dominate Europe’s maritime trade and fishing industry. But the Dutch reign of the sea came to an abrupt end in the early 1800s when the city was occupied by the French. By the time the French vacated the city, Britain had taken over the sea trade, and Amsterdam became a local market town. The early 1900s saw Amsterdam reinvent itself as an industrial city, and when the 1960s rolled around, it became a counter-culture mecca, earning it the radical reputation it holds today. These days, Amsterdam ranks only behind heavyweights London, Paris, and Rome in terms of European tourism.

things to see
The tulip is one of Amsterdam’s calling cards, and while you can buy the bulbs from vendors all over the city, the most idyllic way to experience them is by getting into the neighboring countryside, especially during spring’s full bloom. After picking up your car hire at Schiphol Airport, take a short drive 25 kilometres southwest of Amsterdam to Keukenhof, home to a wooded park that bursts with the bulbs of (literally) millions of tulips representing hundreds of varieties. If you’re looking for more diversity in your flower tour, the site is also brimming with daffodils, crocuses, lilies, and many others. For more of a driving tour, you can follow the Bolenstreek (Bulb District) signs for a 60-kilometre route taking you past fields and fields of flowers and windmills. Mid-March through the end of April is the best time for this picturesque drive.

The Anne Frank Huis is a moving memorial to Anne Frank and her family, who hid in the attic of this house for two years until being discovered. You will likely encounter long lines and crowds here, but the short, emotional walk through this historic site is not one you will soon forget. Another crowded attraction is the Van Gogh Museum, which houses a staggering 200 paintings by the anguished master. You’ll have to crane your neck to get a glimpse of “Starry Night,” but this collection is worth braving the throngs of visitors.