A Travel Guide to Amsterdam - Essay Example

It is very diverse, with over 173 nationalities inhabiting the city ("Amsterdam, facts", n.d.), "Surinamese, Moroccans, Turks and Antillians making up 25% of the population" ("Spending", 2005). Shopping. Amsterdam has numerous shops that sell "antiques, books, diamonds, and curiosities" ("Shopping in Amsterdam", 2005). There are a markets and "shopping centers" like in the Jordaan, where it is littered with various "small interesting individual shops" (Pemberton & Kerrsens, 2005), and Albert Cuyp, the largest market in Amsterdam (Jenkins, 2005).

The more fashionable shops are in the PC Hooftstraat and district, neighboring museums (Pemberton & Kerrsens, 2005). Dining. "Of all the things Amsterdam can offer, a wide choice of food and drink must stand high on the list" (Pemberton & Kerrsens, 2005). Amsterdam has more than a thousand restaurants mostly located at the city center, majority of which are of high quality and are reasonably priced (Pemberton & Kerrsens, 2005). Entertainment. Amsterdam also features many theatres, such as the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam.

Most major theaters can be found along the Leidseplein, where one can watch quality English-language films ("Amsterdam Transportation", 2005). Also, one of the famous spots for entertainment is the Red Light District which presents a "party atmosphere, sex for sale, and limitless people-watching. "The stores are full of hardcore videos, magazines, and sex toys" ("Amsterdam tourist", 2005). Events. There are a myriad of performances presented all around the city. Low cost entertainment in the "multitude of street performers and live bands in bars and cafes" ("Amsterdam Transportation", 2005).

There are countless of activities throughout the city, a list of "what's happening" can be found hanging in most cafes and in newspapers (Pemberton & Kerrsens, 2005).Heritage sites and buildings. Numerous old buildings are preserved in Amsterdam like the Anne Frank House, a WW2 hiding place of the "young Jewish girl and her family" ("Amsterdam museums, 2005"). This is also where she wrote her famous diaries. There is also the Oude Kerk, an old church surrounded by little houses, and the house where Rembrandt lived and worked, among others (Pemberton & Kerrsens, 2005).

Museums and other attractions. Amsterdam has more than fifty museums, these being "among the main tourist attractions" (9). The three most notable ones include the Rijksmuseum, which houses the works of "Netherlands' great 17th century painters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Hals"; the Stedelijk which has an outstanding series modern art from around 1880; and the Van Gogh which many of the great artist's works (Pemberton & Kerrsens, 2005). Other attractions include the Artis Zoo, oldest Zoo of Holland ("Amsterdam tourist", 2005), and the Hortus Horticultural Gardens.

Transportation and Accessibility. Most distances are walkable within the city's center, so many walk or use bicycles. Driving is generally disapproved. It has reliable public transport