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Amsterdam is a cornucopia of cafés, coffee shops, cosy bars, and outdoor markets. Set on 160 man-made canals, Amsterdam also has the largest historical inner city in Europe. The French writer J. K. Huysmans once called Amsterdam "a dream, an orgy of houses and water." It's true: when compared with other major European cities, this one is uniquely defined by its impressive gabled houses, rather than palaces, estates, and other aristocratic folderol. Most of the 7,000 registered monuments here began as residences and warehouses of humble merchants.
The Netherlands is part of the Schengen agreement and consequently certain nationalities will require a visa to enter a Schengen country. Please address enquiries about entry and vaccination requirements to your travel agent or to the local Netherlands Consulate or Embassy.
Amsterdam's summer months are wonderful, as the weather turns soft and balmy and the whole city seems to live outdoors. From mid-October to mid-March the climate is miserable, with so much rain you'll have trouble distinguishing street from canal. Spring is pretty damp too, but redeemed by the delightful profusion of bulbs in the window boxes and markets.
The currency in Amsterdam is the Euro.
220 volts AC (moving at the rate of one volt per year towards the European standard of 230 volts), 50Hz; two-pin European-style plugs are in use.
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).