Letting go of misconceptions about Amsterdam

Letting go of misconceptions about Amsterdam

(Source Examiner.com)
When attending professional networking events I often get enthusiastic responses to my career as a travel agent, but a recent evening was spent cornered by an avid travel enthusiast with some major misconceptions about Amsterdam. Our conversation of where we had been and where we would like to go continued throughout the evening like athletes comparing stats. My experience weighs heavily towards Europe and when I mentioned Amsterdam among my favorites that I would like to return to the familiar grin began to spread across my companions face. I know from experience that grin is simply a lead-in to one of my most despised questions, “Is it true Amsterdam is full of hashish smokers?”.
Yes, it is legal to smoke marijuana and there are around 350 coffeeshops licensed to sell the drug in very small amounts to anyone over 18 years of age. However, the streets are not covered by an intoxicating cloud that leaves the city stoned. It is not as widely used as many believe since you can still be arrested for possession of more than five grams and for intent to sell. Looking past the misconceptions you can see this country has so much to offer the inquisitive traveler looking for history, art, and culture.
The city of Amsterdam is the heart of the Netherlands and is often considered one of the trendiest cities in the world. It is cozy and intimate and instantly likable with a welcoming feel and a compact layout making it a walkable city. To get a feel for the city I would recommend starting with a cruise down the canals where you will be able to spot many of the sites or at least orient yourself to neighborhoods for later exploration. This is also a great activity to enjoy at night when tiny lanterns line more than 1200 bridges spanning the city’s 160 canals.
Once you have gotten the lay of the land it is time to enjoy the culture of Amsterdam. For the history buff there are a number of sites that will feed your curiosity about the country’s history and heritage. The Anne Frank Huis is a look at more recent history and a site everyone should visit. The original house now sits inside a modern shell, but the insight into the life of the young Jewish girl hiding away with her family during World War II is an unforgettable experience. Amsterdam’s Historisch Museum offers a great overview of the history of the city and Dutch culture. To see this heritage first hand and in use visit Zaanse Schanse located ten miles northwest of the city. This living Dutch museum introduces visitors to the iconic windmills, traditional crafts including cheese-making, and clog making. The area includes reconstructions of traditional buildings and restaurants serving traditional foods such as edam, kerststol, and hutspot.
The city is known as the center of art and design in the Netherlands and is recognized throughout Europe for its architecture and art museums. If an afternoon ogling art by some of the world’s most famous artists is more your scene you will enjoy the vast number of galleries both large and small. Rijkmuseum is the largest museum in the Netherlands and is considered one of the premier art collections in the world. This massive building houses over 5000 works of art including pieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer. Most of the building will be closed until early 2010 for renovations, but a small collection is still available for viewing during that time. The Van Gogh Museum contains nearly 700 paintings and drawings by Vincent , his friends, and contemporaries and is a good reflection of his life’s work. Read Article... http://www.examiner.com/x-9669-Minneapolis-International-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d10-Letting-go-of-misconceptions-about-Amsterdam