The Dutch people of the Netherlands and Flemish regions have always been ahead of their time. Throughout the middle ages, the Dutch organized their tradesmen into guilds with rigorous entry requirements, club-like headquarters and a knack for monetizing their products. By combining one of the first organized banking systems with a fleet of ships and seamen, the Dutch explorers were able to launch expeditions to Asia, Africa and the Americas.

Dutch Golden Age

By the middle of the 17th century, this small nation had trading centers and colonial outposts in far-flung locations around the world. The period from 1575 to 1682 is now known as the Dutch Golden Age when the nation's control of the world economy was comparable to the influence of Saudi Arabia and the Emirates today. Eventually, adventurers and the armies supporting other emerging European nations supplanted the Dutch in trade and colonial possessions. But the Netherlands continued to maintain a reputation for innovation in business affairs and social policies to the present day.

Dutch Culture 

Anyone who has visited Amsterdam or the surrounding provinces of North Holland and South Holland over the past decade can observe examples of these traits in the local culture. Windmills were used throughout the nation long before wind power became fashionable. They are now enjoyed by visitors at places like the De Gooyer grain mill near the city docks and the Zaanse Schans in Zaandam. Nevertheless, reducing air pollution and the country's dependence on foreign oil remains a national priority. For years before Lime scooters and electric bicycles became the rage for American millennials, the streets of Amsterdam were filled with 900,000 bicycles which means there are more bicycles than people in the city. In addition, ferries, canal buses and water taxis are routinely used to get to higher ground.

Social trends in the Netherlands are also considerably more libertine than in other parts of Europe and the United States. Brothels have been legal and widely accepted in Amsterdam for several decades but are tightly regulated by the government. Similarly, marijuana was decriminalized to a certain extent in 1976 and so-called coffee shops may sell cannabis for personal consumption by City residents. Sales to visitors have recently been restricted in some municipalities.

In addition to this unique flavor in history, there's plenty to see in Amsterdam. Here are a few other experiences to pursue on a short visit:

Cruise the canals - Venice may be known for its canals and touristy gondola rides, but the waterways of Amsterdam are also fundamental to the life of the city. Amsterdam's main canal ring is a world heritage site known as Grachtengordel. That canal loop and the city’s many other routes allow people to move from place to place through a complex system of interconnected channels and locks. For a scenic experience, many people take a one-hour canal tour of the downtown or take a hop on, hop off cruise to see the sites.

Museums - Amsterdam has many museums which are popular attractions. The Van Gogh museum displays about 200 paintings along with letters of the famous artist. The legacy of young Anne Frank whose diary of hiding from the Nazis in an attic remains a renowned piece of literature is presented creatively at the Anne Frank museum. The museum which includes a replica of her hiding place and a memorial to the Holocaust was rededicated in 2018. The Rijks Museum of Art displays other objects from throughout Dutch history and culture.

Clog Factory - The wooden shoes of traditional Dutch living may have given way to Nike sneakers and modern footwear among most residents, but many tours of the city feature a visit to the Clara Maria cheese and clog factory. These special shoes which allow people to move through the low-lying landscape of the Netherlands are surprisingly comfortable to wear. At the clog factory, skilled craftsman can be observed carving each set of shoes by hand and then painting flower patterns and other colorful designs on them.  A store on site offers a wide variety of clog products for sale. You can also sample fresh cheeses made at the 162-year-old barn.

When to Go - Located on the north coast of Continental Europe, Amsterdam has the temperate climate of a coastal location which makes summer the most comfortable time for visiting. However, Amsterdam can become crowded in season so a late spring visit for flower lovers and early fall are also ideal times. Weather conditions can be cold, rainy and dreary with fog in the low season which runs from late fall throughout the winter.

How to Go - Amsterdam's Schiphol airport is one of Europe’s major hubs and is served not only by Dutch national carrier KLM, but also by its affiliated carrier British Airways, Delta, and United. Regional discount airlines like easyJet and TUIfly also fly to Amsterdam from all over Europe. Amsterdam is also served by regular Euro rail trains and the Eurostar from London.

Where to Stay - For a quick visit to the city, one alternative is to stay at a hotel connected to the airport and then take the train located under the arrival hall right into the city center 24 hours a day.  Some hotels near the airport include the Hilton Amsterdam airport hotel and the Sheraton Amsterdam airport and conference center. The hip alternative is the citizen M hotel which features business friendly rooms, common social spaces, and ample computer services.  There are also many boutique hotels in the city center closer to the action such as the five-star Sofitel The Grand Amsterdam which has served as everything from a convent to the admiralty headquarters to a house for Dutch royalty over the centuries.  Another choice in the center of the canal district is the hotel Seven One Seven.