Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most magical cities, built on a web of canals that were carefully dug hundreds of years ago. Today, those waterways wind through the city like watery streets, with boats drifting past tall, narrow houses that seem to lean toward each other as if sharing secrets. The whole canal ring is so remarkable that it earned a spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Amsterdam has a lively, creative atmosphere where history and art seem to be around every corner.

This city is also a paradise for art lovers. You can stand face to face with Rembrandt’s enormous “The Night Watch” at the Rijksmuseum, or lose yourself in Vincent van Gogh’s bold, swirling brushstrokes at the dedicated museum nearby. The Anne Frank House offers a powerful and moving glimpse into history. And if you want to feel the true heartbeat of Amsterdam, just watch the endless river of cyclists flowing through the streets, because bikes here outnumber the people who live in the city.