Amsterdam is a fantastic, vibrant city and is also the capital of the Netherlands. While it has gained notoriety for its marijuana cafes and lax stance on prostitution, it is also one of the oldest cities in Europe and boasts a huge amount of culture. One of the best things you can do while there is head on down to one or two of the famous coffee houses for a hit of culture, great food and drink and people watching.
Abraxis
» Read more: Five Great Coffee Houses and Cafes in Amsterdam
When people think of Holland, Amsterdam is usually the first place that comes to mind. Shockingly, places like Rotterdam and The Hague prove there is more to the country. Really!
Rotterdam
A traveler is often able to deduce certain things from the name of a destination. In the case of Rotterdam, nothing could be further from the truth. Nothing is rotting. Well, maybe something in the bottom of a fridge somewhere, but nothing in the public arena. Instead, Rotterdam is a vibrant, fairly modern Dutch city.
Rotterdam sits at the confluence of a couple of rivers and what appears to be a collection of canals designed on an child’s etch a sketch board. Despite this and nearly being wiped out in World War II, the city has a get on with your business kind of feel to it. Unlike Amsterdam, you’ll actually feel like you’re interacting with the Dutch in their daily lives. The rejuvenation of the city, however, has cost Rotterdam a bit of a character. There isn’t much to see, but the nightlife is hopping and museums carry collections from Monet and van Gogh.
» Read more: Holland – Beyond Amsterdam
Holland is situated in the region that lies in the central-western part of Netherlands. Holland is surrounded with colorful flower fields, windmills, and historic cities. Holland is an artistic place where people can find the world’s finest art. People of Holland are independent and friendly. Several structures like windmills, dikes, and canals are built to manage waterways in Holland.
The name Holland was a Viking word for “woodland”. It was visited by Vikings several times when Holland was called Frisia.