Amsterdam

Once an inhospitable patch of lakes and swamps, Amsterdam quickly grew into one of the world’s largest trading empires. The city really came into importance and wealth as colonies were set up around the Dutch East India Company, which controlled trade around the world. The capital of the Netherlands continues preserves its historic spirit with a grand total of 60 miles of canals and nearly 7,000 buildings that were built in the 18th century or earlier.

Between homegrown masterpieces from the likes of Van Gogh and Rembrandt to the glory-filled Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam has enough artistic treasures to impress. Elsewhere, the city is filled to the brim with colorful architecture and uneven buildings that are full of quirks and old-world charm. Head to spots such as the Anne Frank House or the Royal Palace to get a fascinating historical view of the city, while trendy galleries, fusion eateries and contemporary shopping are a booming source of pride for modern Amsterdam.

While Amsterdam is very much a walkable city, getting around by bike and boat are both lovely ways to experience the city from a different point of view. The compact city is friendly for bikers and it’s really ingrained in the culture. Outside of this, the Dutch capital has an impressive array of buses, metros, trains and trams to get where you need to be. Although crowds peak around July and August, there’s no real bad time to visit Amsterdam. Spring is a fantastic time to visit the city, as the tulips are in full blossom and King’s Day is right around the corner. While Amsterdam offers an international flavor of restaurants, the revival of traditional Dutch cuisine isn’t something to miss. Creative locals chefs have begun taking centuries-old recipes and adding a contemporary flair, taking concepts from the rest of the world and melding them with locally sourced meats, seafood and vegetables.