The Venice of the North

A boat cruise is one of the most popular tourist activities for a first timer in Amsterdam.

Even though I have been to Amsterdam many times before, I still have to rub my eyes to make them believe the breathtaking bird's eye view that I see each time I'm on the airplane. I'll never fail to miss the scenes of geometrically balanced fields. The squares and rectangles of grasslands neatly placed alongside strings of rivers just like the tiles of a floor and the windmills carefully lined on the planes like the buttons of a shirt. When I see the patches of land so nicely balanced with proportion, the images of Piet Mondrian's paintings comes to mind each time. There seems to be no waste of space, everything is planned. This city is one of my favorite destinations.
The name “Amsterdam” was transformed from the name “Amstelledamme”. “Amstelledamme” was the name of the dam that was built by fishermen at the Amstel River in The Netherlands in the year 1275. Amsterdam had grown very quickly as a city and became the most important trading city in The Netherlands. The city was once the most powerful financial center in Europe. Amsterdam became known and famous for its liberal views on drugs. This liberal vibe throughout the city is different than all other places.
In my opinion, the attractiveness of Amsterdam comes from the city's 17th century historic atmosphere combined with the mentality of modern architecture. When walking in the streets of Amsterdam, during the day, I always instantly feel the friendly and relaxed environment. Everything seems so perfectly arranged. It always feels like it's too good to be true. The little intricate details of this densely packed city can never be left unnoticed. Small but beautifully scaled buildings, intimate narrow stone lined roads and romantic canals give Amsterdam its uniqueness.  
If you plan to visit one of the big cities in Holland, you are probably thinking of excellent museums, special architecture and good restaurants. According to the tourism board of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is said to have the highest museum density in the world. Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House and Rijksmuseum are some of the most famous museums to visit. Rich in the field of art, culture and history, it is a must to visit these museums and soak in the beautiful history of this spectacular city.
Everything from designer boutiques to multistory department stores and from antiques to contemporary Dutch design: Amsterdam has it all. Some of my personal shopping districts, which are also some of the most famous in Amsterdam include De Bijenkorf, Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets) and Kalverstraat.
Amsterdam is famous for its picturesque canals and has around 165 of them! The city is also known as “The Venice of the North” for its canals. Taking a canal tour will let you discover the historical Canal District, which had been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The canal tour is another must if you're visiting for the first time in Amsterdam.
Each area has its own personality and shows a different side of Amsterdam. Whether you're looking for modern architecture, a cultural hot spot or an active excursion, there's something for everyone.
Each season has its own highlights, holidays, atmosphere and activities. Spring, preferably, is the best time of the year in Amsterdam. I love experiencing the explosions of colors from the tulip fields. In Keukenhof, you can wander through millions of flowering bulbs of various different colors in a gorgeous outdoor garden. It's hard to resist the allure of Amsterdam in the spring time.  
If there are three things that you must eat in Amsterdam, then that should be cheese, Herring Broodjes and Stroopwafels. Herring Broodjes is a raw herring fish in a bread roll and is one of the main delicacies of Dutch street food. It might sound a bit distasteful but you won't know its' incredible pungent, salty and fresh flavor unless you try it. Stroopwafel, or waffle drenched in sweet syrup, is another famous delicious street food in Amsterdam.
The best way to get around Amsterdam is on a bicycle. Bikes go with Amsterdam like wine goes with France. Everyday life here involves pedaling, either to work or to school. Sometimes I even see kids strapped to a wooden barrow fitted on to the front of the bike and their parents taking them to school. I remember when I used to live here I would ride my bicycle on every chance that I would get. Riding bikes in Amsterdam creates a relationship between yourself and the city. The experience is beautiful and you won't become any more local than by cycling around Amsterdam. Its flat landscape, mild climate, short distances and excellent infrastructure are what made Amsterdam the ultimate cycling city. If you don't own a bicycle or cannot take one with you, you can rent bicycles by the hour pretty much everywhere.
Amsterdam is much more than just legal drugs. I have a great impression of Dutch hospitality and I am always greeted with smiles everywhere I go. I had never experienced such an ordered city with its beautiful sights and amazing culture. Even though a big chunk of my childhood was spent in this city, the peaceful environment and the friendly nature of the people is what keeps me coming back for more. Amsterdam packs tons of variety into a fairly small space. You just never know what's around the next corner!