Amsterdam

Amsterdam's canals fan out from the centre in concentric half-circles, lined with narrow gabled houses and crossed by hundreds of bridges. Ships dock near the historic centre, and you step off into a city of bicycles on cobbled streets, houseboats on still water, and fresh stroopwafels from market stalls. The canal ring is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Jordaan district, once a working-class area, now has small galleries, vintage shops, and brown cafés. The Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are in the Museumplein area, about a 20-minute tram ride from the port. The Anne Frank House needs advance booking. The Albert Cuyp Market is the largest street market in the city, good for cheese, herring, and cheap clothes. Bikes are everywhere and have right of way, so watch where you walk. Trams are the easiest public transport from the terminal. Most central attractions charge between €15-20 for entry.