Amsterdam is the capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is the country's largest city and its financial, cultural, and creative centre. Many large Dutch institutions have their headquarters there, and seven of the world's 500 largest companies, including Philips and ING, are based in the city. In 2012, Amsterdam was ranked the second best city in which to live by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and 12th globally on quality of living for environment and infrastructure by Mercer.
Amsterdam derives its name from the city’s origin as “Dam” of river “Amstel”. In the past, the name was "Amstelredamme" which later changed as “Amsterdam”. The city is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, attracting over 7 million international travellers annually. The city is colloquially known as ''Venice of the North'' because of its lovely canals that criss-cross the city, its impressive architecture and more than 1,500 bridges. There is something for every traveller's taste here; whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying, or just the relaxing charm of an old European city!
I was so pleased with a recent trip that I wanted to share my satisfying experience.
My mother and sisters and I have a tradition of celebrating milestone birthdays by going on a trip together. Our travel agent, Diane Ross, planned a trip-of-a-lifetime for us. We wanted to cruise, but also to tour. Because Mom is 88, navigating around a large ship would have been too strenuous. A river cruise was the answer! Diane had so much knowledge about various lines, and was able to narrow down the selection for us. An elegant environment was important to us, as well as cuisine. She found an ideal itinerary and knew which cabins were the most spacious and well-located. The ship’s staff knowledge of the (60th) birthday made the celebration more memorable (which Diane facilitated). She inquired about our interests to enhance our enjoyment of the trip. As a result, while docked in Paris, she arranged a Walking Tour of chocolate boutiques for us! Everyone loves chocolate, but I think few travel agents take the time to learn about their clients’ likes and dislikes, so that they can personalize their trip in such a lovely and different way. In addition to her professionalism, Diane’s depth of traveling experience allows her to recommend and implement trips for clients on every scale, from a local getaway to an around-the-world voyage. I can’t recommend her services highly enough“
By IJ, Cherry Hill NJ