Amsterdam

Amsterdam is often referred to as one of the most colorful cities in the world. And rightly so! Where else do you find so many places of interest, famous museums, cozy pubs and fun shops, flower markets, and beaches? If you like culture and trends, we recommend you go to Waterloo Square. The modern City Hall (nicknamed Stopera) and the Muziek Theater are situated here. The daily market on this square attracts scores of people who are looking for great bargains.

Waterloo square owes its fame to the flea market. The saying goes ‘If you cannot buy it here, you cannot buy it anywhere'. The market is open every day of the week, except Sundays. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. you can rummage around the goods displayed in the booths and on the blankets on the pavement. The perfect place to go for second-hand clothes, shoes, books, records and stamps. More unusual items are for sale too, such as three-piece suites, cartons full of old locks and other such paraphernalia.

The Waterlooplein Square was created in 1880 when two canals were filled in. The then authorities decided that the predominantly Jewish traders who had their businesses around Jodenbreestraat had to hawk their wares on the new square. This is how the market came into being. The Jewish market disappeared for good after the persecution of the Jews in 1941. The market did get back on its feet after the war, but never regained its former status.

The new City Hall and the Muziektheater are also located on Waterlooplein Square. The theater presents ballet and opera. This earned the complex the nickname Stopera, a contraction of the Dutch word for city hall and the word opera. The impressive building was designed by Vienna architect Willem Holzbauer and his Dutch colleague Cees Dam.

But don't let the pomp and circumstance deter you. Amsterdam is small enough for the locals to refer to it as a village. Nevertheless, the city has one of the most sophisticated canal systems in Europe. There is much history in the buildings and houses that line the streets and canals. Amsterdam is one of Europe's treasure troves for lovers of architecture. It is also of international importance in terms of modern design. Although it's somewhat ironic that these structures now house sex shops, casinos, more >>