Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This morning a sky of wispy cloud punctuated by azure blue hung above this most remarkable of European cities, Amsterdam. On arrival at the modern ferry terminal close to the downtown quarter we boarded coaches and were taken by our local based guides to glass roofed canal boats. This city is a veritable water world and the best introduction to it is from the vantage point of the canals and Amstel River. What a treat lay in store. Autumn is just beginning to announce its arrival in the tannin tinted leaves of the elm trees lining many of the 17th century semi-circular canal. It was these conduits which allowed the city to develop as a major trading centre over the centuries and indeed it became one of the most important ports in the Hanseatic League. The serried ranks of gable fronted merchant houses attest to this. Thousands of Amsterdam’s residents have made their abodes on boats of all shapes and sizes moored along the waterways and what an idyllic lifestyle this seems to be. Demand for these homes far outstrips availability so the canal homes command high prices ranging from 175 – 500,000 Euro. The play of light and shade, the gentle swish of the cruise boat displacing water, the gentle breeze and flower pot bedecked canal boats combined to engage us at every turn and twist along our water course.
Following our cruise we walked the short distance to the famed Rijksmuseum which houses the largest collection of classical Dutch art in the world. Slowly perambulating through its rooms we were treated to a visual feast. Paintings by masters including Rembrandt and Vermeer were among the highlights of our visit and the ‘Winter Landscape with Skaters’ by Hendrick Avercamp especially rewarded close scrutiny with its multitude of characters indulging in a variety of activities in their frozen wonderland.
The afternoon was occupied with a variety of activities which included optional visits to the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House and photo walks through the criss-crossed canal landscape of this remarkably beautiful, intriguing and engaging of cities.
