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WELCOME TO AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam is a compact, instantly likeable city. It's appealing to look at and pleasant to walk around, an intriguing mix of the parochial and the international; it also has a welcoming attitude towards visitors and a uniquely youthful orientation, shaped by the liberal counter-culture that took hold in the 1960s. Also engaging are the buzz of open-air summer events and the intimacy of its clubs and bars, not to mention the Dutch facility with languages: just about everyone you meet in Amsterdam will be able to speak near-perfect English, on top of their own native Dutch, and often French and German too.

The city's layout is determined by a web of canals. The historical centre, which dates from the thirteenth century, is girdled by five concentric canals – the Grachtengordel – dug in the seventeenth century as part of a planned expansion to create a uniquely elegant urban environment. It is here that the city's merchant class built their grand mansions, typified by tall, gracefully decorated gables, whose fine proportions are reflected in the still, olive-green waters below.

OLD AND NEW WINDMILL

Put on a pair of clogs, take some tulips along, eat some cheese before you take a ride on the canal to see the world known windmills and you'll surprise the essence of the Netherlands. Actually, you needn't do anything of that to visit the windmills, as they are one of the most accessible sights in Amsterdam, right in the core of it. And you aren't talking but one or two, we're talking about 8 windmills, most of the at visitors' disposal.
If lucky, you may even surprise them decked for holiday or some special event, such as the National Windmill Day on May, 11th, all covered in flowers, angel garments or bearing the Netherlands' official symbol: the Dutch flag. With an important historical heritage, the Dutch mills are preserved not only for tourist purposes, but some have even become the home of Dutch families. Others have been reconstructed and renovated for longer lasting throughout the years.
Five of the mills in Amsterdam have 17th century and later architecture and are open for the public. If you want to take a look, you'll find them on Haarlemmerweg 465 (windmill De 1200 Roe), on Herrman Bonpad 6 (windmill De 1100 Roe), along the Amstel River (Riekermolen), on Noordhollandschkanaaldijk 21 (D'Admiraal) and on Haarlemmerweg 701 (De Bloem). De Bloem, although keeps most of its original form, has different location from the original one. D'Amiraal and De Bloem were built later than the other three, which makes them a little different in appearance.
If you're looking for a windmill that brings back more of the old Dutch spirit, you must visit De Gooyer, on Fuenenkade 7, and have a zip of the traditional Dutch beer, Y-lake, in the brewery located in this mill. The mill is in action every first Saturday of the month, a true delight and picturesque sight for the lucky visitors.
Molen Van Sloten and De Otter are the last two windmills you are allowed to visit, with high popularity among tourists due, partly, because of the touch of mystery surrounding their 16th, respectively 19th century architecture. This is the reason for which many couples choose to get married in Molen Van Sloten, especially that it is officially recognized as a house of municipality. De Otter, on the other hand, is perhaps, the most authentic Dutch windmill. Unfortunately its existence and work seems to be threatened by the civilization taking over the waters and the wind, but everybody is making efforts to preserve it in the best conditions.
Windmills can be visited by everyone. Even physically disabled persons or pregnant women and young children can have a beautiful insight of the Dutch heritage thanks to the elevators build in the windmills. Tours are organized daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Check out for public holidays or special events, though, because the mills might be close for visitors.

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