6 Reasons We Love Amsterdam

Everyone knows Amsterdam for its weed and Red Light District but we got so much more going on

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When people think of Amsterdam, they usually think of weed, "coffeeshops" [wink wink] and the city's Red Light District but we have so much going on in the city.

1. Bicycles! In fact, almost everyone in Amsterdam has one

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There are more than one million bicycles in Amsterdam and the city has more than 400 km of bicycle paths.

Some parents use a "bakfiets", or a bicycle with a front storage to transport children, cargo or...

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... dogs

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Even Christmas Dogs!

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Though sometimes we have bicycle traffic jams

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2. We have some of the most beautiful architecture

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The houses in the old city center are fairy tale pretty

And the new buildings are quite magnificent

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Just look at this structure, it's like the aliens have graced us with a visit.

And then there are the houseboats

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Like this one

Where you can live on the water penthouse style

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3. Our Markets are the best!

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There's the Dappermarkt which National Geographic picked, in 2007, as one of the top ten in the world.

The Albert Cuyp market is like an open air bazaar

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The organic farmer's market every Saturday

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There are dozens of markets to choose from in Amsterdam.

4. Amazing street food

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Raw herring is a staple of Dutch gastronomy, sold in street stalls, markets and food trucks.

There is a Doner Kebab shop in every neighborhood

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Poffertjes are mini pancakes smothered in butter and powdered sugar

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The street food is so amazing that there is even an annual festival of food trucks

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Rollende Keukens (Kitchens on wheels), a long weekend where food trucks offer their best dishes. And there are multiple stages with local bands playing music from early in the morning till late in the evening. Did I mention it's free? It is, you just pay for the food you eat.

5. The Canals! Amsterdam is full of canals

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There are so many bridges and canals that look beautiful at any time of the day or night, no matter the season.

Some of them are 400+ years old

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And in winter, you can ice skate on the canals!

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6. We have some of the best festivals and events!

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Amsterdam's Pride is like no other because it's a parade of floats on the canals.

The Dutch Defense Ministry sponsors a boat

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In 2011, they invited Lt. Dan Choi, who had been discharged from the U.S. Army for being an outspoken critic of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

On Queen's Day, the entire city takes on the canals again

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This year Queen Beatrix abdicated in favor of her son Willem-Alexander who is now King of The Netherlands so, from 2014, we will have King's Day where the usual displays of Orange will continue. The rest of the city becomes a gigantic flea market where the locals get to sell or barter clothes, housewares, books or basically anything they hope to get rid of.

Lovers of classical music get to enjoy the Grachtenfestival

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The Grachtenfestival (Canal Festival) is an annual event of classical music concerts. The festival closes on its last weekend with a free concert in one of the canals where people attend either by boat or standing in the bridges and surrounding streets.

We also celebrate Caribbean culture

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Keti Koti is the yearly festival that celebrates the end of slavery in former and current Dutch colonies. Initiated by the Surinamese community living in The Netherlands, the festival has grown to become a celebration of Dutch Caribbean culture and heritage with music, food and diverse artistic expressions.

During the Christmas season we enjoy the Light Festival

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During the Light Festival the city looks like this

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And we get yet another canal parade, with winter themed floats

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Now that summer is coming, Amsterdam gets ready for its open air cinema festival

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Since 2003, Amsterdam organizes the Pluk de Nacht film festival where we get to enjoy films on beach chairs for free.

Amsterdam, a city with a personality

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Or should we say, a city where personalities can express themselves.