Amsterdam

Having survived conservative makeover attempts, Amsterdam is back to its usual self, welcoming visitors in for a drink, a puff, and a good time with no judgments passed. Amsterdam’s liberal laws on cannabis and prostitution give this city a reputation for promising to make dreams come true. Have a drink in a historic open-air market while people nearby smoke reefers, entertained by a man walking down the street half naked singing Eric Clapton—in Amsterdam it’s all good. The canal lining architecture and cycling culture make this friendly city an inviting place for exploration by day and exciting adventures by night. Home to countless festivals, the city resonates with live music and is crammed with cafes, perfect for spending lazy afternoons drinking wine and listening to jazz or orchestral, techno, or rock music. The red-light district is well worth the perusal of the daring, or for a more conventional day of sight seeing, the Rijksmuseum houses an impressive collection of classical Dutch art. The audacious backpacker, stag party attendee, wine aficionado, or art collector will all feel at home in this culturally rich, but cutting edge city.