Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of Europe's most enchanting capitals, where 17th-century canal houses line waterways crossed by hundreds of bridges, and bicycles outnumber cars. This compact city packs an incredible punch with world-class museums and a famously open-minded attitude.

The city's museum district is remarkable. The Rijksmuseum houses Dutch masterpieces including Rembrandt's Night Watch, while the Van Gogh Museum holds the world's largest collection of the artist's work. The deeply moving Anne Frank House provides a powerful reminder of WWII history.