Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, and famous for its elegant architecture, canals, and night life - and also infamous for its nightlife and red light district. The city is located in North Holland and is the biggest city in the Netherlands, although the Dutch Parliament is located in The Hague. The city centre is the oldest part of Amsterdam and Dam Square is the focal point of activity and is where the canals, coffee shops and shops branch out from. Dutch people are well known for their laid back attitude to life - and Amsterdam has a reputation for tolerance, however things are changing with the government starting to take a stricter line on certain activities in the capital. Despite its 'louche' reputation, Amsterdam has plenty of attractions and activities to keep the family happy.

Anne Frank House has to be high on any itinerary during a trip to Amstersdam. Anne Frank was the Jewish girl who famously kept a diary whilst hiding in the back of the house, and the site is now a museum dedicated not only to her life of persecution but to other forms of discrimination.

The Rijksmuseum is home to an important collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jan Steen and Frans Hals. Vermeer's 'The Milkmaid' and Rembrandt's 'Night Watch' are just two of the works displayed here.

The Van Gogh Museum features the largest collection of the 20^th century impressionist's works including paintings and drawings. There are more than 200 paintings and 500 drawings by Van Gogh, and many of his contemporaries including Gauguin, Toulouse Lautrec and Monet. The museum is located to the South of Amsterdam, easily reached by tram.

The Vodka Museum Amsterdam is an interesting and unusual attraction located in a former townhouse close to the entrance to the city. Visitors can take a personal tour around the museum which is situated over three floors, in order to hear all about the history of vodka, how it is produced, and information about the various types of vodka there are. For visitors who have built up a thirst a free sample is provided at the end of the tour.

The Waag (Weigh) House is worth a look, dating back to 1488, when it helped to fortify the city. Later it became the main weigh house, and upstairs was taken over by the surgeons' guild who commissioned Rembrandt's 'Anatomy Lesson of Dr Tulip'. Public executions also took place here, and the building has also acted as a fire station and vault.

Madame Tussauds Amsterdam is a testament to who's who in Holland at any particular moment in time. Whether you love it or hate it the kids will enjoy viewing these incredibly realistic wax characters, some of whom talk - and at the start you will be introduced to some Dutch history. Like all Tussauds attractions the tickets are somewhat pricey, and it's highly recommended to book tickets ahead to miss the lengthy queues.

The Diamond Museum takes visitors through the history of Amsterdam's role in the diamond trade. A diamond factory tour is also available next door at Coster Diamonds, the company which owns the museum - where you can see diamond cutters working and learn the processes involved in producing the diamonds we wear.

The Rembrandt Museum contains over 250 of the master painter's etchings, as well as a fascinating collection of his possessions including weapons, military helmets and seashells! Tickets can be bought in advance.

April 30 is Queensday, a national holiday in celebration of the Queen's birthday, when the entire city turns orange. All the inhabitants of Amsterdam,plus up to one million from elsewhere in the country dress in orange, and the city is packed with impromptu flea markets, street parties, live music and renowned DJs.

In May there is a modern art fair which takes place in the RAI Exhibition and Conference Centre.

In June the famous Holland Festival attracts world class performers in the area of opera, music, dance and theatre. In the same month 'A Taste of Amsterdam' showcases the cuisine of local chefs, and also, 'The Open Garden Days' allows visitors a glimpse behind the entrances to Amsterdam's canal houses, and canal boats are laid on to take you from one participating canal house garden to another.

July sees Amsterdam International Fashion Week which allows up and coming fashion designers to show off their designs.

Canal Pride takes place in August, one of Amsterdam's biggest festivals, with workshops, performances, plus a boat parade at the Prinsengracht which is highly recommended.

In October the Amsterdam Dance Event takes place, featuring electronic music, attracting fans of the house and techno scene. Not for the fainthearted this event involves four nights of hard partying.

A canal cruise is a must during a vacation in Amsterdam - and you can choose from a wide selection including the 'Lovers Canal Cruise' which starts opposite the Rijksmuseum, and an Amsterdam Jewel Cruise, an evening cruise which includes a three course meal. Even if you don't opt for a specialist cruise, make sure to take the Canal Bus which drops visitors at the main attractions. Or, if you are feeling particularly adventurous why not hire a Gondola or a two-seater canal bike.

There are 55 cinemas in Amsterdam so film buffs are well catered for, and for shopping facilities head for the main shopping streets which are located near Central Station. The most up market shopping area in Amsterdam is on P.C. Hoofstraat, close to the Rijksmuseum. Some fascinating antiquarian shops can be found on the streets branching off the main canals, including Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht and the Herengracht.

Amsterdam can be a rainy place to holiday in, being the 4^th wettest place in Europe. Summer temperatures get as high, on average, as 21 ^o C during the day, and drop down to 11 ^o C to 13 ^o C in the night. July and August are the warmest months, and temps can get up to the 30s at times. Winters in Amsterdam rarely see temperatures dropping below freezing for sustained periods of time, with December to February averaging at around 5 ^o C.

Amsterdam's Schipol airport is one of the busiest airports in the world and it is situated 10 miles southwest of the city centre. There is a direct train service from Amsterdam Central Station to the airport which takes around 20 minutes, and there are around four or five trains an hour all day and throughout the night. Taxis are also available from the airport but are quite expensive, with a journey time of up to an hour depending on traffic.

Getting around Amsterdam is a breeze and the best way is by bike or on foot - most tourist attractions are less than a half an hour's walk from the central railway station. The city is extremely bike-friendly with most streets having bike lanes, and there are plenty of places to rent a bicycle.

Otherwise the tramway system is the main public transport in the city, and a metro which has a short underground section, or there is the option to hire a 'tuk tuk' which is a fairly economical way to get around the city.

1. New Amsterdam Tours are guided tours of the city centre which are free, plus the Amsterdam Tourist Office run some free guided walking tours.

2. Amsterdam's Public Library is a great place to head for on a wet afternoon. Europe's biggest public library offers visitors international newspapers, free internet access, as well as a café which features spectacular panoramic views over the city.

3. NEMO Panorama Terrace is situated in the NEMO Science Museum - the terrace is located on the roof and visitors can sit on the deckchairs provided and enjoy the views over the Museum Haven and surroundings.

4. Vondelpark Open Air Theatre is free and visitors can watch performances and catch a concert here during the summer, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

5. The Rijksmuseum Garden features a fascinating collection of architecture and is free to the public when the museum is open.

6. Amsterdam Diamond Centre is home to shops full of sparkling jewels, and is as much of an attraction to tourists as the many museums and coffee shops. Located in the Jodenburt area, the centre is open from 10am until 6pm.

Amsterdam uses the Euro as currency in denominations of up to 500 Euros - however many restaurants and shops will not accept notes as high as 500, and some reluctant to accept even 100 or 200 Euro notes.

As in many European cities it is optional to leave a tip in a restaurant in Amsterdam, but tips are always appreciated. Unless a service charge is included a 10-15% gratuity would be about the norm.

ATMs are widely available in the capital, which dispense up to 50 Euro notes. Money can be exchanged at banks with the 'GWK' Bank near Central Station having good exchange rates, plus this is open 24 hours. When using your credit card at the ATMs look out for any charges which may be applied.