Amsterdam Things to Do

As you’d expect from a country that made its wealth out of international trade in spices, and these days is one of the world’s most visited and international cities, Amsterdam has a huge range of foods and flavors. A few things not to miss while you’re there:

The Netherlands made itself rich during the 17th century – the Dutch Golden Age – by trading Asian spices through the Dutch East India Company. For over three centuries (1602-1942) what is now Indonesia was a Dutch colony. It’s not surprising then that Indonesian food is plentiful and excellent in Amsterdam.

One of the most exciting things about Amsterdam is its diversity. Its history as a trading nation has made it very open-minded, especially in terms of food. To really explore this facet and enjoy the thrill of the bargain find, head for Amsterdam’s markets. My top five are:

Beer- and cheese-lovers are right at home in Amsterdam, where Dutch cheeses like Gouda, Edam and Leiden make up a healthy part of the cuisine and Dutch lagers are consumed heartily.