Top European city breaks? Consider Amsterdam

Autumn is one of the best times of the year to get away for a weekend, and Amsterdam is great for city breaks. Yet, although the city is not known for being especially cheap - particularly during recessionary times - it certainly benefits from its close location and from offering such a number of things to do and see that it really is quite easy to tailor your trip to your budget with a little planning.

Despite much of the city falling into disrepair during and after the war, Amsterdam boasts a diverse and impressive architectural history, which is complimented by the by the unique canals that date from the 17th Century. There are many impressive buildings which date from even earlier however, the Oude Kerk church is the oldest building in the city and dates from the 1300s, while the Begijnhof is a court of houses famed for the tall character-full design and use of wood in their construction.

The centre of Amsterdam is quite impressive in terms of its adhering to its historical design and lack of tall modern structures. Yet throughout there are also examples of Gothic architecture, Renaissance architecture and Art Deco. However, the city does now consist of a significant business district, Zuidas, which has undergone fast development over the last few years.

The Vondelpark is a famous green area in the stadsteel. It is an excellent area to get away from the bustle of the streets for a moment, or longer to perhaps take in its 120 acres of grounds. The park also contains a film museum and an open air theatre, whilst the area around it - Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat and Cornelis Schuytstraat - is home to an excellent number of shops and stores.

The cheapest method of transportation around the city is cycling, and it may well be worth renting a bike. Driving around the city is generally discouraged through high parking fees and heavy investment in public transport and cycle lanes - and subsequently, walking and cycling is generally very safe. The city is also well known for its nightlife and benefits from a diverse multicultural sense of food and drink, as well as a liberal and laid back attitude. It's really no wonder why the city remains so popular all year round.

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Sarah Maple writes for Gohop.ie who offer last minute holidays and cheap holidays.

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