From Canals to Hanseatic

Amsterdam is one of those cities that every traveler should have visited at least once in his life. No wonder, millions and millions of tourists flock to the city on the canals every year to enjoy the flood of sights and cultural offerings. The best way to discover Amsterdam is by taking a boat ride along the canals or a walk along the unique canals. Art lovers will be immediately drawn to one of the world-famous museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum or the Van Gogh Museum. Party people will find their happiness in the nightlife and red light district De Wallen. And beer drinkers should by no means miss the Heineken Experience.

Amsterdam combines the unrivaled beauty of the 17th-century Golden Age city center with plenty of museums and art of the highest order, not to mention a remarkably laid-back atmosphere. It all comes together to make this one of the world's most appealing and offbeat metropolises in the world. Built on a latticework of concentric canals like an aquatic rainbow, Amsterdam is known as the City of Canals—but it's no Venice, content to live on moonlight serenades and former glory. Quite the contrary: on nearly every street here you'll find old and new side by side—quiet corners where time seems to be holding its breath next to streets like neon-lit Kalverstraat, and Red Light ladies strutting by the city's oldest church. Indeed, Amsterdam has as many lovely facets as a 40-carat diamond polished by one of the city's gem cutters. It's certainly a metropolis, but a rather small and very accessible one. Locals tend to refer to it as a big village, albeit one that happens to pack the cultural wallop of a major world destination. There are scores of concerts every day, numerous museums, summertime festivals, and, of course, a legendary year-round party scene. It's pretty much impossible to resist Amsterdam's charms. With 7,000 registered monuments, most of which began as the residences and warehouses of humble merchants, set on 160 man-made canals, and traversed by 1,500 or so bridges, Amsterdam has the largest historical inner city in Europe. Its famous circle of waterways, the grachtengordel, was a 17th-century urban expansion plan for the rich and is a lasting testament to the city’s Golden Age. This town is endearing because of its kinder, gentler nature—but a reputation for championing sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll does not alone account for Amsterdam's being one of the most popular destinations in Europe: consider that within a single square mile the city harbors some of the greatest achievements in Western art, from Rembrandt to Van Gogh. Not to mention that this is one of Europe's great walking cities, with so many of its treasures in the untouted details: tiny alleyways barely visible on the map, hidden garden courtyards, shop windows, floating houseboats, hidden hofjes(courtyards with almshouses), sudden vistas of church spires, and gabled roofs that look like so many unframed paintings. And don’t forget that the joy lies in details: elaborate gables and witty gable stones denoting the trade of a previous owner. Keep in mind that those XXX symbols you see all over town are not a mark of the city's triple-X reputation. They're part of Amsterdam's official coat of arms—three St. Andrew's crosses, believed to represent the three dangers that have traditionally plagued the city: flood, fire, and pestilence. The coat's motto ("Valiant, determined, compassionate") was introduced in 1947 by Queen Wilhelmina in remembrance of the 1941 February Strike in Amsterdam—the first time in Europe that non-Jewish people protested against the persecution of Jews by the Nazi regime.

The idyllic small town of Enkhuizen, located in North Holland, offers its visitors a variety of historical buildings and monuments. The charming location on the water also invites you to take a walk along the ramparts, the harbor or even the canals. A visit to the Zuiderzee Museum is worthwhile to get an insight into the history of what was once the most prosperous place in the Netherlands.

The idyllic small town of Enkhuizen, located in North Holland, offers its visitors a variety of historical buildings and monuments. The charming location on the water also invites you to take a walk along the ramparts, the harbor or even the canals. A visit to the Zuiderzee Museum is worthwhile to get an insight into the history of what was once the most prosperous place in the Netherlands.

Lemmer in the Netherlands is an important Frisian water sports location. The tranquil port town is also popular in winter due to numerous parking lots that have been converted into ice skating rinks. Visitors are interested in the impressive technology of the world's last working steam bailer, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lemmer Canal, with its cozy cafes and restaurants, invites visitors to stroll along the pier. Of historical interest is the Hervormde Kerk. The plain church with half-hourly chimes dates from 1716 and commemorates fallen soldiers with its memorial plaque. Lemmer's landmark, the Lemster Zeesluis, has rightly become a national monument as a monumental lock. To this day, it is a reminder of the once hard life of local fishermen and sailors. While die-hard bikers love the Tony Leenes Indian Motorcycle Museum, sun worshippers and sports enthusiasts swear by the fine sandy Lemmer beach.

Lemmer in the Netherlands is an important Frisian water sports location. The tranquil port town is also popular in winter due to numerous parking lots that have been converted into ice skating rinks. Visitors are interested in the impressive technology of the world's last working steam bailer, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lemmer Canal, with its cozy cafes and restaurants, invites visitors to stroll along the pier. Of historical interest is the Hervormde Kerk. The plain church with half-hourly chimes dates from 1716 and commemorates fallen soldiers with its memorial plaque. Lemmer's landmark, the Lemster Zeesluis, has rightly become a national monument as a monumental lock. To this day, it is a reminder of the once hard life of local fishermen and sailors. While die-hard bikers love the Tony Leenes Indian Motorcycle Museum, sun worshippers and sports enthusiasts swear by the fine sandy Lemmer beach.

The university city of Groningen in the Netherlands is the largest city in the north of the country with over 200,000 inhabitants. Its streets and squares invite you to stroll with buildings worth seeing such as the grain exchange, the city hall, the synagogue or some old town houses. Along canal A in the old harbor district you can also still find many well-preserved warehouses. During a visit to a café, the hustle and bustle on the water and on the shore can be observed here in a relaxed manner..   For those who want to enjoy a view over the city, a climb up the Martinitoren is recommended. The associated Martinikerk on the market square Grote Markt is the oldest and also the largest house of worship in Groningen. Museum lovers also get their money's worth in the city. The Groninger Museum impresses not only with the extensive collection of exhibits, but also with its exceptional architecture.

The university city of Groningen in the Netherlands is the largest city in the north of the country with over 200,000 inhabitants. Its streets and squares invite you to stroll with buildings worth seeing such as the grain exchange, the city hall, the synagogue or some old town houses. Along canal A in the old harbor district you can also still find many well-preserved warehouses. During a visit to a café, the hustle and bustle on the water and on the shore can be observed here in a relaxed manner..   For those who want to enjoy a view over the city, a climb up the Martinitoren is recommended. The associated Martinikerk on the market square Grote Markt is the oldest and also the largest house of worship in Groningen. Museum lovers also get their money's worth in the city. The Groninger Museum impresses not only with the extensive collection of exhibits, but also with its exceptional architecture.

Leer is a historic town in Lower Saxony, Germany, located approximately 17–21 kilometers (10–13 miles) north of Papenburg. Often called the "Gateway to East Frisia," it is known for its maritime heritage, tea culture, and well-preserved Old Town.

Papenburg is located in the Emsland region of Lower Saxony and is home to around 35,000 people. The German city is best known for its well-preserved old town area. Numerous canals run through it, which have led to the nickname "Venice of the North". Around the main canal located here, there are stores with souvenirs, decorative items, clothing and much more. Also the gastronomic offer at the popular promenade leaves nothing to be desired. If you have enough time, you can explore the city from the water and take part in a harbor tour. It offers special insights into the architecture and history of the city. One of the oldest buildings in Papenburg is the Bockwindmühle. It was built in 1709 and is one of the most visited sights in the city area. Also exciting is a visit to the Meyer Werft shipyard located here with its own exhibition on shipbuilding.

Papenburg is located in the Emsland region of Lower Saxony and is home to around 35,000 people. The German city is best known for its well-preserved old town area. Numerous canals run through it, which have led to the nickname "Venice of the North". Around the main canal located here, there are stores with souvenirs, decorative items, clothing and much more. Also the gastronomic offer at the popular promenade leaves nothing to be desired. If you have enough time, you can explore the city from the water and take part in a harbor tour. It offers special insights into the architecture and history of the city. One of the oldest buildings in Papenburg is the Bockwindmühle. It was built in 1709 and is one of the most visited sights in the city area. Also exciting is a visit to the Meyer Werft shipyard located here with its own exhibition on shipbuilding.

Bollingerfähr refers primarily to the Schleuse Bollingerfähr (Bollingerfähr Lock), a shipping lock on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. It is located in the municipality of Heede, in the Emsland district of Lower Saxony, Germany.

With about 170,000 inhabitants, Oldenburg, located on the Weser tributary Hunte and about 50 kilometers east of Bremen, is the largest city in northwestern Lower Saxony. The charming urban area is embedded in a landscape defined by moderately hilly Geest, moors and marshlands. As a residential city and government metropolis of sovereign and semi-sovereign state entities such as the Grand Duchy (1814 - 1918) or the Free State (1918 - 1946), the Hunte port city was and is of great historical importance for its region. A significance that visitors to Oldenburg can trace on a tour of the city center. At the top of the list of historically significant sights is Oldenburg Castle. Built in the Middle Ages and rebuilt several times, it is now a museum that invites visitors to stroll through the history of the monarchy, cultural history and art. But also the old bell tower Lappan (15th century), one of the landmarks of the university town, and the oldest town house, the Schlaue Haus (16th century), which today serves on the Schlossplatz as a state-of-the-art event center for technology knowledge, are definitely worth a visit.

With about 170,000 inhabitants, Oldenburg, located on the Weser tributary Hunte and about 50 kilometers east of Bremen, is the largest city in northwestern Lower Saxony. The charming urban area is embedded in a landscape defined by moderately hilly Geest, moors and marshlands. As a residential city and government metropolis of sovereign and semi-sovereign state entities such as the Grand Duchy (1814 - 1918) or the Free State (1918 - 1946), the Hunte port city was and is of great historical importance for its region. A significance that visitors to Oldenburg can trace on a tour of the city center. At the top of the list of historically significant sights is Oldenburg Castle. Built in the Middle Ages and rebuilt several times, it is now a museum that invites visitors to stroll through the history of the monarchy, cultural history and art. But also the old bell tower Lappan (15th century), one of the landmarks of the university town, and the oldest town house, the Schlaue Haus (16th century), which today serves on the Schlossplatz as a state-of-the-art event center for technology knowledge, are definitely worth a visit.

The port city of Bremerhaven offers everything a mariner's heart desires. Besides the harbor, where many modern and old ships are docked, the German Maritime Museum enlightens about the maritime past and concisely refers to the relationship between man and the sea. Characterized by a distinctive atmosphere, you can have an exciting experience in the Klimahaus Bremerhaven. Here you are offered the opportunity to feel the different climate zones of the world. These distinctive and realistic effects, make you believe you are really in Antarctica or in the South American jungle - an event for young and old. The Bremerhaven is thus the port city of Germany and a must for every fan of ships and seas.

Bremerhaven was founded in 1139. In 1827 the decision was taken to make this small fishing town a huge deep-sea port, and today Bremerhaven, along with Bremen, forms the smallest of Germany’s federal states. This busy port is still part of the municipality of Bremen, and half of Germany’s fishing fleet deposit their catch here. Bremerhaven’s lighthouse, a famous landmark, dates back to 1853 and is the oldest working lighthouse on Germany's mainland North Sea coast. Bremerhaven is home to the German Shipping Museum, founded in 1971, which houses many interesting exhibits including a well-preserved 14th-century Hanseatic trading vessel, found at the bottom of the River Weser during dredging operations. Another attraction is the German Migration Museum, which tells the stories of Germans who migrated to the New World and of foreigners who have made their homes in Germany.

The city of Bremen, together with its northern offshoot Bremerhaven, forms the smallest German federal state. The focal point and landmark of Germany's eleventh-largest city is Bremen's Roland, a statue of Roland on the central market square, which was erected in 1404. The Roland stands directly in front of the Gothic-style Bremen Town Hall, together with which it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. At the town hall, visitors will also find the Bremen Town Musicians, who are famous far beyond the city limits and are not just a great photo opportunity. Touching the donkey's front legs is said to make a wish come true. On the Schlachte, the historic waterfront promenade on the Weser, guests can end their visit with a leisurely stroll or in one of the many bars, cafés and restaurants.

The city of Bremen, together with its northern offshoot Bremerhaven, forms the smallest German federal state. The focal point and landmark of Germany's eleventh-largest city is Bremen's Roland, a statue of Roland on the central market square, which was erected in 1404. The Roland stands directly in front of the Gothic-style Bremen Town Hall, together with which it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. At the town hall, visitors will also find the Bremen Town Musicians, who are famous far beyond the city limits and are not just a great photo opportunity. Touching the donkey's front legs is said to make a wish come true. On the Schlachte, the historic waterfront promenade on the Weser, guests can end their visit with a leisurely stroll or in one of the many bars, cafés and restaurants.