Amsterdam: The Rough Guide, First Edition

From its humble origins as a city crowded around a dam of the Amstel river, Amsterdam has grown up to be one of Europe's most beautiful and well-loved cities. The Rough Guide to Amsterdam is an indispensible tool in discovering the works of Rembrandt and Van Gogh at the Rijksmuseum, navigating your way through the winding streets that follow the flow of the city's canals, and seeking out the hottest nightspots in the Leidseplatz. This guide includes everything you need to know to eat, drink, and sleep in this most intriguing and captivating of cities.

Whether you're looking for the restroom in The Rijksmuseum, free beer at the Heineken Brewery, information at The Prostitution Information Centre, yellow corduroy flares at the Waterlooplein market, a canal bike to cruise the waterways, a primer on Dutch cheese, or where to dial for BBC World Service broadcasts--look no further. Amsterdam: The Rough Guide can help you fulfill these and thousands of other needs.

There are many reasons to visit Amsterdam, not the least of which could be its breath-of-fresh-air qualities compared to the rush of other cities. As the authors explain, "With its tree-lined canals, cobbled streets, tinkling bicycle bells and stately architecture, Amsterdam is a world away from the traffic and noise of other European city centres--clean, modern and quiet, while still retaining a perfectly preserved 400-year-old centre."

The Rough Guide's maps include sights, bars, hotels, restaurants, clubs, and public transport routes. They're easy to read and well-marked and are accompanied by choice-provoking tidbits about places to stay and nearby eateries and drinkeries: "Well-worn but clean rooms awaiting imminent renovation, friendly and helpful staff," "Small, homely and serving delicious pancakes," "Tiny place that looks and feels like an African mud hut, except for the hip-hop beats. Grass specialists."