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Although there is evidence that there may have been inhabitants from Roman times shown by Roman coins and artifacts found in the area, no human settlement has been found around Amsterdam. However, the area is a soggy, swampy area, so the remains likely disappeared into the swamps centuries ago. Around the 12th century, farmers and fisherman moved to the area and began to build dams in order to dry out the area. These are the first inhabitants of whom we have actual records.

After 1300, the city became a thriving area due to the trade routes running through it. With the influx of money, class and social struggles began causing many disturbances in and around the city. Catholic aristocrats and Protestant merchants fought for power both in the economic and religious arenas. Eventually the Calvinists took the city from Phillip II, Spain’s Catholic monarch. The next year seven northern provinces, including Amsterdam, declared themselves an independent republic. The new country, Holland, was led by William of Orange from whom the current royal family descended.

From 1580 to 1740, Amsterdam lived its Golden Age. Antwerp, the largest trading rival, was taken by Spain at this time, and its ability to trade became extremely limited. Within twenty years, Amsterdam dominated the seas in trading and fishing and by the 17th century they expanded their interests overseas. Later in the 18th century, money became the primary trade of the area and fishing completely ended in the 19th century when Amsterdam was taken by the French and blockaded by the British. Amsterdam was not set free until the French left in 1814 by which time Britain had become the ruler of the seas.

After the years lost from the sea, Amsterdam began to become an industrial centre. The population expanded as the city became involved in railways and steel production. The city survived WWI well as part of the Netherlands, a neutral country. However, in the 1930s, the depression hit the city hard with a 25% unemployment rate, a hard time after the good times of the 1920s highlighted by the 1928 Olympic Games.

During WWII, the Netherlands tried to stay neutral, but Amsterdam was occupied by Germany in the 1940s and saw war for the first time in 400 years. By the end of the war, only one in 16 of the Amsterdam Jews had survived. In 1945, after years of turmoil and a disappearing population, the city was finally liberated. The city remained quiet until it became a city full of radical, revolutionary ideas in the 1960s. The Provos led student rallies for greater women’s rights and hippies arrived to the area. There was a riot involving squatters stopping the demolition of cheap, inner city housing.

The 1980s brought more liberal thought coming hand-in-hand with radical social and political policies. Small businesses appeared increasingly during the 1990s creating a positive economy within the city. Amsterdam has become even more diverse in recent years as high-income expatriates flock to the city.

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	Keukenhof Gardens Day Trip, Amsterdam Canal Ride and Van Gogh Museum City: Amsterdam - Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes Start the morning with a tour to the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens, one of Holland's top attractions, then head back to Amsterdam to glide down the Amstel River in a traditional canal boat. Finally, explore the Van Gogh Museum collection of modern art at your leisure. You'll see the best of Amsterdam's culture and sights in one day! and even better, enjoy a 20% discount when you buy these three tours in this way.Special Offer - When you book this trip you are guaranteed to save up to 20% compared to booking the two tours separately - BOOK NOW! more...	Price p/p From 47EUR
	Amsterdam Bike Rental City: Amsterdam - Duration: Flexible You'll fall in love with Amsterdam as you pedal and explore the city at your own pace. With highly competitive prices, choose from 3 hours to 7 day bike rental options. The collection point is conveniently located 5 minutes walk from Amsterdam Central Station. Even better, with bike rental regularly selling out weeks in advance throughout peak season, you can rest assured knowing that you have pre-booked and pre-paid for your bike, guaranteeing fast, hassle-free collection. So whether you need bike rental for a few hours or several days, book ahead of time to avoid disappointment. more...	Price p/p From 8EUR
	Amsterdam Canal Bus Hop On Hop Off Day Pass and Heineken Experience City: Amsterdam - Duration: 1 day Go for the combo: a 24 hour Amsterdam Canal Bus Pass and admission to the Heineken Experience. You'll find getting around Amsterdam's a breeze with your hop-on hop-off Canal Bus Day Pass, and your visit to the Heineken Experience will reveal the tradition and craft behind one of the most famous names in brewing history! more...	Price p/p From 39EUR
	Amsterdam Canal Bus Hop on Hop Off Day Pass and Rijksmuseum City: Amsterdam - Duration: 1 day Canal Bus provides the ideal transport along the canals of Amsterdam. The boats operate a regular service along the canals on three routes: the Green Line, the Red Line and the Blue Line. more...	Price p/p From 28EUR
	Amsterdam Canal Bus Hop-On Hop-Off City: Amsterdam - Duration: 24 or 48 hour pass Getting around Amsterdam is a breeze with a hop-on hop-off Canal Bus Day Pass. The boats operate a regular service along Amsterdam's canals, following three routes: the Green Line, Red Line and Blue Line. While you cruise, an on-board commentary provides interesting information about Amsterdam. more...	Price p/p From 19EUR
	Amsterdam Canals Candlelight Cruise City: Amsterdam - Duration: 2 hours What could be more romantic than a candlelit cruise along the twinkling canals of Amsterdam? It's the perfect start to an evening of wine and food in Amsterdam, the city of diamonds and romance! more...	Price p/p From 28EUR
	Amsterdam Canals Dinner Cruise City: Amsterdam - Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes Combine wining, dining and sightseeing on this luxury four-course dinner cruise along Amsterdam's beautifully illuminated canals. What better way to spend the evening in Amsterdam! more...	Price p/p From 66EUR
	Amsterdam Canals Pizza Cruise City: Amsterdam - Duration: 90 minutes Sail along Amsterdam's stunning canals at twilight and enjoy a delicious pizza as you cruise. This evening tour is the perfect introduction to Amsterdam, and great fun for all the family! more...	Price p/p From 33EUR
	Amsterdam Cannabis Walking Tour City: Amsterdam - Duration: 2 hours Expand your knowledge of marijuana in the capital of cannabis, with an entertaining guided walking tour through Amsterdam's world-famous coffee shops. From medicinal to recreational use, your guide will share interesting facts about this controversial plant. more...	Price p/p From 23EUR
	Amsterdam City Sightseeing Tour City: Amsterdam - Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes Get your bearings in Amsterdam on this comprehensive, 2.5-hour introductory tour. Perfect for first-time visitors, the tours run in the morning leaving you free time to explore Amsterdam on your own in the afternoon. You also have the option of combining the tour with a delightful one-hour canal cruise for an all-inclusive introduction to this magical city of canals and gabled houses. more...	Price p/p From 18EUR
	Amsterdam Countryside Bike Tour City: Amsterdam - Duration: 4 hours See Amsterdam like a local on a tour by bicycle! Whether it's your first or fifth time in Amsterdam, this bike tour is the perfect way to discover the stunning Amsterdam countryside at a leisurely pace. more...	Price p/p From 26EUR
	Amsterdam Culinary Snack Bike Tour City: Amsterdam - Duration: 3 hours Experience Amsterdam's culinary delights using the city's easiest and most fun mode of transport - bicycle! Escorted by an experienced guide, you'll glide through the beautiful medieval town center of Amsterdam and visit authentically Dutch places to eat and drink, sampling local treats that most tourists never get to try. more...	Price p/p From 31EUR
	Amsterdam Dinner Canal Cruise City: Amsterdam - Duration: 2 hours Whilst in Amsterdam spend your evening on the canal on this unique dinner cruise. Admire the illuminated buildings and scenic sights on board this luxurious vessel while enjoying a delectable dinner. more...	Price p/p From 56EUR
	Amsterdam Historical City Bike Tour City: Amsterdam - Duration: 3 hours Join the locals and see Amsterdam the Dutch way by exploring the city by bike! Escorted by a local guide, you'll see all the famous sights as well as hidden gems away from the main tourist areas. more...	Price p/p From 18EUR
	Amsterdam Pub Crawl City: Amsterdam - Duration: 6 hours Do you like to party? Book Amsterdam's most famous pub crawl and party like never before. This walking tour is the ultimate way to discover the city and its numerous bars and nightclubs. You'll meet other travelers and share your stories over a drink or two. more...	Price p/p From 14EUR
	Amsterdam Red Light District Walking Tour City: Amsterdam - Duration: 2 hours Take a walk on the wild side with a guided walking tour through Dark Amsterdam, the infamous Red Light District. Accompanied by a friendly and knowledgeable local, you'll tour the area in safety for an enlightening and illuminating experience! more...	Price p/p From 20EUR
	Amsterdam Super Saver 1: Keukenhof Gardens Day Trip and Amsterdam City Tour City: Amsterdam - Duration: 9 hours Amsterdam Super Saver 1 combines two best selling tours at a discounted price. Get your bearings in Amsterdam on a comprehensive 2.5-hour tour and visit Keukenhof Gardens, one of Holland's top attractions. The tour to Keukenhof Gardens offers plenty of free time to explore and admire the magnificent display of seven million tulips. Even better, you'll enjoy a 10% discount when you buy these tours in this way.Special Offer - When you book this trip you are guaranteed to save up to 10% compared to booking the two tours separately - BOOK NOW! more...	Price p/p From 47EUR
	Amsterdam Super Saver 2: Windmills, Delft, The Hague and Madurodam Day Trip City: Amsterdam - Duration: 9 hours 30 minutes Amsterdam Super Saver 2 combines two best selling tours at a discounted price. Start the morning with a tour to Zaanse Schans Windmills, Marken and Volendam before spending the afternoon in Delft, The Hague and Madurodam. If time is tight and you'd like to travel beyond Amsterdam, this full-day super saver tour gives you a delicious taste of Holland. Even better, you'll enjoy a 10% discount when you buy these tours in this way.Special Offer - When you book this trip you are guaranteed to save up to 15% compared to booking the two tours separately - BOOK NOW! more...	Price p/p From 54EUR
	Amsterdam Super Saver 3: City Tour, Zaanse Schans Windmills, Volendam and Marken Day Trip City: Amsterdam - Duration: 9 hours Amsterdam Super Saver 3 combines two best selling tours at a discounted price. See highlights of Amsterdam, then travel into the Dutch countryside to visit the famous windmill and fishing villages of Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken. You'll see the best of Holland, old and new, in one day! Even better, you'll enjoy a 10% discount when you buy these tours in this way.Special Offer - When you book this trip you are guaranteed to save up to 20% compared to booking the two tours separately - BOOK NOW! more...	Price p/p From 40EUR
	Boom Chicago Show in Amsterdam City: Amsterdam - Duration: 2 hours Located in the historic 280 seat Leidseplein Theater, in the heart of Amsterdam, Boom Chicago performs seven nights a week. The English-language comedy shows are an exhilarating mix of sharp writing, quick improvisation, music, video and spectacle. Boom Chicago is especially known for their improvisation that incorporates suggestions from the audience and the issues of the day. Get ready to laugh! Before the performance, Head Chef Dave Cahill serves a delicious dinner. more...	Price p/p From 58EUR

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