Much of Amsterdam's charm comes from the architecture dating from the city's "Golden Age". Amsterdam goes back more than 700 years and a good portion of the central city is 200 to 550 years old. These beautiful old buildings have been wonderfully restored and preserved. It's truly remarkable when you realize most of them are built on stilts stuck into the mud. So many structures lean at odd angles that it's rare to see a whole block in alignment. Many have had to have their supports replaced over the centuries to keep the buildings upright.  Amsterdam, Holland. Photo Copyright © LukeTravels.com™

	Other drawbacks to old Dutch buildings are steep, narrow winding staircases with low ceilings to bump your head into. These staircases make it impossible to bring any large objects into one's house, thus most of these buildings have a hook extending from the top of the building allowing the residents to hoist their larger furnishings up through the windows. Nowadays you can rent an electric ramp that works like an escalator whisking belongings as high as six stories. Amsterdam, Holland. Photo Copyright © LukeTravels.com™

	Amsterdam's Damsquare. Shopping centers and hotels are concentrated in this area of the city. Grand Hotel Krasnopolsky in background. Amsterdam, Holland. Copyright © LukeTravels.com™