Amsterdam is a great city.  The Netherlands was clearly a very wealthy country at one time and unlike many previously wealthy states they have preserved their magnificent infrastructure well.

The museums and art galleries are wonderful.  Amsterdam is a modern city, yet has kept many of its old buildings well.  The canals, of course, are a major attraction also.

The Rijkmuseum is a major attraction.  Not for its Renaissance art or the voluptuous nudes or the religious artwork, although there is much of that. 

For me it is the wonderful landscapes, like a couple chosen almost at random here:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were also some surprises:

 

Here are a pair of musical instruments: count the strings on the bass viol – there are 6!

Look at the size of the violin!

 

 

 

 

Now look at this aeroplane from the early 20th Century:  What’s the most unusual thing you notice about it?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It has a motor with seven-cylinders !!!

The rijksmuseum is full of such surprises, as well as full of wonderful artwork.