DABBLING WITH THE DUTCH


AMSTERDAMAT ITS FINEST A


BY MARJOLEIN LLOYD


lthough the Netherlands and its capital Amsterdam are best known for


the numerous canals, historic windmills, colourful tulips, delicious cheeses, and the traditional wooden shoes, there is so much more to be seen in the city known as “The Venice of the North”.


Amsterdam is the largest city in the Netherlands, with today’s population exceeding 784,000 within the city limits, and a metropolitan population of 2.1 million people, but it came from humble beginnings. Amsterdam was founded as a fishing village in the 13th


century, when


fishermen built a dam across the Amstel River. Rapid development during the


century laid the foundation for the Golden Age of Amsterdam. In fact, some historic buildings that visitors can enjoy today date back to this era.


15th


BUSINESS IS BOOMING Home to the oldest stock exchange in the world, Amsterdam is no stranger to big business. In fact, according to the European Cities Monitor, Amsterdam is ranked number four among the best European cities to do business in. This is evident with the numerous large corporations and banks that have their headquarters in the city including Royal Bank of Scotland, ING Group, Philips, TomTom, and of course Heineken International.


GETTING THERE WestJet has an interline agreement with Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) whereby you can travel on one of many WestJet flights from YLW to Vancouver, Calgary or Toronto to connect onto one of KLM’s flights to Amsterdam. KLM has an unilateral codeshare agreement with WestJet, meaning a KLM guest can book a flight with KLM from YLW straight through to Amsterdam on a KLM itinerary. Though the initial leg or legs of this routing would be on a WestJet aircraft, the guest’s itinerary would display the flight as a KLM flight.


If you are looking for a truly unique itinerary organized by an Okanagan based company who know the local flavour of the Netherlands, check out the ad for EuropeLives.com on the next page.


A view of the Reguliersgracht on the corner with the Keizersgracht 8 | YLW CONNECTION


Massimo Catarinella


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