There are as many reasons to travel to Amsterdam as there are people who go. Capital of the Netherlands, and one of Europe's most vibrant and varied cities, Amsterdam offers an unparalleled combination of high culture and decadence.

Look once, and it is a pretty European city laced with canals; twice and it becomes a cultural centre with an incredible collection of art. Look for a third time and you will see a decadent party town where anything goes.

So which is the real Amsterdam? The romantic will adore the lazy curves of the city's waterways and enjoy watching from cafés in cobbled streets or picturesque bridges as the mood of the city changes with the weather. Even in the rain there's magic to Amsterdam.

The culture-hungry will soak up the offerings of the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum along with the hundreds of smaller collections the city contains. Amsterdam satisfies a wide range of tastes and displays include everything from the best Dutch Masters to ultra-modern exhibitions.

Then there are the alternative delights which draw their own crowd - some seeking the easy immorality of De Wallen or De Walletjes (the notorious Red Light District), others attracted by the liberal attitude toward soft drugs that are sold in the city's "coffeeshops". For those who are curious, but not tempted to partake, a stroll through De Wallen in the evening is still likely to be an illuminating experience albeit a bit seedy.

In truth the city is a kaleidoscopic mixture of all these things, where visitors can take as much or as little of each element to create a unique experience that is their own Amsterdam.