| Holland is seen by most people as a lively | | | | or try to get a flight from one of the budget |
| country, with the commercial capital | | | | airlines, and then a short train journey to |
| Amsterdam, viewed as a party city. With its | | | | either of the 't Harde or Lelystad stations, |
| ring system of canals and waterways, and all | | | | where free shuttle buses await to take party |
| the world-famous museums and historical | | | | goers to the site. |
| sights which punctuate the city, Amsterdam is | | | | |
| regarded as one of the most romantic cities | | | | This year is the 30th birthday of the Kwakoe |
| in Europe. A city of beauty, diversity and | | | | festival. This is an extended multicultural |
| tolerance, Amsterdam possesses all the | | | | event which takes place each weekend in July |
| attractions of a big city but is relatively | | | | and August and is located in the Bijlmer |
| small, quiet, and unspoilt by road traffic. | | | | region of Amsterdam. The festival itinerary |
| During the months of May to September the | | | | includes music, sports, films, food, dancing |
| city opens itself up to visitors in even | | | | and a variety of cultural events. |
| greater numbers as the party feel cranks up a | | | | |
| notch and festival season kicks in. | | | | De Parade is yet another Amsterdam festival |
| | | | event this summer, and can be found in Martin |
| Dancevalley is a three day long dance | | | | Luther King Park. Similar in style to a |
| festival which takes place on the outskirts | | | | small Edinburgh festival, De Parade mixes |
| of Amsterdam in the Spaanwoude nature reserve | | | | culture, art, theatre, comedy, food, music |
| during mid July. Featuring some of the best | | | | and a fair ground ambiance, and is a great |
| dance acts and DJ's in the world this is a | | | | way to spend a warm summer night with a cold |
| great festival, and with the Prodigy signed | | | | beer or a glass of wine. |
| up for this year's event, it is guaranteed to | | | | |
| be one of the biggest European music | | | | The summer months also see Amsterdam's |
| festivals. | | | | Vondelpark transformed, by daily live theatre |
| | | | and musical concerts, to become a hive of |
| The Lowlands festival in August focuses on | | | | activity and entertainment both during the |
| alternative music, but also offers a full | | | | day and throughout the evening. |
| stand-up comedy programme, along with visual | | | | |
| arts, literature, film and theatre events. | | | | As a destination for a quick weekend away or |
| Situated near to an artificial island in the | | | | a fully fledged holiday, Amsterdam is a great |
| middle of Holland called Flevoland, the | | | | city to visit, and during the summer it |
| easiest way to get to the festival is to take | | | | really comes alive. |
| a flight to Amsterdam, with British Airways | | | | |