Central Station Amsterdam
Amsterdam's Central Station was aptly named. It is in the center of nearly everything. If you are flying to Amsterdam you can take a train that will have you at the station in minutes. From there it is a short walk to nearly everything in the city. The neo-Renaissance train station was built by P.J.H. Cuypers, who also designed the Rijksmuseum. The partly gilded reliefs show allegories of maritime trade as a tribute to the city"s past. The station was constructed on an artificial island facing the harbor. This magnificent building in Dutch Renaissance style was completed in 1889 to accommodate the rapidly developing railway system. From here, you can take a train to nearly anywhere in the country, as well as to cities like Berlin and Paris.

In addition to trains, the station houses convenient services such as travel agencies, newstands, bicycle rental, cafes, a drug store, and many cafes and shops. Central Station marks the east/west center of the city and it's a short walking distance to the Red Light District, the Dam Square or the Jordaan. The street leading from Central Station is the Damrak, complete with restaurants, money changers, travel agents, ATM machines, an internet cafe, tour contractors and department stores. Damrak ends at Dam Square, so shopping is very convenient. In fact the street paralleling the Damrak towards the west, the Nieuwendyke, is a mile long shopping street.