Touring Canals by Bus

The central portion of Amsterdam is ringed by four main canals, with numerous offshoots and smaller canal that crisscross the city.  While I've never been to Venice and cannot begin to make a comparison, the canals certainly help define this city.  Amsterdam's canals are dotted with numerous small boats that residents dock near their homes -- then there are the houseboats that line some of the canals where people literally live on the water.

The Canal Bus company offers a hop-on/hop-off tour of Amsterdam via three different routes through the canals of the city.  Of course, you're not actually on a bus, but a flat-bottomed boat designed to pass through low narrow openings under most of the City's 1,250 bridges.  This is a great way to see Amsterdam, as you pass by many of the City's major sites.  We really enjoyed the perspective of seeing the City from water level as well as the convenience of getting to some of the places we wanted to see.

I think this picture captures the essence of canal life in Amsterdam.  Homes line the narrow streets along the canal with boats docked along the side.  This scene repeats itself throughout the city, which only adds to its appeal and charm.