During the summer, bright and sunny days are often preceded by morning rains. Rain is very sporadic and arrives when least expected, so one should always be prepared with wet weather gear. Temperatures in Amsterdam range from somewhere around freezing temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit and zero degrees Celsius in the wintertime all the way up to 77 degrees Fahrenheit and 25 degrees Celsius in the summertime.

In Amsterdam, the weather is so unpredictable that it is impossible to plan a trip around “good” weather. Instead, good weather will likely come in spurts throughout your trip, particularly during the spring and summer. It is often quite a windy city, especially in the winter. The summers are rarely very sweltering. Late spring and early summer can even be considered quite cool, so travelers should pack a sweater or light jacket to wear. This will be especially needed in the mornings before the day grows warmer.

Amsterdam is a very damp city with a mild climate. The best way to explore the city is on foot, as everything is compacted into a relatively small space of land. Don’t let the fickle weather deter you from your mission. If it begins to rain unexpectedly

The year 1672 brought an end to the Golden Age when the Dutch Republic was attacked at the same time by the French and British. Nevertheless, Amsterdam managed to maintain its reputation as a global center of finance and commerce. This period stretched throughout the 18th Century. Because residents became more prosperous and began using more durable materials in their construction, this era was largely responsible for much of the architecture that still remains in the city today.

In 1795, the oligarchy government was completely overthrown. The French came into power and Amsterdam suffered a severe economic recession for the next 20 years. There was not much new development in the city and, in fact, many houses were left vacant and neglected. Many structures collapsed as a result. The 19th Century and early 20th Century were largely marked by recovery from the preceding recession. Economically, culturally and governmentally, Amsterdam once again came into its own. Wealth increased rapidly, which brought about a significant population surge. The inventions and innovation of the Industrial Revolution effectively triggered an era that became known as the New Golden Age. Unfortunately, a recession would resurface in the years 1920 to 1940, though the city would eventually rise above once again. Today, Amsterdam has developed a reputation as a very artsy, liberal-minded capital of free-form expression. At the same time, it is a rich cultural center with an amazing history.

The industry is such a large part of the country’s reputation that one enterprising entrepreneur had petitioned to open a brothel at Schipol Airport in Amsterdam. The mission to open the “Yum Yum Caviar Club ” has been stalled by uncertain airport officials and ensuing lawsuits. There are even drive-through brothels for clients who are pressed for time.

The sex trade dominates the notorious Red Light District, where some of the city’s oldest and most beautiful buildings can be found. By night, this district comes alive with girlie shows, peep shows, live porn shows, sex souvenir shops, brothels and more. Anything imaginable having to do with sex, this is the place to find it.

However, this seeming obsession with sex does not dominate the entire Dutch culture. In fact, the lustful offerings of the Red Light District are easy to avoid if necessary. There are plenty of family-friendly offerings throughout Amsterdam as well, but the fact remains that the sex trade is one of the city’s biggest moneymakers.

For that reason, the Red Light District concept has begun cropping up in other cities throughout the Netherlands as well, although it is loathed by some of the Dutch people. In Amsterdam, about one-third of the windows where prostitutes dance and display their offerings were eliminated in September 2007.

It is part of an effort to cut back on the illegal and mischievous behavior that the windows attract, particularly sex trafficking and pimping. Nevertheless, the city still allows much of the sex trade to proliferate freely, and tourism continues to thrive.