Amsterdam

Because of its tradition of openness and tolerance, Amster­dam is also a cosmopolitan mix of cultures. This began as far back as the 17th century, when Spanish Jews and French Huguenots came here to escape from persecution. Today, new Amsterdammers include refugees from Africa and Asia, people from former Dutch colonies such as Surinam and Indonesia, and those who have flocked here since the 1960s, attracted by Amsterdam's relaxed social attitudes on such things as marijuana. Looking closely at those canals, you'll find that their waters reflect a variety of faces, and a living, changing city.