Amsterdam

Amsterdam  is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population of 1,209,419 and a metropolitan population of 2,158,592.

Its name is derived from Amstelredamme, indicative of the city's origin: a dam in the river Amstel. Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age, a result of its innovative developments in trade. During that time, the city was the leading center for finance and diamonds. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded, and many new neighborhoods and suburbs were formed. The 17th-century canals of Amsterdam (in Dutch: 'Grachtengordel'), located in the heart of Amsterdam, were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2010.

The city is the financial and cultural capital of the Netherlands. Many large Dutch institutions have their headquarters there, and 7 of the world's top 500 companies. In 2010, Amsterdam was ranked 13th globally on quality of living by Mercer. The  Amsterdam Stock Exchange, the oldest stock exchange in the world, is located in the city center. Amsterdam's main attractions, including its  historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, Anne Frank House, Amsterdam Museum, its red-light district, and its many cannabis coffee shops draw more than 3.66 million international visitors annually.

A typical scene from the streets of Amsterdam. (from Dam)

From the window of a coffee shop, which looks at a canal. I prefered to sit in places that had the view of canals. I enjoyed watching the calm water, which could be full of ducks or swans, sometimes. 

During this trip we used the trams a lot, because Interfly had chosen a hotel, which was located far from the center! This is why I took a lot of photographs from the tram stations, while we were waiting.

A perfect place to sit and read a book or just watch the street...

Streets of Amsterdam...

I sometimes discovered unexpected subjects, like this awesome garden, and the bicycle was put in a very decorative way that I really enjoyed the moment, while I was taking this photograph.

I founf this window full of green plants and "earths" before ariving to the Hermitage Museum, and I loved it.

It was so great just to watch the canals and the bicycles. 

Amsterdam cow, frrom a studio of an artist.

Works in the studio were very different and colorful, that I liked very much. Besides there was a slogan on the wall which said, " Art is not a job, it's a life syle." It's true, but it still makes people gain money, even it is hard to prove yourself as an artist. Art have to be your life style and you have to be creative to be successful.

Everyone has a bicycle, so they have their own roads, which is something really important. It is not very important to own a car, there, which is important in Istanbul. I think in Istanbul there has to be bicycle roads everywhere. I hate traffics.

Pink and beautiful.

Swans in canals were very friendy or hungry in other words:) He wants something to eat...

Try fresh mint tea with honey, if you haven't before.

Amsterdam at night.

From H&M's window. I was waiting for my friend, but it was fun for me to watch these buildings, with this ventege point.

Good bye Amsterdam...

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Prague

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of nearly 2.0 million. 

 Prague has been a political, cultural, and economic centre of central Europe during its 1,100 year existence. Founded during the Gothic and flourishing by the Renaissance eras, Prague was the seat of two Holy Roman Emperors and thus then also the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. It was an important city to the Habsburg Monarchy and its Austro-Hungarian Empire and after Worl War I became the capital of Czechoslovakia. The city played major roles in the Protestant Reformation, the Thirty Years' War, and in modern history generally as the principal conurbation in Bohemia and Moravia whose second city is Brno.

Prague is home to a number of famous cultural attractions, many of which survived the violence and destruction of twentieth century Europe. Main attractions include the following: Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, the Jewish Quarter, the Lennon Wall, and Petrin hill. Since 1992, the extensive historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. 

A modern public transportation system connects the city. Its rich history makes it a popular tourist destination2011. Prague was the sixth most visited city in Europe. (Summary from Wikipedia)

Here are my photos,

The lobby of our hotel, in Prague , which was not at the center, but cute because of its design full of pictures about music, the piano there and the flowers... 

Around the location where the hotel was cituated, there were old, but colorful buildings and each of them had its own decoration or color. Some of them had little statues on their surfaces.

Me and Kaan:)

From my perspective...

The entry of the famous Charles Bridge. So mystical...

The Charles Bridge was full of different statues, and of caurse full of tourists, too:)

People used to put their hands on this statue to pray; some still do.

The big castle's entry

And then, there was the castle!

I loved this painting, which an artist was selling in Prague, and couldn't stop myself to buy it=)

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Find the differences:)

We found a restaurant, which was famous in Prague, because of the little trains that brings your drinks. Railways were constructed on all the tables in the restaurant. ALsoi the food was delicious! 

This is the famous Milunic and Gehry's Dancing house. The left building is "the woman" and the other one is "the man". They are dancing!

Good bye Prague... We're going to Amsterdam.

* * *

Vienna

Some informations about Vienna:

 "Vienna is the capital and largest city of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million, and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its culturai, economic, and political centre.  In 2001, the city centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Vienna is often said to be "The City of Dreams" because it was home to psychologist Professor Sigmund Freud. Its roots lie in early Celtic and Roman settlements that transformed into a Medieval and Baroque city, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city is well known for playing an essential role as a leading European Music Centre, from the great age of Viennese Classicism through the early part of the 20th century. The Historic centre of Vienna is rich in architectural ensembles, including Baroque castles and gardens, as well as the late-19th-century Ringstrasse lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks." (summary from Wikipedia)

Photos that I have taken there ( I only visited there for 5 hours, so I don't have a variety of photos. I wish I could have stayed there more...

Phateons! I liked them:)

Details from the Stephansdom Church at center.The interior is colorful and mystical thanks to the reflections from the stain glasses.

These are the stain glasses.

Peterskirche at the center.

When it get darks, the exterior of the gothic church starts to be enlighten by these colorful light games, which refers to the interior lighthning  with the stain glasses.

Vienna, Prague and Amsterdam

I made a trip to Vienna, Prague and Amsterdam with a tour called Interfly. We stayed in these cities totally for 5 days, so it was not a long trip, but I tried to see as much as I could. I've been in Amsterdam before, but not in Vienna and Prague, which we stayed less:( So I want to go to those cities again, if I will get another chance, because being in Vienna, Prague and Amsterdam made me feel good. Vienna was clean, sophisticated with its big church and statues at center and phaetons ("fayton" in turkish) which can make you visit the city center for a while. Prague was mysterious with its statues on the famous bridge and the gothic castle. It was full of history, while having a new independent part. Amsterdam was full of independence, where I would like to live. I adore its typical houses and to sit in cafes while watching the ducks in a cannel.