Amsterdam, fondly nicknamed “Venice of the North,” is a very prominent city with many attractions for visitors. From restaurants to theaters, to its public parks and gardens, one can never grow bored in an area with such effervescence and antiquity.

Museum-lovers will have no shortage of venues in this grand European destination. With famous painters like Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer, and Van Gogh coupled with such a colorful history, the city is a treasure trove of great art and museums. Here are five that will not disappoint:

Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House and museum is likely the most well-known in Amsterdam, thanks to the diary of a little girl. A tour of the famous home takes visitors through the very rooms where Anne and her family hid during World War II.

Diary excerpts, notebooks, historical documents, and even personal belongings are on display in the museum and visitors can gain a unique perspective on these troubled times.

Rijksmuseum

The largest Dutch national museum, the Rijksmuseum is a treasure of 17th- and 18th-century masterpieces, as well as historical articles and other artwork from the Dutch Golden Age at the peak of their trade and colonization period. Visitors will not forget the experience of standing before Rembrandt’s famous masterpiece “The Night Watch” or Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid”.

In addition to paintings, the museum houses fine examples of sculptures from the Middle Ages through the 19th century. Furniture, grand tapestries, and textiles exemplify interior design of the period.

Van Gogh Museum

This museum contains the world’s largest collection of pieces by Van Gogh. Visitors can follow his life and development through his drawings, letters, and over 200 paintings. There are many self-portraits and although some of his most famous paintings are not housed here, with so many other fine pieces, visitors are likely to find a new favorite.

Rembrandt House Museum

This museum was Rembrandt’s home for 20 years during the mid-1600s. The house was originally purchased on installment when the artist received commission to paint “The Night Watch”. However, he was not able to meet the payments and eventually went bankrupt.

The house has been restored to provide a glimpse into life during the 17th century. One room is dedicated to his etchings and daily demonstrations are held of the process he used to create them. The museum is now home to nearly every one of Rembrandt’s etchings.

Stedelijk Museum

When you are ready to move from the classic artists of the 16th through 19th centuries, head on over to the Stedelijk museum. This museum is focused on modern and contemporary art and design with a wide-ranging list of exhibitions.

Exhibitions are rotating but have included photographs, video, book design, performance art, poster art and furniture design. The museum is cutting-edge and attempts to support modern art and artists by making them accessible to all.

There is something special to be found in a city which has been newly discovered by the West. Prague is transforming into modern Europe, yet remains timeless in its charm and beauty. The possible extraordinary experiences are endless in this gorgeous city.

The first impression is breathtaking. Walking can be precarious in Prague as you find yourself looking up to marvel at the ornate architecture. Gargoyles, spires, and statues cling to the corners and rooftops of the centuries-old buildings.

Prague was one of the few European cities to remain relatively intact after World War II. The unique and spectacular architecture left standing is reason enough to visit the city.

Going beyond the architecture, Prague offers some of the finest opportunities in the world to experience world-class music in an intimate setting.

The city has a great and proud musical tradition with its best known composer, Antonín Dvorak. Even Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was enraptured by Prague. It was there that he held the world premiere of his opera, Don Giovanni, in 1787.

Mozart’s Symphony No. 38, or the Prague Symphony, was written in 1786 for the city. He felt the people there appreciated his music more than any other European city, including Vienna, where he spent most of his life.

Prague is home to nine principal orchestras along with several Baroque ensembles and choirs. There is an air of casualness about the classical music scene. Concerts are often free or impromptu and tourist attire is generally suitable. However, if attending a concert in one of the churches or cathedrals you are expected to dress appropriately.

Examples of famous music venues include The Smetana Concert Hall, which is a spectacular art-nouveau building. Other music venues include the Prague Castle which offers free concerts within the castle grounds. The Mirror Chapel in The Klementinum is a complex of buildings that dates back to the 1200s, where Mozart played one of the organs. Churches may also have free concerts or may grant visitors free admission during rehearsals.

St. Nicholas Church was completed in 1735 and stands on one corner of Old Town Square. It is not only magnificent to see with its white façade and ornately decorated walls, but is also one of the premier acoustical experiences in the city. Classical concerts are popular here and, with early arrival, you may find yourself sitting in the front row experiencing Mozart’s Requiem. The lead soprano will practically be in your lap and, if you feel mischievous enough, you might just lean forward to pluck a few notes on the first violin.

The conductor will pause between each movement to allow the notes to echo through the church, high up into the corners of the rafters. This alone will bring a smile from deep inside, every time.

This breathtaking city is full of moments like these, allowing you to experience beauty, music, and a passion for the arts that lives only on the periphery of most cities.

You can experience Prague and many other world cities on the 16-day Capitals of Central Europe Tour by Image Tours Inc.!