Paris vs. Amsterdam

    While in Europe, I visited many different places. Two of those places I visited are Paris, France and Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Both are very unique to themselves but also have distinct similarities. Paris and Amsterdam are very contrasting cities but they both make a great place to visit.
    Paris, France is a classy city. It’s one of the world’s major global cities because of its influence in entertainment, fashion, the arts, and much more. There are many historical and popular landmarks throughout this major city. The first one to pop into your head is the Eiffel Tower designed by Gustave Eiffel. This once radio broadcasting tower stands 1,050 feet tall. The Avenue des Champs-Elysees, the main street of Paris, is one of the most expensive strips of real estate in the world. Its luxury shops and restaurants make it a very popular place to be.The Musee du Louvre,  the Louvre Museum, is one of the world’s largest museums located on the bank of the Seine River. The Louvre is  home to the Mona Lisa, its most popular attraction. Paris includes many more tourist attractions that millions come to see every year. Something unique to Paris is the cuisine. The city is lined with luxurious restaurants specializing in the deliciousness of French food.
    Amsterdam is not known for its so called “classiness” as Paris is. It is a major cultural city full of numerous things to do and see. There are a lot of museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum. Those museums house paintings by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and many other famous painters. A famous historical place in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank house. This house, now a museum, tells the story of Anne Frank and how she kept a diary while hiding from the Nazis during World War II. Amsterdam is also known for its canal system. You can get almost anywhere in the city by boat. The canals also provide for boat tours for tourists. The Dutch food is also distinct in Amsterdam. Although there are hundreds of restaurants, the food is very unique to the country itself.
    Despite the cultural differences mentioned above, Paris and Amsterdam have some similarities. They are both capitals of their country, making them a huge tourist stop. The history of the cities and the landmarks in them is incredible. The history really comes alive once you set foot in those cities. Paris and Amsterdam are also similar in what they use for transportation. Bicycles are used everywhere in Europe, but are especially evident in these large cities. Trains, metros, tram, and buses are also major ways of public transportation.
    Since these two cities are in different countries, they’re obviously going to be culturally different. However, both cities include things that would spike anybody’s interest. Despite them having a lot of differences, Paris and Amsterdam are both equally enjoyable.