How to plan a canal boat trip

In Amsterdam, canal tours are huge business, with a fleet of passenger boats ready to take you around the city. While many guests like these excursions, others find the multilingual commentary annoying.

There are other options, including the hop-on, hop-off boats that dock at a dozen strategic locations across the city; Lovers Canal Cruises is one of the top operators. There are also a few free passenger ferries that run from behind Centraal Station across the River Ij to the city's northern shore - and they're a fun ride.

Note:

• Tipping can be a little perplexing - or at least it isn't as simple as it is in other locations. Although most locals round up taxi and restaurant bills to the next whole euro, some clients will still tip 10% or 15% to demonstrate their appreciation. Some establishments charge a service fee, so you won't have to worry about leaving anything extra.