Netherlands Maritime Museum. This was originally built in 1656 as a military depot for the Amsterdam Admiralty after Admiral Tromp refused to salute his British counterparts (thereby sparking a war with those touchy trade competitors). Trading vessels of the East Indies Company (VOC) came here to be outfitted for their journeys, with everything from cannons to hardtack. The VOC was the world's first multinational corporation, and, since it was equipped with its own army, which numbered 11,000 at its height of power, it was essentially a state within a state. During its existence between 1602 and 1798, it built 1,450 ships, made 4,700 profit-making voyages, and employed upward of 25,000 people at any given time.

Today, this Dutch Classicist building incorporates room after room of displays related to the development and power of both the Dutch East and West Indies companies, as well as the Dutch fishing industry. At any given time there are 1,000 objects -- including epic battle paintings, intricate models, bona fide boats, specialized equipment, and obsessively rendered maps -- on display from the 250,000-piece collection. Moored alongside the building at the east end of the old Amsterdam Harbor is a replica of the VOC sailing ship Amsterdam, which sank on its maiden voyage off the coast of Hastings in 1749. Fully functional with vast expanses of sail, it generally stays docked for a variety of excellent children's activities. COST: EUR7.