Amsterdam has a long standing history as a city of tolerance and freedom. This is all the result of the historic foundations of the state as freedom of speech, religion and expression. The capital of the Netherlands provides a lot of pleasures forbidden elsewhere. There is legalized and controlled prostitution, light drugs and gay marriages.

Pride Parade

The Amsterdam Pride Parade is one of the biggest in the world. It is an event celebrating the culture of the people with alternative sex orientation- lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexuals. It is also a platform for the popularization of same sex marriages. The Netherlands and Amsterdam in particular has a very tolerant and open policy in regards to this issue. Same sex marriages are legalized in the country as registered partnerships since 1998.

The parade has taken place since 1996 and has been among the best accepted such events in the world. The event lasts for a weekend and involves concerts, sports competitions, street parties and the famous Canal Pride- a parade in the canals of the city. In Amsterdam it takes place during the first Saturday and Sunday of August.

The Amsterdam Pride Parade has received a lot of public attention and support. During the last couple of years government and municipality officials were present during it. In 2008 three cabinet ministers and the mayor of the city were there to take part of the celebration and show their open support. Moreover, the occasion was sponsored by big corporations such as ING Group and TNT TV.

The Pride Parade is a big tourist attraction as well. It was estimated that during the last one there were more than half a million people who came to see the carnival.

If you are interested a more spicy and different entertainment for the weekend you might consider seeing the Amsterdam Pride Parade. A good idea would be to hire a car. Best Car Rental Amsterdam companies that operate in Amsterdam are Avis, Alamo, Dollar, Europcar, Thrifty, Hertz and Budget.

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