A'dam is better on cycle or scooter, the water ways are for tourist boats (Asians!)
As for visiting both are great, I was just being sarcastic. Other must see places are the Deltawerken in Zeeland, and the small towns Valkenburg (tourists) and Margraten (3rd largest American Cemetery in Europe) in Limburg, and most of the south of Limburg. Although the rest of the Netherlands is worth seeing too.
Looks like a boat would be a better mode of travel in Amsterdam than a bike or car.
As for Bourtange, does religion and language pose enough of a barrier as not to visit?
nope. weirdly enough I don't care/like it up north. Also I don't understand the dialect. And it's flat there..and more creepy: they are devoted protestants and communists. bleh