The Netherlands, in northwestern Europe, is known for its flat landscape, canals, tulip fields, windmills and cycling routes. Amsterdam, the capital, is home to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and the house where Jewish diarist Anne Frank hid during WWII. Canalside mansions and a trove of works from artists including Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Vermeer remain from the 17th-century “Golden Age.”
Popular Things To Do:
See the windmills! There are 8 historic windmills in Zaanse Schans and 19 in Kinderdijk, which have been granted UNESCO World Heritage status.
Cycling is a very popular way to explore the Netherlands.
Cruise through the canals. Discover the Netherlands from a different perspective. Many Dutch cities were built around canals. Of course, Amsterdam has the best-known canals. The Amsterdam Canal District is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the city has even been nicknamed the “Venice of the North”.
Visit the world’s largest flower garden at Keukenhof Gardens (open March to mid-May).
See the tulips! The striking colors of the flowering tulip bulbs are a typical sight in the Netherlands during the spring. The bright red, pink and yellow colors are overwhelmingly beautiful and are a must experience!
Featured Destinations:
Amsterdam – The capital of the Netherlands, its lifeblood is water, which courses through the city in a concentric network of canals and waterways spanned by more than 1000 bridges. Incredible museums, the Heineken Brewery, and nightlife are just a small part of what this great city has to offer.
Utrecht – This favorite destination of the Dutch offers may of Amsterdam’s charms on a smaller scale without the tourists.
Zuid-Holland – Visit Delft, the center of Dutch pottery, followed by a stop in Gouda to sample the famous cheese. There are many charming villages dotted along the way with lovely gabled 17th century houses.
Texel Island – Walk or cycle one of the many trails on this beautiful island to marvel at the outstanding natural beauty of its many different landscapes.
Rotterdam – This bustling city has become known as the capital of culture for the Netherlands. It hosts jazz and film festivals, and innovative architecture. It is Europe’s largest and, indeed, the world’s second largest port.
