Holland is more than tulip fields, levees, windmills and bicycles. Learn more about the country, experience Dutch life as it happens, and walk through its streets and walk with its history, culture and people. So plan your trip, pack your bags, and head to these places and activities in the Netherlands.
1.) Amsterdam
If there is one thing that draws people to this city, it is probably the laid-back atmosphere that you can never experience elsewhere. Amsterdammers have found a way to balance business life with relaxation and to find time to sunbathe and take care of business responsibilities. Shop, dine, party and relax in this liberal and carefree city with its friendly English-speaking people.
2.) Delft
Delft is a beautiful city, with its houses, tree-lined canals and historical monuments. Walk through the historic city and be captivated by the tranquility of its bridges, sidewalks, houses and bricks that withstood the tests of time. You can also go to the Delftse Hout recreation area and try windsurfing, swimming in its lake and narrow beaches, or visiting its community gardens, camping areas and other sports facilities.
3.) Haarlem
Try Harleem Beer where it’s brewed. Take a stroll through the bustling Grote Markt on Mondays and Saturdays and enjoy the market, buy anything from clothing supplies to fresh herring. Tulips also grow in abundance in Haarlem, so be sure to visit and smell one of Haarlem’s most treasured industries.
4.) The Red Light District
From silhouetted faces to literal red lights, the Netherlands’ Red Light District has left nothing to the imagination. Walk through its alleys, interact with other people and learn something new. Remember, there is no place like the RLD and it is worth a visit.
5.) The Hague
The Hague, with its 100 km2 of land, is the seat of the Dutch Government, the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. This makes The Hague not only important in terms of internal affairs, but also in terms of the international judicial system. Get a glimpse of the life and culture of this city by visiting its museums and other tourist destinations.
6.) Bike tour
Cycling has been a way of life for the Dutch, and people from all walks of life do it for health, financial or recreational reasons. Travel the Netherlands on two wheels and discover a place you will never see on four wheels. Better yet, join the Netherlands bike tour and experience the Netherlands like you never imagined.
7.) Drink beer
Going to a beer-exporting country demands that you taste it on the spot, and Heineken isn’t the end of the Dutch brewing line. This never seems to be a problem for the Dutch, who send out about 1.3 billion liters of beer a year and allow 16-year-olds to drink their beer. Whether you drink it as a delicacy or just want an excuse to crawl right to your hotel door, a Dutch retreat is never a Dutch retreat without those Heinekens.
8.) Keukenhof Gardens
Do you love flowers? See how nature and Dutch hands create a paradise with blooming tulips, hyacinths and other assorted flowers. River cruises including spring tulip cruises are also offered to people who want to take a look at Keukenhof Gardens and the rest of the Netherlands.
9.) Hoge Veluwe National Park
Covering an area of 5,500 hectares, the Hoge Veluwe National Park is the largest national reserve in the Netherlands. It is home not only to floating sands, wild deer and other animals, but also to the Kröller-Müller Museum, the repository of Helene Kröller-Müller’s art collection. While it is not advisable to go there on four wheels, you can rent white bikes in three designated regions and hope that you will never get lost in the green and golden sea.
10.) Van Gogh Museum
Holland is home not only to budding tulips, but also to famous painters and artists. Located in Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum is considered one of the best galleries displaying Impressionist artwork. Come in and see “The Potato Eaters” and “The Yellow House in Arles” before your eyes.