One of the world’s most familiar European countries. From clogs and tulips to windmills and canals, the Netherlands has more than its share of national symbols.
The compact, beautiful city of Amsterdam has flourished over the centuries since its origins as a fishing village. Entering its Golden Age in the 17th century, it became the centre of world trade and the most prosperous city in northern Europe. With economic success came important cultural activity – artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn made their finest paintings here, and architecture also soared to new heights, to which the city still bears witness.
Many pleasant afternoons can be spent drifting along the city’s winding canals (over 160 of them!) and cycling the pretty cobbled streets past grand 17th-century townhouses. Amsterdam’s stock of museums is vast, but be sure to drop into the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum – home to Rembrandt’s Night Watch and other works of celebrated Dutch masters – before retreating to a snug ‘brown cafe’. Before you leave, don’t forget to check out the stalls on the Noordermarkt in the old working-class district of De Jordaan, and tuck into the city’s best apple pie at Winkel 43.
And there’s plenty more to discover beyond the capital. You could find yourself taking in Rotterdam’s modern skyline by boat, admiring the 18th-century windmills of Kinderdijk or wandering about the medieval old town of Utrecht. There’s also the stately palaces of The Hague, the vibrant cultural scene of Maastricht and swathes of picturesque countryside strewn with vibrant flower fields and tiny historic villages.
To start planning your very own tailor-made holiday to the Netherlands, get in touch today.
