Discover Dutch diversity
Think of a holiday in Holland, and tulips, clogs and windmills probably pop into your mind. But the Netherlands has so much more to offer tourists and visitors. From charming, cobblestoned medieval cities to jaw-dropping atchitectural feats, and miles of waterways and cycling paths, your Holland holiday is sure to be diverse!
Something for everyone
Beaches, cities, cycle paths, shopping, windmills -it must be Holland. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, romantic getaway, weekend trip or just have a few spare hours on a business trip, the Netherlands has something to offer everyone. From slick bars to the windswept dunes, there is so much to see and do – and with the Netherlands being quite compact in size, you can enjoy a very diverse experience within a couple of hours. Children and teens will be delighted with the interactive museums, theme-parks and beaches, while nature-lovers will find plenty of natural reserves and forests.
Where to go that’s different?
- Historic Haarlem (the Dutch original)
- Lively Leiden, birthplace of Rembrandt
- Hearty Utrecht, at the core of the Netherlands
- Maastricht
- Zeeland
- Breda
Haarlem, not Harlem
You might like to include a trip to the lovely historic city of Haarlem (not to be confused with Harlem) on your visit to the Netherlands. Dutch Haarlem is only 20 minute train journey from Amsterdam and is a true gem.
Haarlem is wonderful city for a short break, with great restaurants, boutiques and cosy bars lining it’s cobbled streets. Tourists to Haarlem also delight in it’s proximity to the beach (try Bloemedaal on Zee or Zandvoort ) and breathtaking Dutch dunes. Nature-lovers will be delighted with a cycle, jog or long walk through the Kennemer National Park.
Utrecht, the heartiest city of Holland
Another wonderful Dutch city for tourists to the Netherlands to visit, is Utrecht. Situated in the middle of the Netherlands, historic Utrecht (one of the oldest Dutch cities) is truly the heartiest city of Holland. Home to Miffy (known as Nijntje in Dutch), Utrecht is wonderful for a short Dutch city break, with great restaurants, boutiques and cosy bars lining it’s cobbled streets and canals.
Laid-back Leiden
Tourists to Holland should not miss a trip to atmospheric Leiden. Only 40 minute train journey from Amsterdam, this laid-back student city is crammed with historic sights, and has the second-highest number of canals after the Dutch capital city of Amsterdam.
Many visitors to Leiden discover that they have ancestoral roots here, as Pilgrim Fathers stopped in Leiden on their way to America. There are so many interesting museums, atmospheric restaurants and lively bars in Leiden that visitors and tourists will be delighted.
In the springtime, a train journey between Haarlem and Leiden is not to be missed, as you pass by rows and rows of colourful tulips, through the Bollestreek (Dutch Bulb Region).