Exploring the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a country known for its windmills, canals, and tulips.

Keukenhof is the place to visit to see an abundance of tulips in the spring. It is known as the “Garden of Europe” and is located on the outskirts of the town of Lisse. This is the largest public garden in the world with over 700 varieties of tulips in April and May. Massive commercial hot houses keep the displays going most of the year. There are endless rows of tulips as well as hyacinths, crocuses, and daffodils.

The Hague is known all over the world as the location of the International Court of Justice. It is the political center of The Netherlands where the government of the country works.

The Dutch Royal Family lives in Noordeinde Palace.

Visit the historic Binnenhof district which is the oldest part of the city. The attractive older buildings are set around a central courtyard. Among the highlights here is the Knights' Hall which was built in the 13th century. This castle-like building has two towers. It is used for government events.

De Hoge Veluwe National Park is the largest national park in the country. There are dense woodlands in the north and a sculpture park. The best-preserved part of the park has dramatic dunes interspersed with heath and woodland. In the south and east, these are interrupted by mountains up to 100 meters high. There is an area for bird-watching and places for hiking and biking.

Kroller-Muller Museum in Otterlo features the world's second-largest collection of artworks by Van Gogh. There are Impressionist and Expressionist paintings by Cezanne, Manet, Monet, and Renoir.

Outside is one of Europe's largest sculpture gardens with artworks by Rodin, Hepworth, and Dubuffet among others.

Cathedral Square is the place to start your tour of the Dutch City of Utrecht. The square is known as the site of St Martin's Cathedral founded in 1254.

Domtoren is a surviving stand-alone church tower that was built in the 1300s. You can climb the 465 steps to the viewing platform for fantastic views of the city. Guided tours are available.

De Haar Castle is located near Utrecht and is the largest fortification in the country. It was built by the famous Dutch architect PJH Cuypers. Inside are antiques, furniture, paintings, and tapestries.

Outside are beautiful gardens.

The small hamlets along River Ijseel are among the most beautiful villages in the Netherlands. These towns bloomed during the Golden Age of Amsterdam. They had access to the Atlantic Ocean and became fishing and trading centers. They've become the most photographed tourist attraction in the country.

In Enkhuizen, you can see many colorful houses.

The Open-Air Zuiderzee Museum is where you can learn about the cultural heritage and maritime history of the old Zuiderzee region.

In Voldenham's Harbor, you can see a collection of colorful old wooden boats.

Zeeland incorporates the deltas of the Rhine, Maas, and Schelde Rivers. It includes many islands and peninsulas of the southwestern section of the Netherlands.

The Delta Works is a mega-engineering project. Massive hi-tech dams control how much water enters the key estuaries from the North Sea. This US $7 billion project has been named one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

Visit romantic Valkenburg in the picturesque Geul Valley with the country's only hilltop castle. It has become a popular holiday resort.

The spa facilities at Therme 2000 are one of the largest such establishments in the Netherlands.

Visitors like to see the ruins of the 12th-century castle, Castle Rock on Dwingelrots.

Also the 14th century St Nicolaaskerk Basilica.

The town of Delft is located between The Hague and Rotterdam and is known the world over for its famous blue and white porcelain. There are informative tours of the factory.