Although it is famous for its windmills, fields of tulips, and a labyrinth of romantic canals, the Netherlands offers so much more. The low-lying country is located in Western Europe (and also has territories in the Caribbean).
Exploring the Netherlands is easy; due to its relatively small size, you can reach almost any location within three hours. The train, bus and tram will take you pretty much anywhere you want to go. However, the best way to explore the country is by bicycle.
Below are four reasons why you should explore the Netherlands:
Cycle
The Netherlands is the ultimate destination for cycling thanks to its flat landscape, mild climate, short distances and wonderful infrastructure. There is no other place in the world where people love their bikes as much as in the Netherlands.
Cycling in the country is safe, easy and great fun. The country boasts of more than 37,000 kilometres of bicycle paths waiting for you throughout the country.
Food
Traditionally, Dutch cuisine is simple and straightforward, with many vegetables and little meat: breakfast and lunch are typically bread with toppings like cheese, while dinner is meat and potatoes, supplemented with seasonal vegetables. Two popular dutch dishes you should try are:
Stamppot: It is made of mashed potatoes mixed with one or more vegetables like kale, carrots, endive or sauerkraut. ‘Stamppot’ is traditionally served during the winter and enjoyed best with ‘rookworst’.
Haring or ‘Hollandse Nieuwe’ (Dutch new herring): This is probably the most famous Dutch food. If you like to fish, you should at least try it once. The raw herring is served together with chopped raw onions and gherkins. In the Netherlands, it’s customary to grab a salty herring by the tail and then let it slide down your throat.
Water sports
The Netherlands is the perfect place for water sports. Nearly one-third of the land is below sea level. In addition to the risk of flooding, this also means unique water sports opportunities. You can go boating through the canals in big cities or enjoy the peace and quiet on large bodies of water.
There are plenty of water sports opportunities along the Dutch coast. From diving, surfing and kite surfing at the best water sports beaches in Zeeland to surf karting on the beaches of the Wadden Islands.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital and most popular city in the Netherlands. Amsterdam has the world’s highest museum density and is home to cultural treasures like the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, and Rijksmuseum.
Visit the pleasant Jordaan district which boasts narrow streets, bustling cafés and stately merchant houses lining the famous canals.
Visit Madame Tussauds to meet the rich and famous, discover the secrets of diamond cutting at Coster and GASSAN Diamonds, learn more about brewing beer at the Heineken Experience. And if you are visiting Amsterdam with children, you can visit Science Center NEMO, where children can do fun experiments, or the Artis Zoo.
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