Netherlands
The Netherlands is so much more than just windmills and tulips! From top to bottom, its rich history can be experienced through the well-preserved architecture of its picturesque villages, churches, and canals. If nature is more your speed, the Netherlands boasts beautiful beaches and national parks to explore. It may be a small country, but there is something here for everyone!
When is the best time to visit Holland?
The Netherlands is a country that can really be visited year-round. Even in the chilly winter months, you are still able to enjoy a stroll through the park or a cup of mulled wine at a local market. Situated on the coast of the North Sea, the Netherlands experiences moderate marine temperatures during Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November), colder temperatures in the winter (December- February) and warm, but manageable temperatures during the summer months (June-August). Spontaneous rainfalls can occur year-round, with the heaviest rains falling in October and November.
Where should you go?
In the Netherlands, you really can have it all! Since the country is relatively small, you are able to see all its corners without having to travel long distances. This means that it is quite easy to visit the tulips fields in the Bollenstreek (Dutch bulb region), go cycling along the dunes near Bergen and Schoorl, wander through charming cobblestone streets of 17th-century villages such as Haarlem or Leiden, or go hiking in the Veluwe National Park, all while traveling from point A to B in only 1.5 hours on average.
How many days do you need?
In 5 days, you can experience all of the highlights of the west such as Amsterdam and its many art museums which boast works from the great Dutch Masters, the tulip fields in bloom around Haarlem, traditional Dutch windmills at the Zaanse Schans, and a cheese market in Alkmaar or Gouda. If you have 7 to 10 days to spend, you can visit more off-the-beaten-track places like the picturesque fishing villages of Monnickendam, Marken, and Volendam, take a boat tour or canoe excursion through Biesbosch National Park, or head south to Limburg to visit castles and go hiking in the only hills in the Netherlands. You can even enjoy some mudflat waking and the beach in the Wadden Islands.
