Friendly, open-minded and bike-mad, the Netherlands is far more than the clichés of windmills and tulips. Famous art, modern design and unique architecture are everywhere and you'll never run out of things to do.
Meander along the canals of Amsterdam to explore the city's different neighbourhoods. Drop into the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum to see some masterpieces. Pause a moment to reflect at Anne Frank House. Shop at the Waterlooplein flea market or the boutiques on Kalverstraat, then relax over a beer at a brown café.
Taste cheese from the source in the towns of Gouda and Edam. Take in the cutting-edge architecture and club scene of Rotterdam. Shop for tulip bulbs at Keukenhof each spring, cycle along the countryside canals in summer or skate along them in winter.
There are lots of flights into Schiphol, Amsterdam's airport. You can get to anywhere in the Netherlands from the train station is located in the terminal. Unless you need to drive, opt for a rail pass to get around the country easily and quickly.