Netherlands

Built on land substantially reclaimed from the North Sea, the Netherlands offers unforgettable vistas of pancake flat landscapes, laced with canals, church spires and windmills under vast open skies. To the west lie pristine beaches and impressive dunes while its cities, with their ornately gabled town houses, hint at the great wealth of the Dutch during the ‘Golden Age’ in the 17th century. The national character can best be summed up in the Dutch word ‘gezellig’, meaning mellow, relaxed or convivial, a frame of mind best observed at the country’s many festivals, over a coffee at the local cafe or lingering over a candlelit meal. Complementing this laid back attitude to life, the Netherlands is renowned for being open minded and cosmopolitan with a rich cultural heritage inspired by its colonial past. The super efficient transport system enables you to explore every corner of the country or for more leisurely encounters, hire a bike and find out why the Dutch think two wheels are better than four.