Soon when everything will be safer and we can explore and travel again, then it is time to go! So, to be prepared and to make you dream of beautiful places I share my gems from the Netherlands!
The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is a western European country that is located next to the sea. It has more than 17 million residents and is mostly known for its capital Amsterdam, cheese, flowers, and social tolerance policy. But the Netherlands has so much more to offer! See below for amazing spots to visit!
Colourfull flower fields From the end of March to the end of May parts of the Netherlands are covered with bulb flowers. Who doesn't get happy from colourfull flower fields? The most famous region is called the Bollenstreek. This region is located between Leiden and Haarlem. The Keukenhof is one of the world's most beautiful flower gardens, is also located in this region.
Famous Dutch windmills The Dutch have a full history of living with water and how to manage it. The windmills of Kinderdijk will show you how the Dutch contributed to water management. Kinderdijk is located near Rotterdam and at this spot, the river Noord and river De Lek meet. The 19 windmills from Kinderdijk and its surroundings are UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997.
Delft the city with a blue heart Delft is famous for its Delft’s Blue pottery and history around the famous painter Vermeer and Willem of Orange. It is a lovely city with canals, beautiful houses, multiple churches, and rich history. Also, Delft literally has a blue heart in the middle of the center. The beautiful main square in the middle of the city center is called the markt. Perfect to enjoy the historical beauty and great coffee or dinner!
Go back to nature; the Veluwe Wanna go for hikes and spend more time in nature? The Veluwe and the Hoge Veluwe are beautiful areas to visit and go on a day adventure! The Posbank has a beautiful viewpoint and in summertime, the heather gives a beautiful purple colour. The Hoge Veluwe is a closed-off park where you can go for hikes and a bike ride. An area that feels quiet and has a lot of beauty to show.
Prince or princess for one day? Wanna feel like a prince or princess? Visit one of the many beautiful castles in the Netherlands! My favorites are castles de Haar, Muiderslot, and de Cannenburgh Castle (photo). Castle de Haar is surrounded by a beautiful garden and feels like a fairytale! Muiderslot is over 700 years old and one of the oldest castles in the Netherlands and is a monument since 1898. The Cannenburgh castle has beautiful, decorated rooms which give you the possibility to experience life in the castle.
Beautiful old center and vibrant city life; Leiden Do you love old city centers, and you want to see something else than Amsterdam? Go to Leiden! Canals, beautiful old houses, and nostalgia. But also, a vibrant center, museums and with nice coffee and lunch spots. Walking around the center brings you back to centuries ago. Get an overview of the center from the Burcht.
Dessert in the middle of the Netherlands? The province of Utrecht has a national park called the Utrechtse heuvelrug. This park is a big sand dune area with forest and heather between the provinces Utrecht and Noord-Holland. This area is formed during the ice age. It is a beautiful area that feels out of this world. Soesterduinen is a beautiful spot, great for hikes and photography. On the North of the Utrechtse heuvelrug the Soesterduinen can be found.
Rotterdam modern metropole vibe The biggest city in Zuid-Holland with a down to earth attitude. Rotterdam was bombed in 1940 during the second World War. The city has been rebuilt and is now known for its modern architecture. The Erasmus bridge (photo) is an icon of the city and connects the north and south part of Rotterdam. Go check out the old harbor, the cube houses, and the market hall. But also, great museums as Boijmans Van Beuningen and my favorite; Dutch photo museum.
Beach or forest? Both! With a coastline of 450 km, there are many beaches to visit in the Netherlands. One of my favorite beaches is located near Noordwijk. This area also has a beautiful forest area. So, if you are like me and have a hard time picking your favorite, why not see both? After a walk through the forest, dunes, and along the coast (often with a lot of wind), it is time to get a warm hot chocolate in the nearby restaurant 😊
And I can go on! That is why I decided to put all these interesting spots (and many more!!) plus information about the Netherlands on the how, what, and where, in a travel guide! Exciting!!
Stay tuned to hear more about the guide and subscribe to my website for more travel inspiration!
With a smile 😊
Nicole
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