The Netherlands

Referred to most commonly as Holland, the Netherlands is home to the world famous capital city of Amsterdam and a nation of football lovers swamped by tulip fields and bicycles. Amsterdam famously liberal attitude towards drugs and the sex trade has afforded it as a top tourist destination for thrill seeking youth but scratch the surface of this amazing and city and reveal gorgeous neighborhoods built around canals. Sparkling squares of entertainment and gastronomy and vast green spaces all overseen by a cool bohemian vibe. Art lovers have an everlasting choice of museums and galleries to satisfy their appetite. A bike is the comfortable way to explore.

Stretching south from Amsterdam the bulb district takes in masses of multicolored field best seen in springtime and passes whimsical windmills and theKeukenhof Gardens, an immense tourist attraction all the way down to inviting university town Leiden. Northwards Groningen attracts crowds hungry for a gritty music scene and up and coming acts. Government seat The Hague multi culturally houses impressive embassy buildings from all corners of the globe and reaches down to sophisticated seaside resortScheveningen.

The dutch national colour orange covers the country when this patriotic bunch have a national holiday to celebrate. Queens Day a celebration of the reigning monarch sees young and old alike don some orange and take to the streets for dancing, drinking, singing and setting up stalls outside their houses to pass unwanted items. many a bargain can be found. When football season starts the orange comes out again. Summer throughout The Netherlands sees all towns and cities and villages hosting weekly events to include all in their main square.

Famous Dutch exports alongsidefamous artists Van Gogh and Rembrandt include Edam and Gouda cheese, Heineken and Grolsh lagers and of course, it would be rude to go home without a pair of wooden clogs!
Holland is a country that's best explored slowly. The fact that it's flat means many visitors choose to do this on a cycling holiday. Campsites, hostels, and guest houses, are frequent, friendly, and reasonable. Meander along tree-lined canals and through pretty towns with pedestrianised centres, you'll begin to feel you're part of a much larger family, who all have bikes and are also on holiday. Everyone will nod and say hello as they pass, and happily give you directions if you're lost.

To the north the coast is long, generally uncrowded, and mostly sandy, as it continues across into Germany . In fact the north of Germany has many similarities and links to Holland , although perhaps the locals are a little slower with that welcoming smile than their Dutch neighbours.