Netherlands Highlights and Vacation Rentals

To most people, a mention of Holland conjures up a picture of a whimsical land of windmills, tulips, dykes and wooden shoes. Even though North and South
Holland are only two of the Netherlands twelve provinces, most tourists refer to the whole country as Holland. If you are planning a trip to Europe you may want to experience some of the highlights of this historic country, and for an unforgettable experience, consider renting a holiday home from a genuine Dutch owner, as an alternative to staying in a hotel.

Amsterdam, in North Holland is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city and one of the major tourist destinations in the Netherlands.
Noted for its canals and bridges, Amsterdam can easily be explored by foot, bike or a canal boat ride down one of the 150 canals. Visit the thriving flower markets, canal side houses, boutiques, and cafes that make Amsterdam famous, or stroll through the renowned Red Light District, of which the Dutch say they are very proud.

In this famous capital city you will find many Amsterdam self catering canal apartments within walking distance to the multitude of museums and galleries, which make Amsterdam a history and art lover’s dream. View masterpieces at the world famous Rifksmuseum, which houses the world’s largest collection of paintings by Dutch masters such as Rembrandt or visit the Van Gogh Museum or the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, or Nemo, a fascinating science museum. Also in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House, where Anne Frank and seven other Jews spent two years in hiding, as related in her famous diary.

Just a short train ride from Amsterdam, Haarlem makes a good day trip and gets you away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Highlights of the city are its impressive architecture and museums, including St. Bavo's Cathedral Archeologisch Museum (archaeology museum) and the Spaarnestad Fotoarchief photography archives. Just north of Haarlem, in the village of Spaarndam, there is a statue of Hans Brinker, the fictitious character made famous by American children’s writer Mary Mapes Dodge in her book, “Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates”. For accommodations look for some more Netherlands Vacation Rentals in Haarlem.  Perhaps rent a country house or houseboat for a new experience.

Delft, famous for its Delft Pottery, is one of the best-preserved, "historic" towns in the Netherlands. Like Amsterdam it is known for its canals, walkways, old churches, and museums, not to mention The Market featuring many shops selling pottery.  You are sure to find some holiday lets or apartments to rent in Delft.

Rotterdam, one of Europe’s major ports is a working city that has been rebuilt since the devastation of World War II. The boat tour of the harbor is popular and it is also home to Netherlands' best art museum, the Boymans van Beuningen Museum, in the Museumpark section of the city.  While you are in Rotterdam you may find a bed and breakfast inn or perhaps a holiday apartment to rent from an owner.

Also worthy of a visit, Arnhem is the city in the book and movie "a Bridge Too Far", a World War II battle for a bridge crossing the Rhine between the Netherlands and Germany. In addition, Arnhem features the Open Air Museum (Openlucht) which replicates how the Dutch lived, farmed and built homes and windmills in the past.

Hoge De Veluwe National Park is the site of the Kroller-Muller Museum, with its collection of nineteenth and twentieth century art, and the Sculpture Garden, featuring whimsical sculptures in a pleasant outdoor setting.

Other place to visit in the Netherlands, include Utrecht, with its historic “Old Town” and interesting antique stores, the university town of Leiden with its interesting museums and scenic canals, and historic Maastricht, a fortified medieval town.

The Hague is another highlight for your visit to the Netherlands. Even though the city has a slower pulse than Amsterdam, not only is The Hague the center for government and diplomacy in the Netherlands, but it is the home of the royal family.
The Hague has several interesting museums, including the Municipal Museum of the Hague, which features a significant collection of painting by Piet Mondrian.
Also, worthy of a visit, Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery is housed in a beautiful building that contains paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and other Masters.

In conclusion, during your visit to Holland consider staying in a vacation rental that you rent directly from the owner. Netherlands vacation rentals include Amsterdam self catering apartments, family-friendly vacation cottages, country houses or even houseboat rentals. If you choose to stay in a vacation rental as an alternative to a hotel you will be sure to find a Netherlands vacation rental that’s perfect for you, offering affordable, self catering accommodations and holiday lets. You will also take home rich memories of the friendly hospitable Dutch people and the windmill studded countryside of Holland.