Home of tulips, wooden clogs, windmills and some of the greatest European artists in the world, Holland is a unique destination for travelers. Experience the charm and character of the bustling capital city of Amsterdam and marvel at historic museums and buildings. There’s much to see and learn about in this fascinating country, so why not take a tour exploring the best parts? If you’ve never thought about travelling to Holland we’ve rounded up a few of the absolute highlights, combining the sites of some spectacular architecture with Holland’s rich and vibrant culture.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a charming city boasting beautiful art, architecture and museums. Hop aboard a canal boat where you’ll have a great view of the shops, galleries and cafes. Visit the Mint Tower, the only remaining part of the entrance to Amsterdam when it was a walled city in the 15th century. At lunch, have a bite to eat at one of the many cafes lining the streets and admire Rembrandt’s masterpiece ‘The Night Watch’ at the Rijksmuseum. Amsterdam in particular is a hub for museums, perhaps the most intriguing of which is Anne Frank House. The infamous diary she wrote over the course of two years lies among other artefacts and notebooks Anne kept during her life. Visiting Anne Frank House is a moving experience that will get you closer to understanding some important events in contemporary European history.
Keukenhof Bulb fields
The Netherlands is renowned for its spectacular tulip fields, vast fields of multi-coloured flowers spanning across 70 acres. The fields are only open during certain times of the year, when spring arrives the flowers are in full bloom for all to see. The outdoor tulip collections feature different designs and landscaping ideas ranging from traditional to innovative.
Royal Delft Pottery
The Royal Delft is the last remaining Delftware manufacturer since the 17th century. Witness the traditional production process of this classic ornamental pottery right at the Royal Delft. You will see centuries of old craft combined with the painted designs of modern Dutch artists. New collections are regularly introduced, with tours of the historic garden courtyard and an in-depth demonstration by the master painters.
Kröller–Müller
The Kröller–Müller Museum houses some of Van Gogh’s most famous artworks, including The Potato Eaters and Cafe Terrace at Night – as well as many other beautiful sculptures and paintings. The museum also has the largest sculpture garden in Europe, showcasing both modern and contemporary collections.
Groningen – the cycling city
Groningen’s medieval buildings and architecture display the city’s rich history. Take a bicycle tour – it’s possibly the best way to experience Groningen. Some of the interesting sites to see are the Groninger Museum which features some of the most spectacular art collections in the world, the Aa-kerk church and the Great Market a large market located in the city centre. Be sure also to visit some of the late medieval Guest Houses, during the Middle Ages the Gasthuizen housed the poor as well as those ill with the Plague.
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