Plan a trip to Netherlands

The Netherlands, offbeat and open-minded, is the land of wooden shoes and tulip fields, vibrant cities and charming villages, culture and history, bicycles and beautiful nature – and iconic windmills which dot its countryside. As its cities have served as international trading hubs for several centuries, it is a multi-national melting pot - a country where everyone is welcome and feels at home. The Netherlands comes alive in the spring with the blooming of its endless fields of flowers, the reopening of the traditional cheese markets, and the cycling tours that abound.

Amsterdam, a unique city and the capital of the Netherlands, is home to a 17th century system of canals, historic buildings, beautiful museums, and a pleasant ambiance in which its residents generally walk or bike from place to place. Go native! Rent a bike to pedal your way around the city and enjoy all of the sites.

In the historic center, dating back to when Amsterdam was a vast trading networking, you’ll see the gabled residences constructed by wealthy merchants along the canals. Enjoy the canals by day or night via one of the many cruises available or by strolling along the banks, past the canal houseboats and centuries-old houses. Wander through Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s largest park, which is a thriving hub of activity in any season. Visit Dam Square, Amsterdam’s beating heart, where you can admire the National Monument, Royal Palace, and New Church – and enjoy a host of street artist performances.

Museum Square, a cultural focal point in Amsterdam, is a must for culture lovers. The Van Gogh Museum is dedicated to the works of Vincent Van Gogh and his contemporaries, and the Rijksmuseum, the main national museum in the Netherlands, houses other famous works from the Dutch Golden Age, including Rembrandt’s Night Watch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid.

Visit the Anne Frank house where you’ll learn about the writer’s life growing up and her experiences under the Nazis.

At the Heineken Experience, you can tour the brewery and discover what’s behind one of the world’s favorite beers. Amsterdam’s Icebar is among its coolest venues - wrapped warmly in the jackets provided, you’ll drink from glasses made of ice in a bar sculpted from 35 tons of natural ice and kept at -10 degrees Celsius.

A half hour outside Amsterdam you’ll find Keukenhof, the largest flower park in the world which features the flowers that the Netherlands is most famous for. In the spring, you’ll have the opportunity to admire the spectacle and perfume of more than 7 million flowers, mainly tulips, in bloom. In the summer, the garden of the Keukenhof Castle is filled with different types of flowering dahlias which provide an overwhelming display of color.

Another not-to-be-missed day trip from Amsterdam is to the lovely Dutch countryside with stops in Zaanse Schans, the picturesque windmill village where you can visit a working windmill, and in Volendam, the charming, centuries-old fishing village with a historic harbor, colorful wooden houses, and working cheese factories. Speaking of cheese, Edam – the city made famous by the quintessentially Dutch cheese of that name – is another fascinating destination along this route. The trip wouldn’t be complete without a short boat ride to the island of Marken for a visit with a local traditional clog maker.

The Hague, the City of Peace and Justice and the political heart of the country, boasts many monuments, chic hotels, art museums, high-end shopping, and beautiful beaches. The Peace Palace, the result of collective cooperation of countries around the world, is a must-see with its impressive architecture, interior design, and gardens. The Mauritshuis Museum, located in the city center, houses Vermeer’s Girl with the Pearl Earring.

Need guidance? In the Netherlands, where postcards come to life, you’ll find attractive, exciting vacation spots to suit any travel style, and RoutePerfect is your address for planning, organizing, and booking your personalized dream vacation. Unlike any other company, RoutePerfect offers its exclusive popular itineraries written by tourism professionals and experienced travelers to jumpstart your planning, helping you to customize your travel and book your accommodations so that you can experience the country YOUR way.