The Netherlands in Bloom

Originally a dam in the river Amstel, Amsterdam today is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, as engineered dams, sea gates, and the 19-mile dyke walling out the Zuider Zee prevent this low-lying country from being reclaimed by the North Sea. Interestingly, the 17th century canals of Amsterdam located in the heart of the city have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main tourist attractions are undoubtedly the famous Museums such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum. Read more about Amsterdam, Netherlands

Hoorn is located on the IJsselmeer lake (formerly Zuiderzee), 35 kilometres north of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. During the 17th C it was a prosperous centre of the spice trade. The statue of Jan Pieterszoon Coen in Hoorn reminds of the hometown’s renowned (and excessively violent) Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies. Read more about Hoorn, Netherlands

Enkhuizen, formerly the Herring City, is a port located on IJsselmeer lake (formerly Zuiderzee), in the province of North Holland in the Netherlands. It was a key harbour-town for the Dutch East Indies Company around the 1650s, but as the harbour silted up its trade went to Amsterdam 50km to the south. The town of 18,000 is easily explored by foot or rental bicycle. Read more about Enkhuizen, Netherlands

Nijmegen is is situated on the Waal river, less than 10km from the German border. It is the oldest city in the Netherlands, celebrating its 2,000th year of existence in 2005. Its first mention in history was in the 1st century B.C. Read more about Nijmegen, Netherlands

The city of Maastricht, located on both sides of the Meuse river near the Belgian and German borders, is the capital of the Dutch province of Limburg, in the SE of the Netherlands. This city in the south of Holland boasts a series of beautiful historic little districts, welcoming and exceptionally good restaurants and eateries, and plenty of art and attractions. As one of the oldest cities in Holland be sure to visit the historic inner city with its churches, city walls, monumental merchant houses, and big squares that merge seamlessly with a comprehensive and varied range of shops. Read more about Maastricht, Netherlands

In the region of Flanders the city of Antwerp, situated on the eastern bank of the river Scheldt and joined to the North Sea by an estuary, is a major destination of Belgium. It claims to be the ‘world's leading diamond city’ and it has every right to do so, as more than 70% of all diamonds are traded here. Due to its long and culturally rich history, the city houses buildings built in varying historical periods with an interesting variety of architectural designs. Read more about Antwerp, Belgium

The little fortified town of Willemstad in the southern Netherlands is situated near the point where the wide river Hollands Diep divides into two arms. Between the two arms lies the island of Goeree-Overflakkee. It forms part of the Rhine-Meuse Delta. Read more about Willemstad, Netherlands

Rotterdam - located at the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta on the North Sea - is the largest port in Europe, and a perfect starting point for excursions to the cities of Holland. Few cities rebounded as quickly as Rotterdam following the Nazi invasion, which levelled the medieval heart of town, burning most of it to the ground. Today some of Europe's most bold contemporary architecture, such as the unique Cube Houses, can be found amid classic 18th and 19th C buildings in this, the greatest comeback city in the world. Read more about Rotterdam, Netherlands

Originally a dam in the river Amstel, Amsterdam today is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, as engineered dams, sea gates, and the 19-mile dyke walling out the Zuider Zee prevent this low-lying country from being reclaimed by the North Sea. Interestingly, the 17th century canals of Amsterdam located in the heart of the city have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main tourist attractions are undoubtedly the famous Museums such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum. Read more about Amsterdam, Netherlands

Originally a dam in the river Amstel, Amsterdam today is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, as engineered dams, sea gates, and the 19-mile dyke walling out the Zuider Zee prevent this low-lying country from being reclaimed by the North Sea. Interestingly, the 17th century canals of Amsterdam located in the heart of the city have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main tourist attractions are undoubtedly the famous Museums such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum. Read more about Amsterdam, Netherlands