School is out. Summer is here. It is time to start thinking about your summer vacation. The good news, Europe is open to Americans again. Put on your wooden shoes. Here are five reasons I love vacationing in the Netherlands.
The #1 reason I love to vacation in the Netherlands- Canals
The Netherlands is a fascinating country. Most of it is located below sea level. They use sophisticated canal systems across the country and in their cities to keep them from flooding. It is even more unique than Venice. Be sure to take a canal tour while there. You will get a feel for how all of it works, and walk away with even better pictures.
Reason #2 – Sites
The Netherlands is a small country, yet it is packed with tons to see and do. You can see canals (see reason #1), churches, castles, and a surprising amount of really good museums. Get around and experience all of the sites.
Reason #3 – Cities
Amsterdam, the capital, is the best place to start. But don’t stop there. Visit other cities. Sure, they are small. Many are practically village size which makes them easy to visit. There is Haarlem, Delft, the Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Nijmegen, and Groningen to name a few. I could go on and on. You will be pleasantly surprised by the long list of small cities that are worth seeing in the Netherlands.
Reason #4 – Culture
Tulips, windmills, canals, and wooden shoes are all true parts of the culture. The Netherlands even has a decent café culture. Although you need to be careful. There is a big difference between a coffeehouse and a café. Let your nose tell you the difference so that you don’t get it wrong. Let’s not forget the cheese and beer. One of my favorite breweries in the world is located in Haarlem. It is called Jopen. They make divine beer there.
Reason #5 – Size
The Netherlands is tiny. Here is the advantage – it is super easy to get around. They have an efficient public transportation system. You can zip from town to town to town in less than an hour. Within a week Kim and I saw many different places while there and we were not rushed any of the time. Take advantage of the small size – you can see a ton in a week or less.
Three quick questions about vacationing in the Netherlands
- What is the region of the Netherlands I want to visit the most – I am not sure what to call it…the non-Holland part.
- What is the new region of the Netherlands I want to explore soon – small villages. There are a bunch.
- What is the obscure part of the Netherlands I want to discover – the Bridge too Far sites from WWII.
I am Doug Keating and this is my letter to sons.