The Netherlands are world-famous for the production of tulips, and nowhere is this more in evidence than at Keukenhof Gardens, located a short distance from the town of Leiden. Open to the public for 60 years, the gardens have drawn more than 44 million visitors from all over the world, and for good reason. Here, tourists can roam a flower garden so large it boggles the imagination. There are almost 80 acres of not just tulips, but also hyacinths, daffodils, and other blooms. An apt size comparison is to remember that all of Disneyland, California sits on a 100-acre plot.
After you have had your fill of flowers, head to Amsterdam for a completely different cultural experience. The old city centre is made up of canal rings. Here, you can board a tourist cruise and see the city from the canals; the more adventurous visitor can rent a boat and navigate the canals on his own.
The largest museum in the Netherlands is located in Amsterdam. Attracting more than a million guests each year, the Rijksmuseum features masterpieces of Dutch Art as well as a collection of vintage doll houses from the 17th century and traditional tableware from the same period. The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam focuses on the life and work of this great post-Impressionist painter.
Tourists staying in holiday homes in the Netherlands should also seek out the Begijnhof, where a narrow passageway leads into a charming garden square with old houses on every side. Entry to this attraction is free, even though No.34 in the square is the oldest house in Amsterdam.
