This week we are going to talk about another very interesting place on earth, the host country of the three famous cities in the world (Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague), the Netherlands. This Western European country, which name literally means “Low Countries”, was once referred to as the Holland.
The Netherlands is known internationally for being the first nation in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. It is likewise known as the first country to have an elected parliament. Because of the highly fertile soil that the Netherlands has, it is able to produce and export agricultural and food products which make the country the second leading exporter after the United States. The Netherlands is also the source of two thirds of the world’s flower supply including flower bulbs and fresh-cut plants.
Now we know a little about the background of Netherlands, let us see what else we can enjoy in the country. And discover the top 20 wonderful places in the country that make it one of the most famous holiday destinations in the world.
1. Efteling Theme Park Resort
If you are looking for a great destination where you can spend a memorable enchanted day, then the Efteling Theme Park Resort is a perfect pick. Old and young alike will surely enjoy a day of fairy tale and amusement at this theme park in Kaatsheuvel. The Efteling Theme Park Resort or simply Efteling Park is the widest amusement park in the country. It is also among the most ancient in the world. One of its famous signature attractions is the Fairy tale Forest. The park also stages different shows like the spectacular ‘Raveleijn’ show that are definitely entertaining. Go on a daredevils test by riding on a 75 km/h fast roller coaster called the ‘Joris en de Draak’. The newest addition to the park’s huge list of attractions is the Aqunura which is currently known for being the biggest water show in Europe.
2. Royal Burgers’ Zoo
Receiving almost 1.5 million guests per year is one of the country’s largest zoos, the Royal Burgers’ Zoo. The zoo offers 8 different theme sites. These sites are the safari park called the Burgers’ Safari, the original zoo Burgers’ Dierenpark, the indoor tropical rain forest known as the Burgers’ Bush, the indoor desert named as the Burgers’ Desert, the Burgers’ Mangrove, the giant seawater aquarium called the Burgers’ Ocean, the Indoor playground Burgers’ Kids Jungle and the Burgers’ Rimba which is the newest addition to the zoo’s attractions.
3. Keukenhof Gardens
The Keukenhof Park, translated in English as the kitchen garden, is one of the most stunning and the largest flower gardens in the world. It is located in the 5th-century hunting grounds in the small town of Lisse, the Netherlands. Every year, the park plants around 7 million flower bulbs all over the 79 acres land area. The Keukenh Park which is also oftentimes called as the Garden of Europe is scheduled to open only from mid-March to mid-May. The park organizes a glamorous Flower Parade every mid of April. One the other hand, the grounds of Castle Keukenhof which is also located inside the vicinity of the park are accessible all year round. The place is often used as a venue for a couple of festivals and events including the Ladies Winter Night, the Christmas Fair, the Castle-fest and classical music performances
4. Anne Frank House
Opened on May 3, 1960, the Anne Frank House is a unique museum with rich history. The museum itself tells the life and experiences of the famous Jewish wartime memoirist Anne Frank. The house, specifically the Secret Annex, served as the hiding place of Anne and her family for twenty four months to get away from the Nazi persecution during the World War II. This biographical and historical museum is rated as the third most visited and most popular museum in the Netherlands. Now, the museum houses various permanent exhibitions and some exhibition spaces that display the life of Anne Frank during the war, including the different types of persecution and discrimination of the Jews during the time of war.
5. Rijksmuseum – Rembrant van Rijn
The Rijksmuseum or the State Museum is the most visited and the largest museum in the Netherlands, specially dedicated to one of the greatest Dutch painters and etchers named Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. The Rijksmuseum can be found at the Museum Square near the Van Gogh Museum, the Concertgebouw and the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam in Amsterdam. The museum stages more than 100 paintings, prints and drawings of Rembrandt that he made during the final phase of his life. The collections were gathered from various museums and private collectors from around the world. Up to date, the museum exhibits around 8,000 items related to art and history including the masterpieces of Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt.
6. Van Gogh Museum
Next to the State Museum, the Van Gogh Museum is the second most visited museum in the country. This art museum is devoted to the world famous Dutch Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh as well as to his contemporaries. The Van Gogh Museum is also located in Amsterdam South just like the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum. The museum houses the world’s largest collection and the widest selection of the drawings, letters and paintings made by Van Gogh.
7. Hoge Veluwe National Park
The National Park De Hoge Veluwe, known in English as The Hoge Veluwe National Park, is a Dutch national park that occupies a total land area of 55 square kilometers. During spring time the woodlands, heath lands and sand dunes of the national park serve as the home for approximately 150 Roe Deer, 50 Wild Boar, 200 Red Deer, 200 Mouflon and some badgers, European Pine Marten as well as foxes. The Hoge Veluwe National Park is located in the Veluwe in the province of Gelderland. It is known for being one among the country’s largest nature reserves.
8. Duinrel + Tikibad
Loosen up and add some spice to your Netherlands adventure by going out for a splashing day out at the Amusement Park Duinrell. This amusement park is wonderfully situated in the forest just a stone away from the wide beach. Both young and adults alike will surely enjoy the spectacular and exciting attractions in the park. Of the exciting attractions in this beautiful amusement park, the Tropical Tiki Pool is the most famous. The Tropical Tiki Pool is not just a typical swimming pool. The pool highlights eleven distinctive slides and more than one kilometer of aquatic fun.
9. Alkmaar Cheese Market
One of the seasonal tourist magnets in the Netherlands and among the most famous attractions in the country is the Alkmaar Cheese Market. The cheese market is being held every year in the Waagplein square of Alkmaar, North Holland. The season starts every first Friday of April and ends every first Friday of September. Dating back to 1593, the market has long become a significant part of the country’s culture and it also come to be the area’s prominent tradition. Aside from the best tasting and world class quality cheese, there are likewise several interesting things you can see around the area that journeys you to the rich culture and traditions of the Dutch. Among these things are the displays of fascinating medieval decorations, wearing of the traditional costumes, and other spectacles.
10. Science Center Nemo
The Science Center Nemo, also popularly called as simply Nemo Museum in Amsterdam-Centrum, is a science center that displays many different science exhibitions and experiments. What makes this museum unique from some other science museums in Europe is that the attractions offered by the museum changes from time to time. Kids will enjoy playing with giant soap bubbles. They can as well have the chance to do their own test experiments in the chemistry lab as well as produce their own music and videos in the Media Lab. Grown-ups of different ages can also enjoy unraveling murder inscrutabilities with the DNA technology, checking on the different experiments and gadgets as well as disassembling ancient electronics.
11. Diergaarde Blijdorp
The Stichting Koninklijke Rotterdamse Diergaarde, translated as the Foundation Royal Zoo of Rotterdam, is one of the most ancient and one among the most beautiful zoological gardens in the country. It is located in the northwestern part of Rotterdam. The zoo, which is oftentimes called Diergaarde Blijdorp, also highlights a botanical garden and an Oceanium where you will be taken to the magical world under the sea.
12. Dom Tower of Utrecht
Standing on the exact same site where the city of Utrecht arose from around 2,000 years back is the tallest church tower in the country, the Dom Tower or Domtoren. This ancient Gothic-style tower stands 368 feet high. Climbing to the top of the tower through the 465 steps staircase will give you a spectacular bird’s eye view of the entire city of Utrecht.
13. Museum Speelklok
Regardless of whether you are a music lover or not, you will surely get fascinated with what the Museum Speelklok can offer you. The Museum Speelklok, hitherto called the as Museum van Speelklok tot Pierement, is indisputably the most melodious museum of the world. The museum displays a vast collection of musical instruments that play automatically. Most of the items, though some are already hoary, are still in good working condition and can still play their own music. Included in the items in the collection are the barrel organs, musical boxes, musical clocks, Flötenuhren, carillon clocks, orchestrions, fairground, dance organs and the singing nightingale.
14. Binnenhof
Sitting just next to the small lake in the city of Hague called the Court Pond or the Hofvijver is the world‘s most ancient House of Parliament that is still in use, the Binnenhof. This famous landmark in the historic center of the city is considered as the heart of the Dutch government. Among those included in the complex of buildings is the home of the Dutch throne called Ridderzaal or Hall of Knights.
15. Vredespaleis
The Vredespaleis, translated as the Peace Palace, is a grand brick building in the city of The Hague constructed in a mixture of Neoclassical and Gothic styles. It was built between 1907 and 1913 and was principally bankrolled by the Scottish American philanthropist and industrialist Andrew Carnegie. Apart from the splendid gardens, the palace is also famous for having a lengthy arcaded façade. It is known to be the seat of international law in the Netherlands. Being housed in the palace are the three essential transnational organizations, namely; The Hague Academy of International Law, the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
16. Scheveningen Resort and Kurhaus
Should you be looking for an ideal spot where you can relax and enjoy swimming, then you may choose to visit Scheveningen Resort. Apart from the nice sand, sun and sea, holidaymakers will also enjoy a variety of activities in the Scheveningen Resort like horseback riding, biking along the beach, sun bathing and walking among the dunes. The main sightseeing spot in the area that is worth a visit is the Grand Hotel Amrâth Kurhaus The Hague or simply the Kurhaus, a grand hotel and at the same time a historic building in The Hague that was used to bea holiday destination for several heads of state and kings during its heyday.
17. Duivenvoorde Castle
In the humble town of Voorschoten located 15 kilometers away from The Hague stands one of the most ancient fortresses in South Holland, the Duivenvoorde Castle. This charming castle still holds the well preserved original furnishings and decorations of the van Duivenvoordes family like the family portraits, several silver items, European and Chinese porcelain collections and Delftware. The castle is one of the very few castles in the country that has never been sold and that was owned by only one family.
18. Canals of Amsterdam
One of the top things that you may find magnificent about the Netherlands is its extensive canals. The city of Amsterdam is famous for its one hundred kilometers of canals, 1500 bridges, 1550 monumental buildings and 90 islands. Most of the main attractions in the city can easily be reached by boat tour or by riding on a water taxi. Cruising alone along the wonderful canals in the city will definitely make your Netherlands adventure worth remembering for.
19. Cube Houses
Rotterdam has become famous for having the uniquely resplendent cube houses or Kubuswoningen. These highly innovative houses are a product of the genius mind of the Dutch architect Piet Blom. The houses are literally tilted at 45 degrees angle positioned upon a hexagonal pylon. Each of the houses is consists of three tiers which can be accessed using the narrow staircase. The first tier, which is the triangular portion, can be used as the house’s living area. The middle tier was designed to be the bathing and sleeping room, whilst, the top level is just a spare area and it can be used according to how the home owner wants it. It can be utilized as an auxiliary bed space, living area, a library or a small office perhaps.
20. Sint Servaasbrug
The oldest and one of the most popular bridges in the Netherlands is Sint Servaasbrug. This 160 meters arched stone footbridge was named after Maastricht’s first bishop Saint Servatius. It was built across the Meuse River to connect pedestrian traffic between the district of Binnenstad and the district of Wyck. The original wooden bridge, which collapsed in 1275, was built by Romans in AD 50. The present structure was constructed sometime between 1280 and 1298.
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