There's more to the Netherlands than the cliches
There's more beyond the cliched image of old windmills, tulip-strewn fields and wood-clog wearing locals. This is a country with a long and fascinating history, where the past and present intertwine through the art, architecture and culture. The pretty canal-laden capital Amsterdam is home to a treasure trove of museums and art galleries, which highlight works from the masters of the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age through to contemporary works. Outside the cities, there's a beautiful, albeit flat, landscape best explored on the back of a bicycle and interesting wildlife to spot, particularly for birdwatchers.
Amsterdam's a good place to start in Netherlands
If you're a Netherlands newbie, the capital is undoubtedly the best place to start and with more galleries that you can shake your paintbrush at, this is ground zero for art lovers. One of the biggest art repositories is the ever-popular Rijksmuseum, which houses a vast collection within its early 19th-century walls. Afterwards, you should make a beeline for the Van Gogh Museum, which is home to 100s of paintings, drawings and letters from the celebrated Dutch master or the Rembrandt House Museum. The Anne Frank Museum serves as a fascinating look into Jewish lives during WWII and a poignant reminder of the horrors of war.
Cycling, cycling and more cycling in Netherlands
Outside the cities, there's a long list of outdoor adventures to be had on this pancake-flat country. However, you couldn't truly say you've been to the Netherlands unless you've seen it on the back of 2 wheels. Cycling has always been an important part of Dutch life, with more than a quarter of journeys made on the saddle. It matters little if you're staying in a city-based or countryside Netherlands vacation rental, the 32,000 kilometers of biking pathways that criss-cross the nation just beg to be ridden. Ditch the car and hop on your bicycle to see the Netherlands at its best.
No season disappoints in the Netherlands
The weather is very much dependent on where you go. The summertime peak season sees the biggest numbers of travelers bagging Netherlands vacation rentals, both in the capital and beyond. While it's true that the driest and sunniest weather is between June and August, you shouldn't discount the rest of the year. Both spring and fall see cooler and, arguably, more agreeable climes and with fewer travelers to contend with, the queues for attractions are considerably shorter, as are the numbers cycling or walking along the country trails. You'll also likely pick up a steal on Netherlands vacation rentals around this time.
Beyond the cities, wildlife thrives in Netherlands
While the Netherlands may be one of Earth's flattest countries, the wildlife is anything but. However, bar the odd city critter, you're not going to find much in the cities, but amongst the marshy forests, grasslands and national parks there are actually rather a lot. In certain areas there are some thriving beaver populations and in the valleys of Hoge Veluwe National Park you'll likely spot wild boar and red deer. Some of the country's last remaining black grouse live in the Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park, while woodpeckers are quite at home in the Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park.
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