Nestled between Germany to the east and Belgium to the south, this western European country is generally known for its countless tulips, its typical mills, its varied cheeses, its omnipresent bicycles and its legendary coffee-shops. The land level sometimes reaches nearly seven meters below sea level, a record in Europe, this has given the state the rightful title of the Netherlands. The North Sea rocks an archipelago forming a pretty marine lace, which one can discover preferably in summer by renting boats on the spot. South and North Holland are then the two most fashionable provinces, the rest of the country being for the moment relatively little visited. The landscapes, the calm and the nature are in contrast with the soft drugs, the red district and an active and varied culture. But the Netherlands goes beyond their clichés and offers visitors a picturesque stay of discovery. The Dutch all speak English fluently and are gifted in foreign languages, so communication with the locals is easy. Not to forget the east of the country which is very pretty (Betuwe) and also the province of Groningen and its lakes (Heeg, Sneek). You will love staying in the Netherlands for its natural beauty, developed culture and charming cities where typical Dutch landscapes mix land with sea and are often marked by polders and dykes. As far as the cities are concerned, Amsterdam, its brick-fronted capital, is full of art galleries, museums, green spaces, tangled canals and historic squares (e.g. Dam Square). An escapade through the famous red district and its windows is also a must. On sunny days, people are accustomed to the well-designed parks and Amsterdam breathes more. Thanks to the network of cycle paths, the city is flooded by bicycles that contribute to its unique charm. Nearby is the flowery town of Lisse and its Keukenhof, a breathtaking beauty during the spring tulip season (the park is open from March to May). Nowhere else are there so many colours and fragrances. Famous for its open mind and dynamic cultural life, the country has been appreciated by intellectuals of all eras, including the philosopher Erasmus. Very different from the capital, his hometown, Rotterdam, is nowadays a true praise to modern urbanism. The Hague and Maastricht, which rely on congress tourism through international criminal courts, remain to be seen. To go to Nimegue in July means to go to the gigantic market where nearly 30 000 walkers participate, the city is thus in celebration during one week. The Netherlands can be visited all year round thanks to its temperate oceanic climate; summers are relatively cool and winters quite marked. In spring, between March and May, for its impressive flower fields. In summer, to discover the coast and its scattered islands, each telling a new story. In winter and autumn, pleasant and intimate walks are possible, tourists are not too numerous. Visit one of the many hotels in the Netherlands and admire the canals, the gabled houses (like in Amsterdam) and the famous mills. A country without prejudices where social tolerance reigns: legislation is permissive with regard to cannabis and soft drugs, same-sex marriages are possible and electronic evenings invade cathedrals...

Art and culture in the Netherlands

It is the land of Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Gogh and Vermeer, all famous Dutch painters. It therefore offers visitors many quality museums. In Hoge Veluwe National Park is the Kröller-Müller Museum, a museum of modern indoor and outdoor painting and sculpture. Next, Amsterdam: Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdams Historisch Museum; The Hague: Mauritshuis, Cabinet Royal de peintures, Museon, Gemeentemuseum; Rotterdam: Musée Boymans-van Beuningen, Kunsthal de Rotterdam. The Netherlands also has two world-renowned film festivals: the Rotterdam International Film Festival (IFFR), specialising in first and second feature films, and the Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA). See also Kinderlijk, the Zans Ecomuseum.

What to visit in the Netherlands

Amsterdam (coffee shops, parks, museums...) is worth the trip itself but other cities deserve your attention. Do not hesitate to extend your getaway by renting a car in the Netherlands to visit Rotterdam, The Hague, Maastricht, the floral park Keukenhof, the North Sea islands. Marken, a small fishing village once an island and Volendam with its small old port. Kinderdijk and Zaanse Schans sites for beautiful landscapes with mills and traditional wooden houses. Edam, Gouda and the spectacular Alkmaar cheese market. The province of Utrecht with its main town bearing the same name.

To visit Amsterdam in the best conditions, here is a top 10 place not to be missed.

1. Prinsengracht

Amsterdam is a beautiful city with many canals. It is not for nothing that the city is nicknamed the Venice of the North. What to do in Amsterdam? Discover the canals on foot or by bike, including the Prinsengracht (the canal of the Flemish prince), one of the most famous of them.

2. Anne Frank House

If you are passionate about history, take advantage of your stay in Amsterdam and your walk along the Prince's canal to visit Anne Frank's house, known for its diary which revealed how the daily life of Jews took place during the darkest hours of the Shoah. Chilling, but very informative, this place is a must if you want to visit Amsterdam for a weekend. Allow 1 hour to 1 hour 30 to complete the tour.

3. Vondelpark

If the weather is fine during your weekend in Amsterdam, continue your visit to Amsterdam in the direction of Vondelpark, a beautiful 48-hectare park just a stone's throw from the city centre. On the way, pass by the Max Euwe square, located a stone's throw from the park and famous for its giant chessboard.

4. Rijksmuseum

During your weekend in Amsterdam, if it is not too late and you are an art lover, walk to the Rijksmuseum, one of Amsterdam's most famous museums, famous for its many paintings by Dutch masters. However, we regret the relatively high price of the museum: 17.50€ for an adult ticket, but it is true that visiting Amsterdam, city of culture and art, without visiting the Rijksmuseum would be a shame.

5. Jordaan

The day is already well advanced, and fatigue comes after all these visits to Amsterdam and these walks... If you want to rest after this day, go to Jordaan, one of the most chic areas of Amsterdam. You can admire many art galleries, eat or simply drink a beer on the terrace! Visiting Amsterdam is not easy as there are so many places to discover, a break will not be luxury.

6. Red light district

Besides the affectionate nickname "Venice of the North", Amsterdam also has a reputation as a sulphurous city. After all, this city is home to over 200 coffeeshops (where you don't just drink coffee) and also home to the Red Light District, a neighbourhood with several hundred prostitutes renting booths visible from the sidewalk. Whether you approve of such practices or not, one thing is certain: the red light district forges the identity of the city, it is a place to see when you want to visit Amsterdam.

7. Royal Palace

After a good night's rest, what to do in Amsterdam? Well, wake up and explore the city centre on foot and take advantage of your second day to visit the royal palace. Built in the 17th century and nicknamed by the locals the "8th wonder of the world" the place is monumental, it must be said. The info to shine in society: the ground of Amsterdam being marshy, more than 13 000 piles of wood were necessary to support the weight of the building...

8. Van Gogh Museum

If you like museums, enjoy your weekend in Amsterdam and visit the Van Gogh Museum, the city's other famous museum, where you can admire many works by this famous painter. Like the Rijksmuseum, it is difficult to visit Amsterdam without stopping there. Did you know that? While Van Gogh is today one of the most famous Dutch painters, during his lifetime he was misunderstood and only managed to sell one painting. He died in poverty.

9. Amsterdam wooden houses

In the 15th century, following two huge fires that ravaged Amsterdam, it was forbidden to build wooden houses... but the existing ones were of course not demolished. 6 centuries later, there are only two wooden houses left in Amsterdam located at Begijnhof 34 and Zeedijk 1. Can you find them when you visit Amsterdam?

10. Sex Museum

If the museums are too serious for you, take advantage of a visit to the Jordaan district to visit the sex museum, that's also Amsterdam. Very cheap - the entrance costs barely 4€ - you will discover in this museum the history of libertinage in the course of history. The museum also houses themed rooms - such as the room of the Marquis de Sade - and numerous sculptures and unequivocal objects. Certainly a little kitsch and tourist catch on the banks, this museum remains nevertheless an interesting place to visit between friends. Red Light District or sex museum, difficult to visit Amsterdam without discovering at least one of these places.

Gastronomic specialities in the Netherlands

Tasty, copious, but not very sophisticated, Dutch cuisine incorporates very good quality local products: broodje (bread), koffietafel (salad), maatje (salted herring, which is eaten raw); smoked fish : halibut, eel, mackerel, salmon ; erwtensoep (thick soup with split peas) ; vanilla or chocolate flan (almost yoghurt with multiple flavours), drop (black licorice candies), vlaai (regional pastry with leavened pastry filled with fruit or compote) ; Gouda and edam cheeses and beers La Trappe, Grolsch, Hertog Jan, Amstel, Amsterdam, Heineken, Dommelsch. Did it all make your mouth water? So what are you waiting for to book a flight to the Netherlands?