Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

The Netherlands is rich in history and culture, best known for windmills, tulips, bicycles, canal-lined towns, and art.

The Dutch East India Company was established in 1602, and by the end of the 17th century Holland was one of the great sea and colonial powers of Europe. The nation's independence was not completely established until after the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648), when the country's rise as a commercial and maritime power began. In 1688, the English Parliament invited William of Orange, stadtholder, and his wife, Mary Stuart, to rule England as William III and Mary II. In 1814, all the provinces of Holland and Belgium were merged into one kingdom, but in 1830 the southern provinces broke away to form the kingdom of Belgium.

Amsterdam - A great cultural center famous for its network of canals, fabulous art museums and coffee houses where smoking marijuana is acceptable and legal.

The Anne Frank House - (Amsterdam) Where the daughter of a Jewish family, in hiding from the Nazis kept her poignant diary until their discovery and being sent to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

Hoge Veluwe National Park - (near Otterio) This is a strange mix of forests, woods, shifting sands and heathland. the Krollier-Muller Museum noted for its modern art collection.

The Hague - The Dutch political center has fin parliamentary buildings and museums built around the castle of the counts of Holland.

Delft - A charming seventeenth century town with quaint canals and bridges, home of Vermeer and the famed blue and white pottery.

Take a boat along Amsterdam's canals - a great way to see the city.

Boogie the night away at the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague.

Soak up the classical sounds of Amsterdam's prolific and famous Concertgebouw Orchestra

Rent a bike and cruise the network of Dutch cycle ways.

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