Tradition and innovation intertwine here: artistic masterpieces, centuries-old windmills, tulip fields and romantic candlelit cafés coexist with visionary architecture, cutting-edge design and phenomenal nightlife.

With much of its territory below sea level, it’s no wonder everyone talks about the Netherlands as a land of wonderful canals. But that’s just one of this country’s many appeals. Due to its relatively small size it is easy to visit the Netherlands fairly quickly and to see a lot of the country in a short space of time. Scattered throughout, you will also find picturesque windmills, colorful flower fields, idyllic villages, and vibrant cities rich in art, culture, and history.

Those who wish they could travel back in time and visit the true European Architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries have come to the right place.

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In order to complete your trip while in Amsterdam, you'll definitely want to check out the following cities:

• The Hague - Den Haag serves up an enticing blend of cultural expressions from the past and present, in an environment that bustles and relaxes in equal measure. Between your time spent visiting its stellar museums, galleries and performance venues, you can also indulge in global-inspired fare, or soak up the sun by the sand dunes. Perhaps it’s time to turn your attention to this artistic city on the North Sea.

• Holland / Zeeland - For a real sense of unbridled freedom head up or down the North Sea coast. The Netherlands has wisely restricted development along this corridor, making it a natural haven of dunes, forest and beaches, and access is as easy as hopping on a bike and following the LF-1, the coastal long-distance bike route (which runs 330km from Noord-Holland to Zeeland).

• Rotterdam - Today, the port – Europe's largest – is the lifeblood of this vibrant Dutch city and the entire waterfront is packed with attractions, from maritime museums to boat tours, cycle ways and superb harbour-front dining, along with visionary new developments.

• Utrecht - One of the Netherlands' oldest cities, Utrecht is often overlooked by visitors to the country who make a beeline for the likes of Amsterdam and Delft. The world-famous cycling race kicked off in Utrecht attracting spectators to the medieval and laid-back student-filled city.

• Delft - A pint-sized version of Amsterdam, Delft has canals circulating the city, bikes instead of cars, and streets lined with handsome, three-story brick buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries.

• Leiden - Woven with canals lined by beautiful 17th-century buildings, its cache of museums, all within walking distance of each other, are a major draw, as is wandering the picturesque canals and soaking up the nightlife.

• Maastricht - Touching Belgium on its west and just a few miles from Germany to the east, Maastricht is the capital of Holland’s southernmost region, Limburg. A town rich in history and culture, Maastricht boasts two wonderful town squares: Vrijthof, with Sint-Servaas Church, Sint-Jan's Cathedral and many bars, cafes and restaurants; and Markt, home to the town hall and, on Wednesday and Friday mornings, a fantastic vendor market.