Outdoor cafés for people-watching, inviting restaurants, markets, and alehouses line picturesque streets. You can shop to your heart’s content in exclusive boutiques, trendy shops and antique stores. There is no shortage of activities for children either. Dozens and dozens of attractions are available for children and families – including ” a land where children are in charge. ” Don’t miss Keukenhof Gardens, the worlds’ largest tulip gardens. And if you want to see nature at its best – then explore Holland by foot or bike. Holland is the ultimate biking and hiking country with a network of paths that make it all quite easy and enjoyable. We feel the best way to experience the area is on a river cruise.
Here is an overview of some of the areas in Holland:
Edam:
The little town of Edam, in the Dutch province of North Holland, used to be the centre of Dutch cheese exports. Nowadays Edam cheese is produced all over The Netherlands. Its round shape and red colour are very distinctive. Edam’s red appearance is obtained by dipping or spraying with wax which at the same time gives the cheese a protective coating.
Today Edam is a town with authentic 17th century architecture, convincing proof of its rich past. When walking along the old streets and quiet canals, one can easily imagine how it must have been in a Dutch town centuries ago.
Well preserved gables, squares, bridges and monuments capture and hold the attention of the visitor.
A stroll takes one past the tea-houses on the ‘Schepenmakersdijk’, the leaning Carillon tower (1561), the museum with the floating cellar and the Tourist Information on the Dam square -once the town hall of Edam- to the ‘Grote Kerk’ (Great Church).
This church is one of the largest churches in the Netherlands. It has an extraordinary collection of richly coloured stained glass windows dating from the 17th century.
Edam has more to offer: cosy shopping streets and convivial terraces where once can enjoy a drink, a bite to eat and the local colour. There is the ‘Strandbad’, a campsite on the edge of the IJsselmeer. Countless water-sport fans from far and near have found their way to this campsite and public swimming area, just outside of Edam.
Willemstad, Holland
Strolling through Willemstad, you will see the new town built around the original 16th century fortification, the architecture of which is in tact and well preserved. Quaint waterways cut through, trees line the neighborhood streets and cobblestone pedestrian walk-ways meander along the town’s sites.
Zierikzee
Founded in 1248, Zierikzee’s canal is scenic with small trees lining its banks. Along the Oosterschelde river, you can tour via refurbished old ships or on your own. It is a small town where the primary attraction is the Sint-Lievensmonstertoren gothic tower, allegedly reported to have been planned to be twice the size in height as it currently stands.
