Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is one reason many travelers use this low country behind the dikes as their European hub. However, continuing on tour without staying a while is a big mistake. The small, friendly country of Holland is known for its tulips, windmills and great painters such as Rembrandt and van Gogh. Insiders know, however, that in any Dutch city, town or village you will find the finest sports facilities in Europe.

Amsterdam
Amsterdam has something for everyone: Van Gogh and Rembrandt museums, unique merchant-house architecture, the Anne Frank House, historic canals crossed by 1,000s of bridges, flowers and diamonds. You can walk everywhere with ease, and nowhere in the world will you find friendlier or prouder people. Volendam and Zaanse Schans, north of Amsterdam, provide a look at the Holland of a few centuries ago, including (of course!) windmills and traditional wooden shoes. South of Amsterdam lies Leiden, dating from Roman times, and Delft, where 300 artists paint porcelain the traditional way.