Amsterdam
Amsterdam has something for everyone: Van Gogh and Rembrandt museums, unique merchant-house architecture, the Anne Frank House, historic canals crossed by 1,000 bridges, and 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.

Maastricht
Dating from pre-Roman times, this provincial capital is Holland's oldest city. Located near both Belgium and Germany, the city has always been of strategic importance. It is important in the soccer world too: The biggest spring tournament takes place here. This lovely city in the south of Holland also attracts many college teams. They find soccer, beauty and history.

Maastricht was besieged 21 times; 9 of the 100 castles of Limburg province can be found here. The heart of Maastricht is its central square, 't Vrijthof, ringed by numerous cafes and monuments. The square includes the 10th century St. Servaas Church and "In Den Ouden Vogelstruys," a café opened in 1312.