The Netherlands - Compact, varied, international
Though small and compact the landscape is highly varied, with woodland and sandy heath in the south and east. Protected from the sea by dikes, the reclaimed polder land of the west and north features many rivers, canals, lakes, sandy beaches and bulb fields. Windmills and castles abound and there are 55,000 listed buildings. Most densely populated is the Randstad conurbation including Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht, each with their own distinctive character, attractions and traditions.

Interesting places 
Places of interest in central Holland include the Kröller-Müller Museum (Van Gogh collection, sculpture garden) set in the attractive heath and woodland of the vast Hoge Veluwe National Park. Near Arnhem are the Oosterbeek war memorials and the Dutch Open Air Museum: an enormous park with authentic old farms, windmills and buildings from around the country. The picturesque water village of Giethoorn is Holland's miniature version of Venice. Down south in Limburg the ancient Roman baths in Heerlen are also worth a visit, as is the 'white city' of Thorn with its ancient abbey for men and women.