In my early days of traveling, I was always confused about the difference between the Netherlands and Holland. I eventually learned that Holland isn’t actually another name for the entire country, although it’s commonly used that way. North Holland and South Holland are two of the Netherlands’ twelve provinces and include some of the country’s best-known cities, including Amsterdam.
The Netherlands is known for its historic cities, canals, cycling culture, museums and remarkably flat landscape. It’s also a country I’ve returned to several times over the years. My first visit was brief and unplanned, but later trips gave me the opportunity to explore more of Amsterdam as well as The Hague and Eindhoven.
Explore Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most famous cities, known for its canals, historic architecture, museums and lively nightlife. Its famously liberal reputation attracts plenty of visitors, but there’s much more to the city than its coffee shops and Red Light District. Amsterdam is also home to world-class museums, beautiful neighborhoods and one of the most extensive cycling cultures of any major city I’ve visited.
Explore The Hague
The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government and one of the world’s most important centers for international law. The city is home to the Peace Palace, the International Court of Justice and numerous other international organizations. Beyond international politics, The Hague has royal palaces, museums, historic architecture, restaurants and nightlife. It’s also only a short distance from the beaches of Scheveningen along the North Sea.
Explore Eindhoven
With a history stretching back more than 800 years, Eindhoven grew from a small medieval town into one of the Netherlands’ leading centers for technology, engineering and design. Philips was founded here in 1891 and played an enormous role in shaping the modern city. Today Eindhoven remains closely associated with innovation, technology and education, while its industrial past has been transformed into museums, creative spaces and some unusual modern architecture.
