Holidays to Netherlands & Belgium

The Kingdom of the Netherlands (still commonly called Holland) is known for its lush flat landscape of canals, tulip fields, windmills and cycling routes. The picturesque capital of Amsterdam is permeated by over 160 canals, with their low bridges and lined by quaint 17th century homes. Dam Square has numerous restaurants, cafés and shops, and is home to the spectacular Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace), the attractive Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and the country's most important war memorial, the National Memorial Statue. Amsterdam is also home to the famous Rijksmuseum, with its amazing collection of old masters, the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House.

Among the most beautiful villages in the Netherlands are the small hamlets along the Ijsselmeer (Lake Ijssel), the freshwater lake that resulted from the closing of the sea entrance to the Zuider Zee. On the outskirts of the town of Lisse you will find Keukenhof, the largest public garden in the world that displays more than 700 varieties of tulips, which are at their height in April and May. You can also visit the fantastically preserved 18th century windmills of Kinderdijk near Rotterdam, the medieval hilltop castle at Valkenburg, De Haar Castle near Utrecht and Hoge Veluwe National Park, the largest natural reserve in the country.

Belgium has three distinctive regions, with Dutch-speaking Flanders to the north, French-speaking Wallonia to the south and a German-speaking community to the east. The European Union has its headquarters in Brussels, which is easily reached by direct Eurostar train service from London St Pancras. Belgium is known for its medieval towns, ornate guildhalls and wonderful Renaissance architecture, particularly impressive around the Grote Markt (Grand Place) - the central square of Brussels. Many charming towns are ideal for a short city break, such as the medieval market town of Bruges, and Ypres in Flanders, with its many war cemeteries, memorials and museums honouring the battles that unfolded in this region during World War I.

All our holidays to the Netherlands and Belgium can be tailor-made to your exact requirements, so if you have any special requirements, or need wheelchair accessible accommodation due to limited mobility, just let us know.