The Netherlands extend over 41,863sq km- 16,163sq miles, of which 33,937sq km – 12,895sq miles are drained.The longest distance from one end of the country to the other is 310km - 193 miles. Over the years the name Holland has come to designate all the Netherlands. In fact, this old province - separated since 1840 into North Holland and South Holland supplanted the other regions of the United Provinces in the 17th C. due to its economic prosperity and its predominant political role. In the Golden Age Holland was the Capital of the World. And it shows.

Amsterdam has the most ‘museum per square inch’ of the world. Filled with modern art, Dutch design, paintings from famous Dutch painters such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Mondriaan, etc. Of all the monuments in Holland the castles may be the most impressive. The Netherlands has some three hundred of them. You can find them in every province. Near Utrecht you can find some of the most beautiful castles. Step inside the gates of the Muiderslot and Slot Loevestein, the two best known castles in Holland. Visit the majestic Het Loo Palace near Apeldoorn, where three centuries of the Royal House of Orange come to life or the magnificent rooms of Duivenvoorde Castle, furnished as if they were still lived in.

A country of water - Ever since the 16th century, hundreds of thousands of Dutch people have been living on the bottom of former lakes, reclaimed by a persistent fight against water; part of the country is covered by large rivers, whose estuaries form an immense delta. In addition, Ijssel Lake, a large fresh water lake which replaced the Zuiderzee still covers 120,000ha – 296,400 acres, and ponds, small lakes, canals and streams abound in the country, above all in Friesland. In order to make this possible, many windmills were used to drain the land and keep it dry. Windmills still form an important element of water management in these low lands. From the original number of windmills Holland boasted just over 150 years ago (well over 10,000), only 1,000 remain today. Fortunately, these living monuments are now protected and many of them are open to the public, at set times. Half the west of the country is a plain which is less than 5m - 16 ft above sea level, This is the most populated part of the country. On the other hand, in the east, the Veluwe hills are 100m - 328ft high (106m - 348ft at Zijpenberg to the northeast of Arnhem), and Drielandenpunt is the highest point in the country, 321m - 1 053ft at the junction of the German and Belgian frontiers.

Floriade is the most beautiful garden in Holland. This world horticultural exhibition is held once every ten years. Floriade 2002 was the fifth edition and an extra festive event! You can visit the Floriade from the beginning of April through October when scheduled!

Check our "Rhapsodies" for quick city visits' rates. Rhapsodies are 2 or 3 nights program in major cities with hotel accommodation selected by central location and value. usually, a city tour is also included. Use them as they are for a single city visit or combine them for a more complete program. To check rates, select the date of your stay from the calendar that will appear.