Netherlands

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a country that almost shouldn't exist. Not because the little Dutch boy took his finger out of the dike. But because more than half of the area of the entire country is below sea level. Amsterdam alone is laced with 160 canals, crossed by more than 1200 bridges. No wonder it's called the Venice of the North. But for such a small country, there's a lot to see and a unique world to experience. Any time of year is great for a trip to the Netherlands. Spring brings a tapestry of tulips and daffodils as well as Koningennedag, celebration of the Queen's birthday, in April. Summer is a perfect, although crowded time to visit. You can enjoy a boat tour through the canals of Amsterdam, days of swimming and sunning on the beach resorts of Rotterdam, and even rent bicycles and see the small towns. In the fall, the sometimes rainy weather is perfect for enjoying the plethora of fantastic museums, galleries and historical sights from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven and The Hague. You may catch some spectacularly beautiful Indian Summer days that take your breath away. And even though the winter cold can bite, skating on the canals is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and there are no crowds to hold you back as you explore this captivating combination of history, geography, idealogy and entertainment often erroneously called "Holland."