The Netherlands and Belgium
Two countries you can not skip when going to Europe. I always ask people who have been to Europe what they find interesting about this bundle of diverse countries, and almost all the answeres are the same, culture, food, people, history, art and architecture. Keep in mind that this little country is 1/3 rd of the size of Tasmania and hosts 17.000.000 people! Many people who visit The Netherlands talk about Amsterdam and how wonderful it is. So, I would like to take the opportunity to convince you to visit other parts of The Netherlands and discover the real Netherlands. Having lived in The Netherlands (or “Holland” as it is also known), the biggest part of my life, I can give you first class insider information about other hotspots to visit besides Amsterdam.
The Netherlands has a rich history (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Golden_Age#Wealth_and_birth_of_Corporate_Finance) and has been ruled by the Romans, Spanish, French and Germans. Each of these leaving behind a part of their own culture and history which can still be seen across the country today. The Netherlands offers a wide variety of architecture in the form of cathedrals, old cities and villages surrounded by motes (up to 2000 yrs old) and in the southern parts castles. But that is not all! There are a great amount of activities you can participate in, and will love for sure. Some of these are canoeing through the channels of Utrecht, a bicycle tour bourgondian style (you get snacks along the way in traditional style) in Brabant, visit the lime caves and hilly country side of Limburg and one not to forget is wadlopen or mud flat walking in the nothern part of the Netherlands on the top islands of the Netherlands, where you can see seals. Those are just a few things not to miss on your visit to the Netherlands.
Belgium is like the Netherlands but with more country side and hills/mountains and ski regions. Belgium is like the southern parts of the Netherlands, the people like the bourgondian style of living and are proud of that. The cities have world class restaurants (and you will certainly find your favorite too). Belgium also has a rich history and is split up into two parts - the Dutch speaking part and the French speaking part. Some of the famous Belgium cities you might have heard of are Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent and Bruges - each beautiful and with their own history and all within a short drive from each other. Getting to Paris is just as easy, from my old home town ('s-Hertogenbosch) it is 500km to Paris, going west from the Netherlands it is 600km to Berlin and going to London is a short flight ($40) from Amsterdan. You can even drive to France within a day by hopping on the train with your car and then you can drive to London once you have arrived on the other side. So, as you can see you have plenty of oppertunities to easily reach other amazing cities from the Netherlands and Belgium.
The Netherlands truly are a gateway to all the other countries in Europe, mainly because of the airport in Amsterdam and many low budget airlines. Most of these countries are within 2.5 hours of flying and just as easy as going from Brisbane to Melbourne. Did I awaken your curiousity? would you like to visit the Netherlands for yourself and visit the places your parents grew up in or visit your parents/great grand parents family? Why wait? Send me an e-mail or call me and we can discuss your next trip!