Running through the heart of Utrecht, the Oude Gracht ('old canal') is the major artery of the…read morecity. It's lined with many shops at street level and bars and restaurants at the level below. It also hosts a weekly flower market on Saturday morning. Yes, it can get a tiny bit seedy at night with rowdy students ('bralapen') and it isn't always as clean as one would like, but this all adds to the charm. It's truly a wonderful place to hang out any time of day or year. The oude gracht was built in the 1100's by upgrading and taming a former branch of the River Rhine. The mooring level (accessible by steep steps from road level), where goods would be loaded and unloaded, gives access to deep tombs / caverns that extend below the road and under the shops above. In the old days used for storage, they have now mostly been transformed into bars and eateries. It's hard to miss the oude gracht when you're in Utrecht as many of the city's landmarks, including the Dom tower / church and various museums are located close by. Enjoy this place. It's awesome. But, be careful of bicyclists as you stroll around; you'll likely have your eyes on façades or the water below!

Rapenburg 25, built in 1654 is a considered one of the finest examples of the Dutch classical…read morestyle. As it once was home to Johannes Thysius, after his death it was preserved as library of his collected works. Thanks to Leiden University, publishers and printers such as the Elzevier family, flourished. Leiden was considered a city of books and those that were forbidden elsewhere in Europe were printed in Leiden including books by the Italian scientist Galileo and the French philosopher Descartes. Of note, Descartes lived at Rapenburg 23 in 1640.

This sink is located inside of a university and not a museum! It's free to get in but you can be…read moreout of luck if there are classes held in the classroom that the sink is in. Fortunately we did not have this problem! To get in just ask the guard to see the 'Sitterzaal' and then go into the far back corner, it's completely worth it if you are an Einstein fan!

They have guides on different languages. Their list is pretty big. Inside you can find some…read moreinteresting artifacts which will tell you history about Leiden city and this place. Just 1 thing looks to us a bit strange that was a too warm inside. We've found that 250€ per day goes to keep this whole building warm. But we do not know why. Because another similar kerks in Netherlands is pretty cold inside in every season.

If there was one word to describe this historic site it would be ethereal. The space is fluid and…read morelight. Details on the floor, windows and walls will keep you here longer than expected. Enjoy.

what a fantastic way to see Rotterdam which I found to be even more interesting having been on a…read moretour with Rotterdam ByCycle - we had a brilliant tour leader by the name of Iris - she was fantastic and really gave us such a great introduction to Rotterdam and it's architecture, and much much more - a fabulous way to learn more about this great place and a really nice way to spend a few hours! Try it - you'll be so pleased you did!!

A small city in the South of the Netherlands. Known for its cheese and historical churches, its an…read moreeasy day trip from most of Holland. And well worth a visit as a tourist. I came here when I had some free time and was so happy I did. I had been as a child, but as an adult it was really much more interesting. Lots of history here, of course Holland/The Netherlands has been around a while, and so has this town. Its an old town, from around 1100 when a family named van der Goude occupied and started to develop the area. It has had a few iterations over the hundreds of years, some fires, plagues, occupations etc. So its had to rebuild itself a few times. These days its a thriving city that holds the Gouda cheese market. The cheese itself is made in the region, but brought to the city for grading and selling. In the city you can enter a few Gouda stores and sample some of the various cheeses and flavors. You can of course also buy the cheese here. Gouda also makes many of the stroopwaffels sold worldwide. Its a typical Dutch cookie, and well loved by all who sample one. They originated in Gouda, although they are now made worldwide. Its a very walkable city and has some areas that don't allow cars in the city center. Makes for a great day. Get a map of the city, or use the ones on the street every so often, visit the Gothic churches and buildings, walk along the canals, sample some cheese, visit the Gouda Museum. Learn some history along the way. Parking restrictions are very enforced here so park carefully and mindfully. Also, remember where you parked if you plan to walk the city.

Gouda was a fun town to visit for a day. We came here on cheese market day and went around to the…read moredifferent vendors, sampling cheeses. We also visited some stores, including the stroopwafel factory that was very memorable for their interior human-sized hamster wheel and 2-story indoor slide.

We took a walking tour while here- it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I loved looking at all the…read morewindmills & there is even one that you can climb up in to (small admission fee). The whole place is just beautiful with benches to sit on to enjoy and relax. Definitely check out climbing up in to the windmill- you can see the huge gears & how the living situation is set up in there with the small spaces. They have a few food stands to order snacks/food by the entrance/gift shop. We ordered a stroopwaffle which was freshly made in front of you & you had the option of picking toppings.

Kinderdijk is one of the most iconic and beautiful places in the Netherlands -- a UNESCO World…read moreHeritage Site famous for its 19 historic windmills, scenic canals, and peaceful countryside atmosphere. Kinderdijk literally means "Children's Dike" in Dutch. The Origin Story is a Famous Dutch Legend -- that during a massive flood in the 1400s, rescuers found a cradle floating on the water. Inside was a baby -- and a cat jumping back and forth to keep the cradle balanced so it wouldn't tip over. When people saw this cradle drifting toward the dike, they called the place Kinderdijk = Kinder (child) + dijk (dike). Once you walk into the area, you would feel like you've entered a fairy, legendary place. The area is absolutely beautiful and so peaceful, with tall, majestic windmills rising above the landscape. It is a must visit spot whenever you're in the Netherlands.

magical & gorgeous & serene. this is the quieter of canals in Leiden. still, the boats do pass…read morethrough here as do the Leiden swans!