If you've gotten over the notion of the country's largest airport being below rising sea levels, the liberal politics in practice here may fail to startle you, though they'll certainly try. Assuming you know all about Holland's herbal reputation, it might be an education to learn that in 2001 same-sex marriages were made legal, making Holland the most "gay-friendly" country in the world.

Windmills and clogs are not as commonplace as the cliché leads you to believe, though bicycles and tulips are, and renting a bike for a tour of the tulip fields is a must in spring. Taking a canal tour is a relaxing, educational way to see Amsterdam, and miles of windy beaches and cascading dunes give kids an opportunity to let off some steam.

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Selected places to go in the Netherlands

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