Car Rental Netherlands - Exploring Netherlands

Exploring the Netherlands’ countryside is a little difficult, much of it is reclaimed and beneath sea level, making the entire country relatively flat and criss-crossed by canals and dykes.

Once an important commercial centre, Haarlem retains its ancient charm and is sleepy by comparison to its neighbouring cities that have outgrown it. Once an important trade centre it has aspects of Amsterdam but is less touristy.

Delft is a tiny, over visited, but quaint town famous for its pottery. The Keukenhof, south of Haarlem, is the world's largest garden. It attracts a staggering 800,000 people during its eight-week season each year. Volendam and Marken are two picturesque fishing villages along the coast of the IJsselmeer, formerly called the Zuiderzee.

If you’re trying to keep the kids happy head for Madurodam, the world’s largest miniature world. Excursions run daily from Amsterdam and other centres.

Zeeland makes up most of the Delta region. If you’re interested in how a large portion of this country exists under threat from the sea and up to 10 feet below sea level, this is where you witness the wonder of dykes.

For nature lovers, The country's five northern isles in the shallow Wadden zee stretch in an arc proving popular in the summer with locals. Ferries connect the islands and beaches are plentiful and good when the North sea wind lets up.