The Netherlands is a small monarchy in the Northwest of Europe, between the North Sea, Belgium and Germany , known for much more than cheese, windmills, tulips. Europe's most densely populated region is located within an area of the Netherlands called the Randstad. This urban hub is spread in a circle from Amsterdam , and includes The Hague , Rotterdam and Utrecht and the smaller towns of Haarlem , Leiden and Delft .

Amsterdam is the city of antiques, books, diamonds, and curiosities. In general, shop-opening hours are 1-6pm on Mondays and 9/10am-6pm Tuesday to Friday. Most have late night shopping on Thursday until 9pm, and close earlier on Saturdays, at 5pm. Some supermarkets, like Albert Heijn stay open until 8 or 10 pm. On Sundays, you can shop in the city center, Kalverstraat, Damrak, Leidsestraat, and near the Noorderkerk.

Lovers of food won't find much joy in the Dutch cuisine which traditionally is rather boring. On the other hand, the cheese, chocolate, beer and dairy products are considered of the highest standard and will provide much joy to the connoisseur. Holland 's main natural attraction is its wide swathe of coastline, much of it peppered with artificial sea walls and inland seas, as The Netherlands fights its never-ending battle with the North Sea .