With its trademark tulips, canals and windmills, the Netherlands possesses a beauty that has inspired its many legendary artists. Those who embark on a Netherlands vacation are sure to be inspired as well.

A Netherlands travel itinerary usually starts in Amsterdam, known for its 17th-century architecture flanking scenic canals, world-class museums and racy Red Light District. Canal tours offer an interesting way to see the city. It’s easy to walk around Amsterdam or travel via the tram system. The country is also known for its large number of cyclists, and many visitors rent bikes. Cosmopolitan Amsterdam’s top attractions include floating flower markets, the Rijksmuseum (home to many works by the Dutch Masters), the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House. Other popular places to visit during a vacation in the Netherlands include The Hague, home to the royal family; the modern, lively city of Rotterdam; historic Delft, birthplace of Vermeer, with its namesake pottery that makes an excellent keepsake; and the scenic countryside, with its fields of blooms.

U.S. citizens require a valid passport to enter the Netherlands but not a visa. There are nonstop flights from several U.S. gateways into Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. To explore Holland beyond Amsterdam, it’s easy to rent a car (U.S. driver’s license is required) or travel via rail. Driving is on the right. The coldest months are January and February, when the temperature is usually around 35°F. The average temperature in the summer is a mild 62°F. Currency is the euro. For more information on travel in the Netherlands, log on to us.holland.com, the official website of the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions.