When the majority of the travelers consider the Netherlands, they normally imagine the lovely canals and vibrant streets in Amsterdam. There is more to this renowned city than meets the eye though. Starting with medieval cities and quiet seaside resorts to creative cities and nature retreats, there are simply too many things to experience in the Netherlands that can be found beyond Amsterdam. To the people who have decided their next European vacation, a tour of these Hidden Gems in the Netherlands may transform a regular vacation into a lifetime adventure centered on culture, history and true Dutch flavor.

In a group of people wandering through cobblestone streets of old houses or sailing down the minor canals with a maze of tulip fields, these alternative attractions are a combination of peaceful rest and adventure that you are seeking. A comprehensive Netherlands sightseeing package offered by reliable travel agencies such as Gokite Tours should assist a tourist to unravel all the best secrets of this magical land. This tour will showcase the best secrets of Delft, the artistic capital of the Netherlands, to the splendid nature of Giethoorn, revealing the most lovely and unique cities and towns that characterize the modest beauty and heritage of the Netherlands.

Here are the Hidden Gems in the Netherlands: Cities Beyond Amsterdam

1. Utrecht -The Heart of the Dutch Culture.

Utrecht is a beautiful city that is often neglected by the attention of other cities in the Netherlands like Amsterdam. It is a smooth fusion between the past and present and imagination. The old town of the city with a towering Dom Tower, quaint canals, and wharf cellars converted into cafes, provides Utrecht with a personality of its own.

The culture of Utrecht is not boring - there are world-renowned museums such as Centraal Museum, visitors can walk the streets of Utrecht through Oudegracht and spend the time in one of the terraces on the banks of the canals. Utrecht is a small city with a relaxing atmosphere, which is quite Dutch in contrast to the bustling Amsterdam streets.

Utrecht is a good spot to be visited by those of those who have booked a trip deal in Netherlands. Only an easy ride to other metropolises, you can experience the convenience as well as the character in a single memorable place.

2. Delft -The City of Blue and White Beauty.

Delft is a gem to be visited with art and beauty, known all over the world with its legendary blue-and-white ceramics. The pre-modern beauty of the city made painters such as Johannes Vermeer be inspired and nowadays the city still attracts its visitors with their art backgrounds. Explore the Markt Square, explore the Royal Delft Factory, and be awed by the complicated canals the city reflects the beautiful skyline on.

Delft is a perfect get away destination when the tourist wants to see the real Dutch art and culture without the bustling of large tourist trade centers. Combine your trip with a Netherlands tourism package by Gokite Tours and you will have both guided tours and personal experiences of the life of the city in its heritage. Be sure to visit the Nieuwe Kerk Tower to have panoramic views: this is one of the most rewarding views in the Netherlands.

3. Haarlem, The Dainty Ally of Amsterdam.

Haarlem is no more than a train ride away, and it is a beautiful city with its historic buildings, bustling markets, and great culture. Haarlem is often referred to as the Little Amsterdam but it is not crowded as much. Its cobblestone streets, quaint little shops and its famous windmills provide a picture-perfect place to explore.

One of the places that art lovers would be eager to visit is the Frans Hals Museum that exhibits the works of one of the most renowned painters of the Dutch Golden Age. In the meantime, the city is anchored in the Grote Markt and Cathedral of St. Bavo central square, where the locals enjoy their meal, music, and festivals.

To people who intend to spend their immersive holiday with Hidden Gems in the Netherlands, Haarlem is the ideal venue where they can enjoy Dutch hospitality and traditionalism without the hustle and bustle of the city.

4. Giethoorn -The Venice of the North.

Not a single car, not a sound, a quiet water and green nature. The Hidden Gems in the Netherlands which is one of the most magical and the Hidden Gem is Giethoorn which is also known as the Venice of the north. This fairytale village is to be visited by boat admiring its picturesque canals with thatched cottages and flower gardens.

Tourists may hire a whisper boat or go on a guided tour of the canals in order to explore the natural beauty of the region. De Weerribben-Wieden National Park that is nearby is ideal in kayaking, cycling and birdwatching. Giethoorn is a place that can be seen as a visual experience of a lifetime to photographers and nature lovers.

In planning your Netherlands trip deals, you should always have Giethoorn as one of your Netherlands travel destinations as the place is a serene escape of city life and a place that offers the serene countryside of the Netherlands.

5. Maastricht A Cocktail of Cultures and History.

Maastricht is a city with European tastes and rich history and is found in the southern section of the Netherlands. This city is located close to Belgium and German borders and it has a specific international atmosphere that makes it unique. It is a good place to be visited by those tourists who want something out of the ordinary because of its cobblestone streets, Roman ruins, and bustling markets.

The center of the city is the Vrijthof Square that is full of energetic cafes and grand churches. History lovers will be delighted with the sightseeing of St. Pietersberg Caves, and food-loving people can savor Limburg-style food, and beers brewed in the region.

When this is no exception to your Netherlands sightseeing package, you may anticipate a city that balances the past and the present quite well - a city that is bound with centuries of tradition and snazzy modernity.

6. Leibniz -The City of Discoveries.

Leiden is a city that is infused with knowledge, art, and innovation and home to one of the oldest universities in the world. It is also the birth place of Rembrandt van Rijn who is one of the greatest painters of all time. The scholarly past of the city, canal systems, and vibrant museums turn the city into a hidden treasure trove when one is curious enough to visit it.

Go to the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden to find out more about the ancient past or go on a scenic canal tour to enjoy the Renaissance architecture of Leyden. The Botanical Gardens (Hortus Botanicus) located here are among the oldest in the world and are a nice break in the center of the city.

In the case of somebody on a Netherlands trip deal, in Leyden there is a combination of learning, recreation and eternal beauty, all in under an hour of Amsterdam.

7. Den bosch (s hertogenbosch) -A Feast of Senses.

The city of Den bosch or den Hertogenbosch is a city that blends the past, art, and food in the most pleasant of ways. Home to a renowned pastry, the Bossche Bol, this little-known place is also full of interesting medieval centre and the gorgeous St. John Cathedral.

The Jheronimus Bosch Art Center will be appreciated by art lovers and is devoted to the local surrealistic painter. A boat trip along the Binnendieze, a network of canals running under the city, presents a new picture of the medieval origins of the city.

Den bosch presents a true cut of Dutch life that is usually overlooked by those tourists who are more inclined to mainstream travelers which makes it one of the best Hidden Gems in the Netherlands when it comes to local culture and cozy hospitality.

8. Groningen - Youthful Power in the North.

At the extreme north of the country is Groningen, a university city who is full of youthful energy, creativity and innovativeness. Being the place with the state-of-the-art architecture, vibrant night life, and cycle-friendly streets, Groningen is the epitome of the Netherlands in the modern world.

The Groninger Museum is a museum of architecture and art while the Martinitoren provides grand views of the city. Groningen has also preserved its historicity despite modernity and their market squares and old canal houses.

The Groningen sightseeing package will be a refreshing change to the usual tourist trail of travelers on a Netherlands sightseeing package, who need culture, fun, and local experiences.

9. A cheese City of the Netherlands Alkmaar.

Alkmaar has to be mentioned in the list of your destinations in cases you want to live in the spirit of the Dutch. The city is known to take pride in its Cheese Market, an annual event that is held every Friday between April and September and is a 200-year-old tradition of cheese making. In addition to cheese, Alkmaar has beautiful canals, quaint streets and interesting history.

National Beer Museum and Cheese Museum: The National Beer Museum and the Cheese Museum are the ideal spots to be visited by people who are interested in the local food culture. The North Sea also has a coast near Alkmaar where one can easily visit the city and spend a day at the beach.

Alkmaar, a part of a Netherlands trip deal will enable the traveler to twofold history and local flavor in a single experience.

10. Gouda – More Than Just Cheese

Gouda is a beautiful medieval town known all over the world due to its cheese however, there is so much more than food that attracts tourists in this city. The Gothic Town Hall and the St. Johns Church of the city form its historic center which is one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands.

The tourism attraction sites include Gouda Cheese Market, trying the original syrup waffles (stroopwafels), and visiting welcoming cafes on the main square. The easy-going atmosphere and small-town charm of the city are the reasons why it is among the best Hidden Gems in the Netherlands to take a small cultural and gastronomic vacation.

11. Breda - an Ideal combination of History and Nightlife.

Breda, in the southern Netherlands is a vibrant but historical place. It was once a royal home and it has a stunning city centre full of monuments, stylish restaurants and night clubs.

Visit the castle of Breda, the Grote Kerk or have a rest in the peaceful park of Valkenberg. The bars and terraces of the city are vibrant with local energetic life as the sun goes down -Breda is the place that will attract those who appreciate history and entertainment.

Breda is a tribute of the Dutch royal heritage mixed with the energy and hospitability of youth and that is why you must visit Breda as part of your Netherlands sightseeing package.

12. Zwolle The Hidden Beauty of the Middle Ages.

Zwolle is a city situated in Overijssel province, which is a blend of creativity and modernity. The city is also renowned with its star-shaped fortification and cultural attractions like the Museum de Fundatie that is located in a beautiful domed house.

Take a walk through its ancient streets, the Sassenpoort Gate, and have a meal in one of the best Michelin-starred restaurants in the Netherlands, De Librije. Such a small but vibrant town as Zwolle is an underdog that is worth exploring.

To the travelers who are planning their deals in the Netherlands, Zwolle should be included in your list of places to visit because it offers a balance between history, art and food.

Conclusion

The Netherlands is a country of contrasts - a country where big cities are intertwined with small villages, and every street is a kind of new adventure. Although Amsterdam is one of the places that one must visit, the real essence of Dutch life has been its small towns and diamond in the rough. The visit to Utrecht, Giethoorn, Delft and Maastricht is one way where the visitor can enjoy the Netherlands in its purest form and free of the tourist hoards. Through the right Netherlands sightseeing package, you will be able to discover the historic streets, peaceful canals, and cultural experiences that many tourists cannot afford to pass by.

When you are fantasizing a journey that is both exploratory, conscious, and native, then these Hidden Gems in the Netherlands will provide the very thing. With Gokite Tours, you can have the most amazing itinerary that allows you to explore the most popular places and explore hidden secrets. You can see gliding along the canals of Giethoorn, or savoring cheese in Alkmaar, you will discover that each place outside of Amsterdam has a tale - a tale which makes the Netherlands memorable indeed.