The Dutch capital lives up to everyone’s expectations. It’s enchantingly pretty and good fun, very friendly, easy to get around and almost all major attractions are in the centre or very close. One of the best cities in Europe for a short break, Amsterdam works just as well for longer holidays and as a base for exploring a bit more of The Netherlands.

• Hotels in Amsterdam centre range from historic canal houses to international brands. For better value family hotels and self-catering, look at Amsterdam West or South.
• Don’t miss: the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Artis Zoo, Nemo Science Centre, Anne Frank House, Jordaan and De Pijp.

Rotterdam’s a stunning modern city, home to some of Europe’s greatest contemporary architecture and less than half an hour from The Netherland’s wonderful North Sea beaches.

• Try Hoek van Holland and Maasvlakte for broad, sandy beaches and water sports in summer.
• Don’t miss: Rotterdam Waterfront, the Erasmus Bridge, De Markthal, Delfshaven, Rotterdam Zoo, the Katendrecht district, Kunsthal Rotterdam and Withkwartier.

Design capital and one of the oldest cities in The Netherlands, Eindhoven’s great for older kids and teenagers. It’s famous for festivals, fantastic museums, shopping and cycling.

• Lively city with a young atmosphere, plenty of hotels to choose from and significantly less expensive than Amsterdam.
• An hour’s drive from Rotterdam, Amsterdam or Antwerp.
• Don’t miss: Van Gogh-Roosegaarde Cycle Path, Roundabout Design Route, DAF Museum, Evoluon, Van Abbemuseum and Genneper Parken.

Famous for blue tiles and Vermeer, Delft’s one of the prettiest towns in Europe. It’s also less than an hour from the centre of Amsterdam.

• Visit for the 17^th and 18^th century architecture, canal side markets and dramatic medieval town square.
• Don’t miss: the Vermeer Centre, Prinsenhof de Delft, Hortus Botanicus, Eastern Gate and Agneta Park.

Just 20 minutes south of Amsterdam, Utrecht is the birthplace of Miffy and one of The Netherland’s most historic cities.

• Visit for the 13^th century shipyard streets built at canal level, views from the majestic Dom Tower and lunch on Ledig Erf.
• Don’t miss: the Miffy Museum, Archeolab, Dom Under, Trajectum Lumen and Binnenstadt street markets.

The northern city of Groningen is a lot like Amsterdam only less busy and touristy. This is where you really can skate on the canals in winter and cycle all over, any time of year.

• Groningen hotels are less expensive than Amsterdam but you can visit the capital in under two hours by train.
• Don’t miss: Groningen Museum, Nederlands Stripmuseum, Grafisch Museum, Kinderboerderij Stadspark, Noorderlicht and Goudkantoor.