Begijnhof - Amsterdam
Enter the serenity of another age as you walk along the paths of this 14th-century convent in the heart of Amsterdam. Take special note of the wooden house, which dates to 1420 - the oldest of its kind in the city. The other houses, cozy brick buildings surrounding the courtyard green, date to the 17th and 18th centuries. Little has changed in this small sanctuary, which was originally built for nuns of the Beguine order. In fact, the Begijnhof is still home to single women only. The church in the center of the courtyard dates to 1419 and has belonged to the English Presbyterian Church since 1607. Another fascinating relic of history is the 17th-century chapel, which was once a conventicle where persecuted Catholics came to worship in secret. http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/nl/hofjes/begijnhof.html

Edam is renowned all over the world for its delicious round cheeses, which have always been exported in that famous red packaging. An incredible half a million cheeses a year were produced in Edam in the middle of the 17th century. If you are a cheese lover, the traditional summer cheese market is your dream come true. The exhibition at the 16th-century Kaaswaag (weigh-house) will tell you all you ever wanted to know about the preparation process. When you see how the cheese is made, ripened, stored and given its final shape and taste you'll understand why it's so popular throughout the world.
Nieuwenhuizenplein 5
1135 WT Edam
+31 (0)299 372842
Open: April thru September 10am-5pm
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http://www.vvv-edam.nl

Dam Square - Amsterdam
Seven centuries ago, a dam was built on the Amstel river, which grew through the ages into the Netherlands' capital of multi-culturalism. Dam Square, which now marks the site, is one of the most colorful stages in Amsterdam street life. Crowds of tourists head for the Dam to admire the monument and rest among the pigeons, who seem to flock there to join in on an ever-present carnival. The buildings surrounding the square are also well worth noting. The architectural styles, which date as far back as the seventeenth century (note the café at number 11), are a testimony to a city that has always moved with the times.
http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/uk/intro/topo1.html

Deltawerken - Grevelingendam
The awe-inspiring Grevelingendam is part of the famous Deltawerken which were specially built after the flood disaster of 1953 to seal off the inlets in the Rhine-Maas-Schelde Delta. Constructed between 1958 and 1965, the dam connects Duiveland with Overflakkee. The last part of the channel was built with blocks of stone which had to be transported by a cable lift.
Eiland Neeltje Jans 1
4328ZG Burgh-Haamstede
+31 (0)111-652702
Open: Daily: 10.00 - 17.30
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http://www.neeltjejans.nl

Euromast Rotterdam
Visit Euromast and see all of Rotterdam lie at your feet. Spectacular, panoramic views stretch across the city from every level of this symbol of city pride. From the 100-meter platform restaurant to the 185-meter Space Tower, where views extend up to 30 kilometers beyond Rotterdam. Evening tours reveal a breathtaking display of lights spread throughout this peerless harbor city.
Parkhaven 20
3016 GM Rotterdam
+31 (0)10 4364811
Open: July and August: Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am-10.30pm, Sundays and Mondays 10am-5pm 29 March to 30 September 10am-7pm October to 28 March 10am-5pm
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http://www.euromast.nl/

Nieuwe Waterweg - the Europoort - Rotterdam
Sprawled out along Nieuwe Waterweg, the Europoort district is a vast, awe-inspiring center of industry. Every year, some 32,000 freight ships sail into Europe via this port of entry, which is also the world's largest harbor. Boat tours offer a closer look at the immense vessels than line countless wharves and quays, where a whirl of activities takes place in systematic, methodical fashion - a testimony to industrial achievement.
Willemsplein 85 (point of departure)
3016 DR Rotterdam
+31 (0)10 2759988
Open: Day trip Europoort on Tuesdays in July and August: departure 10.30 am and return 5pm. This cruise includes an extensive buffet lunch.
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http://www.spido.nl/

Flower auction - Aalsmeer
Aalsmeer, home to the world's largest flower auction, is the heart of the Netherlands floral trade. Here in the enormous 63-hectare auction hall, buyers rush to sales rooms to compete in a flower buying frenzy. With such short life-spans, it's either deal or dump with flowers. When a new bushel hits the bidding cart, the clock begins the countdown from 100. Buyers bid by hitting the button and stopping the clock. Every year, the auction sells some 4 billion flowers and 400 million potted plants, a whopping 80% of which is destined for the export market.
Legmeerdij 313
1431 GB Aalsmeer
+31 (0)297 392185 or
Open: Mondays to Fridays 7.30-11am
http://www.vba-aalsmeer.nl/

The Keukenhof - Lisse
The Keukenhof, the National Flower Exhibition, is one of the world's most spectacular flower parks. The beds are planted with some 7 million bulbs. The best time to visit the Keukenhof is between late March and late May, when you will be dazzled by the sight of wide swathes of flowering daffodils, tulips and hyacinths. At the same time, you can admire the white blossom of Japanese cherry trees and brightly colored azaleas and rhododendrons. This English-style park (28 hectares) is laid out on undulating terrain and is complete with ornamental ponds and winding streams. The platform of the Groningse korenmolen (1892) provides a charming view of the neighboring bulbfields. 
Stationsweg 166
2161 AB  Lisse
+31 (0)252 465555
Open: 8am-7.30pm
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http://www.keukenhof.nl/

Tourists flock to Marken because they love to soak up the atmosphere of nostalgia. Most of the wooden houses (some from the 17th century) that line the snug little streets are painted dark green. Many of them still contain box beds with a special drawer that served as a crib. Some of the locals even wear traditional dress.This former fishing village lies on an island in the IJsselmeer, 2.5 kilometers from the coast. Before the Zuiderzee was separated from the North Sea by the Afsluitdijk in 1932, the inhabitants of Marken lived from the fiishing catch. In 1957 a dyke was built to link the island to the mainland.  

Paleis Het Loo - Apeldoorn
"Paleis Het Loo, one of the major places of interest in the Netherlands, has often been called the ?Versailles of the Netherlands? because of its splendor and magnificence. In this 17th-century hunting lodge you can wander through sumptuously decorated period rooms with luxurious furnishings, exquisite porcelain and rare tapestries dating from the reign of William and Mary in the 17th century to the time of Queen Wilhemina (grandmother of the present Queen Beatrix), who died here in 1962. The state beds, many with a canopy, are made up with the finest linen. In the sitting-room/study of Queen Wilhelmina you feel as if Her Majesty could walk in at any moment. Royal coaches, hunting cars and sleighs are displayed in the stables. Don't miss the quaint little caravan where Wilhelmina tried her hand as a painter." 
Amersfoortseweg 1
7313 AA  Apeldoorn
+31 (0)55 5772400
Open: Tuesdays to Sundays 10am-5pm
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http://www.paleishetloo.nl