Boekhandel Dominicanen Maastricht
Maastricht, Limburg
A dark, squat tower of books rises within the confines of a 700-year-old cathedral, offering a stark contrast between the vaulted and frescoed ceilings and modern black-metal stacks. UK paper The Guardian voted it the most beautiful bookshop in the world in 2008. ‘Cause they, you know, have eyes.
KINDLY DON'T FORGET
Kasteel de Haar
Utrecht
This well-renovated mishmash of neo-gothic Dutch gables and towers is actually the country’s biggest castle, and was property of the prominent van Zuylen family from the 1400s until 2000. Now tours are possible. Plus it’s surrounded by a super-pretty park, which sometimes hosts special events like the spring Elfia fantasy fair.
Oostvaardersplassen
South Flevoland
This pristine, watery nature preserve on the newly (well, 40s to 80s) reclaimed-from-the-sea Flevoland province was allowed to develop without any direction or interference. It’s now home to flocks of four-legged creatures, including wild horses, deer, foxes, and more. Alas, this nature here is so well preserved that visits outside a 5-kilometer trail around the visitor’s center (on the Knardijk) are by guided (boat) tour only.
Sporenburg Borneo-Eiland Bridges
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
Winners of the Footbridge Award 2002, these two sinuous red bridges in the Zeeburg neighborhood are city favorites, though little discovered by anyone outside the locals or the architecture crowd. Officially called the Low and High Bridges, the higher “Pythonbrug” is the more popular for its striking shape.
Bourtange
Groningen
A more epic alternative to the Amsterdam-adjacent Pampus island’s WWII fort ruins next to Castle Muiden, this elaborate network of grass-rampart-guarded moats surrounding a tiny village seemingly frozen in time were constructed to keep out the Germans in the late 16th century. Now it’s designed to lure tourists in, with museums, shops, and cafes (and even a small, historic hotel) in a classic setting. It’s a popular spot for weddings; try not to be surprised. During the summer months, expect some costumed entertainment.
Kindly DON'T FORGET