The capital and most populous city of The Netherlands, Amsterdam is known for its art, colourful architecture and myriad canals. It's also packed with fascinating museums and independent shops, and has thriving food and nightlife scenes.

Welcome to the Wadden Islands. Stretching out from the Dutch mainland to Esbjerg in Denmark, the Wadden archipelago is a series of over 50 wildlife-rich islands surrounded by the shallow Wadden Sea. Texel is the largest and 'first' of the chain of islands, best known for its dune-fringed National Park and red lighthouse.

Vlieland was originally attached to the mainland, but after a flood in 1287 it became a separate island. It's one of the least densely populated areas in the country and at only 12km long and 2km wide, is best explored by foot. As well as being car-free, the diversity of natural landscapes gives the island a remote feel, from heavily wooded forests to the largest sandbank in Europe, known as the 'Sarah of the North'.

The Wadden Island of Terschelling boasts a diverse natural landscape, with dune-fringed beaches, forests and heathlands, teeming with wildlife and rare plants. The island's reclaimed agricultural fields, known as polders, are a unique feature of the Wadden Sea region and an essential part of Terschelling's history and culture.

Harlingen is a port town on the northernmost coast of the Friesland province, with a rich fishing history and one of the oldest seaports in the Netherlands. Around its bustling harbour, Harlingen's cobbled streets and independent cafés give the town its gentle pace.