The county of Dorset is the quintessential rural English idyll. No holiday in Dorset would be complete without fossil hunting at the world famous Chesil beach, visiting The Cobb pier at Lyme Regis, and of course, experiencing the landscape of Thomas Hardy’s novels.

Jurassic Coast (with a Durdle Door on the left side), Doset, England, UK by Tom Maloney

Dorset’s spectacular Jurassic Coast encompasses every kind of coastal wonder – sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, sand dunes, natural rock arches (a visit to the gravity-defying arch at Durdle Door is a must), rare wildlife and fossils galore (Lyme Regis, Chesil and Charmouth beaches top the list for ammonite seekers)… You could happily spend an entire holiday never straying far from Dorset’s shores, but leave time to explore Dorset’s inland charms as well.

Idyllic hamlets with timber-beamed country inns and chattering streams set against a backdrop of rolling green hills make Dorset the perfect antidote to the city and an excellent choice for a rural getaway. It’s easy to see why the Dorset Downs are a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A walk up Eggardon Hill, crowned with the ramparts of an Iron Age hill fort, affords king-of-the-castle-views across the Dorset countryside and out over the Lyme Bay coast. Visit in September to see the skies over Eggardon Hill alive with colour at the annual Eggardon Kite Festival.

Eggardon Hill, Dorset, England, UK by G1MFG

There is plenty to see and do in Dorset all year round. History lovers will be spoilt for choice. Dorset is home to the iconic Corfe Castle ruins, Maiden Castle (Britain’s largest and most complex Iron Age hill fort) and ancient towns such as Dorchester where Roman, Medieval, Tudor and Georgian buildings jostle for space.

Corfe Castle, Dorset, England, UK by David Bunting

But Dorset is not all about the past. There are plenty of activities rooted very much in the 21st Century to keep the most adventurous of souls entertained. On land, zorbing, llama trekking, rock climbing and jeep safaris are guaranteed to get the blood pumping. There are ample opportunities for getting out on the water in Dorset too, and sailing, windsurfing and kite surfing will get the pulse racing. You can even experience Dorset from the air, a hot air balloon ride over one of the picturesque towns of Sherborne, Blandford Forum or Shaftesbury will give you a buzzard’s-eye view of the rolling landscape so vividly described in Hardy’s novels.

There are endless places to visit with the family, including the Dinosaur Museum and Burngate Stone Carving Centre, where you can try your hand at stone carving, making Dorset a firm holiday favourite with the kids too. With a holiday cottage in Dorset as your base, you’ll never be far from a slice of history, or a slice of the action.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by penwin

1) Keukenhof

First, have you ever seen photos of fields of flowers — that look more like bold, dramatic stripes that go on forever? Well, you were probably looking at images from Keukenhof; it’s the largest flower garden in the world, and is known as “The Garden of Europe.” From March to May, you’ll see long rows of blooms in hues such as purple, yellow and red. About seven million flower bulbs are planted each year. It really is a spectacle not to be missed. You’ll find dining and accommodations at fine establishments such as Restaurant-Hotel Savelberg and NH Zandvoort.

2) Rotterdam

Next, travel over to Rotterdam, the second biggest city in this country. Here you’ll find the largest shipping port in Europe — and because of its vast commerce network, Rotterdam is known as “The Gateway to Europe.” Home of Erasmus University, this city was almost completely destroyed by bombing during World War II. It now, however, is a thriving metropolitan area that hosts several cultural festivals each year, such as for film and music. For meals, step inside Izakaya or Restaurant Ivy, and stay overnight at Hotel van Walsum or Hotel New York.

3) Delft

Another must-see, especially for pottery lovers and history buffs, is Delft. The old city of Delft holds much history — including tales about William of Orange — and is home to the famous blue pottery, which several factories there make. But take a tour at the Royal Dutch Delftware Factory to see just exactly how it’s made. For staying overnight, try Van Der Dussen or Matties. Restaurants worth trying include Hampshire Hotel and Bridges House Hotel.

4) Amsterdam

No trip to the Netherlands would be complete without stopping by Amsterdam — home of the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House. You might like to rent an apartment for the duration of your stay, and if so, renting one of the many Amsterdam apartments might even be less expensive than hotel rooms. Some Amsterdam accommodations include those in the heart of the city and on the outskirts. If being on your own and experiencing this city by blending in with the locals is for you, then renting your own apartment for the holiday. Check out the local cuisine too, such as found at De Kas and the Pancake Bakery.

5) Alkmaar

Finally, stop by Alkmaar. There you’ll discover the Cheese Museum. If you’re a fan of the culinary arts, you won’t want to miss this tour. Also, grab a bite to eat at Hof van Alkmaar or Portofino. If you stay overnight, try the Grand Hotel Alkmaar or the Golden Tulip.
With these top-five cities on your itinerary, you’ll store up a lifetime of memories, and your entire trip will be packed full of excitement. Do your research before you go, and you’ll have an appreciation of the Netherlands that will forever stay with you.

Robin Sharman is a travel blogger who writes about places to visit all over Europe.  A keen traveller, Robin also recommends renting apartments in Rome, Paris and London instead of always going to hotels.

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