A compact country that’s a delight to drive around, the Netherlands is famously flat. That doesn’t mean you won’t encounter breathtaking vistas, though, and car rental in the Netherlands will really open up this fascinating nation to you. The lack of mountainous or hilly terrain makes exploring by car a relaxing experience.

The road network is extensive, modern and well-maintained, with no toll roads (there are two toll tunnels in the whole country). You’ll see clear signs for speed limits, which are 130kph on freeways, and 50kph in built-up areas, towns and cities. There often seems to be more bikes than cars in most cities, so be wary and allow cyclists right of way.

You’ll notice that on many major roads, the signs display two names. One of these is the Dutch name for the road but, occasionally, it’ll also form part of a wider European network, and will have an ‘E’ number on it too. This is a good way to head through several countries on the same road if you’re planning a longer trip.

The A roads are the quickest way to travel the Netherlands, whether it’s the A4 from The Hague to Amsterdam, or the A2 that runs north-south and takes in Amsterdam and Eindhoven all the way to Maastricht. The A1 runs east-west, exiting at the eastern border into Germany. Whichever way you head, and whatever your destination, you’ll come across out-of-the-way villages, castles and streams that give you a real sense of the Netherlands beyond the cities.

The Netherlands is an engaging country – a nation of tall, narrow buildings in the vintage style sat side-by-side with achingly hip contemporary architecture. A place of canals, certainly, but also of modern restaurants, fields of flowers and up-to-the-minute living spaces. Like its nearby Nordic neighbors, it combines the best of the new and the old world with effortless ease.

The avenues of Amsterdam

The Dutch capital is the hub that attracts the lion’s share of visitors to the country, and it’s easy to see why. The cobbled lanes, heavy with cyclists, breathe history, while the canals make order out of what was once medieval chaos. It’s a city of world-class museums, where you can barely turn a corner without chancing upon another Van Gogh or Rembrandt. If the weather is fine, head for the Vondelpark – along with the other 10 million visitors who make a beeline for it each year. A fine place to relax, soak up sun or even watch some open-air theater, it’s the heart and soul of the city in the same way that Central Park is to New York.

Across the Netherlands

Utrecht hosts the tallest church building in this relatively low-rise nation, the Dom Tower. Dating from the 14^th century, it scales 112 meters and offers a dizzying perspective on the city below. There’s no lift, however – to make it to the top you’ll have to brave all 465 steps. This buzzing city is home to 40,000 students, ensuring that even the oldest medieval buildings are full of life.

Rotterdam is the most modern city in the Netherlands, largely because it has been rebuilt after almost total destruction in the Second World War. It’s centered around a port and its maritime tradition marries well with the plethora of cutting-edge buildings that form the skyline of this thrusting metropolis. Perhaps the finest example of this is the Erasmusbrug bridge, called ‘The Swan’ by locals. Finished in 1996, it’s more than 800 meters long and has a bascule that rises to allow ships to pass. You’ll find numerous harborside tours, along with great seafood restaurants.

On the west coast sits Den Haag - The Hague, home to the the Dutch Parliament buildings. The courtyard of The Binnenhof was once the site of executions, and the parliament sits in the 17^th-century north wing. You can then stroll to the Mauritshuis museum, home to some major pieces including work from Rembrandt, Hans Holbein the Younger, Rubens and Brueghel. Many visit just to see Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’, but you should also seek out Fabritius’ ‘The Goldfinch’, the inspiration for the novel of the same name by Donna Tartt.

Dutch dining

Don’t leave the Netherlands without sampling some of its food specialties, whether simple street food or more traditional dining. Frying is an art form here, so a cone of frites with ketchup, mayo or even satay sauce is a staple you’ll find in every city.

The same goes for stroopwafel, made of two thin, sweet waffles and filled with syrup. They’re often served while still hot, but you can always warm them up by placing them over a cup of coffee, the perfect accompaniment. A dish best served cold is raw herring, served from carts called haringhandels. Usually served with a simple accompaniment of onions and pickles, it’s lip-smackingly fresh.

Whatever time of year you visit this wonderful part of the world, you’ll find much to see and do, and there’s no better way to see it all than with car rental in the Netherlands.