Amsterdam

Working 18th-century windmills, clog workshops and cheese farms along the Zaan river — touristy but genuinely photogenic, especially before 10am.

A mini-Amsterdam with the Grote Markt, the Frans Hals Museum and the Jopenkerk brewery in a converted church, minus the crowds.

Seven million bulbs in bloom across the world's most famous flower garden; combine it with a cycle past the surrounding tulip fields.

Stroopwafel

Two wafer-thin waffles pressed around warm caramel syrup, best eaten fresh off the iron rather than packaged.

Try it at: Rudi's Original Stroopwafels, Albert Cuyp Market

Bitterballen

Deep-fried, molten beef-ragout spheres dunked in mustard — the non-negotiable companion to a beer at borrel hour.

Try it at: De Ballenbar, Foodhallen

Hollandse nieuwe haring

Raw, lightly brined herring with chopped onions and pickles, eaten dangled by the tail or tucked into a soft roll.

Try it at: Stubbe's Haring stand, Singel at the Haarlemmersluis

Indonesian rijsttafel

A colonial-era 'rice table' of fifteen-plus small Indonesian dishes spanning sweet, spiced and fiery.

Try it at: Restaurant Blauw, Amstelveenseweg