The Netherlands is a small flat country whose rather monotonous landscape is more than compensated for by its magnificent cultural heritage and internationally-oriented history. Names such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Vermeer stand out, as does the East India Company whose ships sailed the world in the 16th and 17th centuries and brought back many treasures and cultural influences (think Delft blue ) from foreign lands. Add in the stereotypical windmills, clogs, tulips, cheese and cyclists, round out with a friendly English-speaking population and you have a destination which has so much to offer.