Top 10 Things About the Netherlands

10. The Mauritshuis. This is an amazing museum found in Den Hague (a short train ride from Amsterdam). It houses Vermeer's famous 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' and 'View of Delft'. The museum is small and almost every painting is a masterpiece. You can easily tour the museum in an hour or two, and then have a great lunch (I recommend paninis and Belgian beer) in the restaurant overlooking the adjoining lake.

9. Flowers. Amsterdam has many wonderful flower shops and markets! Not only do you see tulips, amaryllis, lilies, and hyacinths for sale, but you see them decorating the tables in every hotel and restaurant. If you go to the Netherlands, factor in some extra time to frequently "stop and smell the flowers".

8. Old Amsterdam. This is a fabulous Gouda cheese that is perfect with a glass of Sancerre. Pick some up at a local deli or enjoy it as an appetizer. Be aware that cheese is considered a dessert, so request a dessert menu before you order your entr�e.

7. Canals. During the day or at night, every season of the year, the canals and the tall, thin, gabled homes lining them are a beautiful sight.

6. Jordaan district. This is my favorite district in Amsterdam. The restaurants are remarkable! It was a bit of a venture from the hotel on the Rembrantplein, but completely worth it to get away from the neon lights and crowds and enjoy some high quality (though quite pricey) food in a sophisticated atmosphere.

5. The Oude Kirk. This incredibly old church (where Rembrandt's wife, Saskia, is buried) is interesting...but the irony of it is what I enjoy most. What irony? Well, the church is surrounded by prostitutes (and not high quality ones, I might add) showing off their "wares" (or lack of wears). I wonder how many men over the centuries have stumbled out of the arms of a working girl and headed straight for the church to promptly ask forgiveness...

4. Belgian beer and French wine. Major plus of the Netherlands: proximity to France and Belgium. This means an amazing selection of wine and beer. And the Dutch have some great beers, too (think Amstel and Grolsch).

3. People falling in canals. This happens and it is often hilarious (when death is not the result). I once saw a drunk guy swing around a light pole and hurl himself into a canal (I am guessing there were drugs involved and possibly he thought he could fly). He wallowed around in the cold water and screamed for help. Some considerate people tried reaching over the edge to pull him out, but those canal walls are quite tall and this guy was making a rescue difficult by dramatically flailing about. Some Dutch guys on a porch across the street kept yelling at him in Dutch and finally switched to English: "Swim to the boat, bitch!" they instructed. They knew, with their vast canal experience, that the easiest way to get out is to climb on one of the many boats along the walls and jump to the sidewalk. Even though the drunk guy was too panicked/drunk/stoned/? to heed their advice, I will remember it always and pass it on.

2. Okay, I have to acknowledge the Dutch have made an art form out of smoking pot. It is very fun to see the vast amount and variety of coffee shops around the city.

1. Always chocolate for dessert. A wonderful perk to every meal...chocolate, whether in the form of cake, mousse, or bars is included with after-dinner coffee. No need to order dessert...unless of course it is cheese before the meal!