The Netherlands

It's easy to see why the Netherlands is one of the world's top cycling countries. Thousands of kilometers of well-maintained cycle paths await, linking historic cities, blooming tulip fields, windmills and long sandy beaches. The landscape is flat and easy to cycle, but the experiences are anything but monotonous. Cozy cafés, lively squares and thatched-roof houses follow one another in a country where water is always close by and the bike is a natural part of everyday life. The Netherlands is best experienced at a leisurely pace, with time to stop for local cheese, freshly baked apple pie or yet another postcard-perfect canal.