WHEN you think of a holiday to the Netherlands, most people only think of Amsterdam.
Yet as someone who lived in the country for more than two years, there are so many other amazing places that are overlooked by Brits, but are just as beautiful and with far fewer tourists.
Even better – you can get to them all easily by train for under €35.
From the ‘Venice of the North’ to cheap beer, here are some of my off-the-beaten track places to go as an alternative destination.
Giethoorn
The village of Giethoorn in the province of Overijssel has two nicknames – the ‘town with no roads’ or ‘the Venice of the North’.
The latter nickname comes from its many canals, which you can easily traverse by boat.
In fact, this mode of transportation over the use of cars is so popular, you’re likely to have more boat traffic than road traffic, with lines of them queuing up.
At the entrance of Geithoorn, the first thing you’ll notice is that the village is floating on a massive lake. Instead of paying for a tour, opt for renting a tiny wooden boat and explore the canal belt at your own pace.
If you want to keep things cheap, consider popping into a local supermarket, such as Albert Heijn (just make sure to before entering the village as there are no supermarkets floating about).
Travel down the waterways and you’ll eventually hit a massive pond called Boveenwijde. For many, this is the moment to switch off the engines and enjoy the sun.
This is also the perfect time to crack open one of those beers you bought from the supermarket, taking in the peaceful scenery by water.
While you’re there, head to Northwest Europe’s largest peat bog wetland – the Weerribben-Wieden National Park.
As you make your way through the maze of lakes, ponds and ditches, you might even spot otters floating next to you.
When it comes to places to stay, Giethoorn Old Art Hotel offers guests a perfect base where you can wake up to river views every morning.
Rooms start from €87.76 (£75.21) per night.
Take a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Steenwijk followed by Bus 70 for €33 (£28.30),with a journey time around two hours.
Groningen
Go all the way up to the very top of the Netherlands where you almost hit the coast of the country and you’ll find one of the biggest student cities in the country – Groningen.
The reason for its popularity with students on a budget? The cheap beer.
I managed to find a cold crisp pint for as little as €3.50 (£3) during my student days, but you need to know where to look.
The Warhol bar is easy to sport, with its neon-green Grolsch sign outside and colourful graffiti plastered on the walls.
Make your way through the crowds and red lighting from above and you’ll find a busy bar with wacky animations turning around on the screen behind and pints from €4 (£3.40)
Otherwise there is also ORKZ bar just a bit further down, built into a former Roman-Catholic hospital.
It only became a bar after legal squatters took over in 1979, and now is found in the old kitchen of the hospital and run entirely by volunteers.
Inside find head-banging music, grunge, and famously the city’s cheapest beers where a pint starts from €3.50 (£3).
In the midst of barhopping, check out Grote Markt, a buzzy square in the middle of the city.
Once a central trading spot since the Middle Ages, admire the 15th century gothic Martini Tower – a landmark of the city.
Stay at Martini Hotel in the city center during your trip. Rooms start from €96 (£82) a night and guests can rent bicycles from the hotel to explore the sights of Groningen.
Take a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Groningen for €33.30 (£28.50), taking around two hours.
Gouda
Everyone has heard of the famous Gouda cheese, so why not take a short trip down to the city that invented it?
If you’re visiting during April and August, head to the market square in front of the Stashuis on Thursday morning to find the Cheese Market.
Or dive into the world of cheese by going on the Gouda Cheese Experience.
Found inside an aptly-painted yellow building, visitors are taken on an interactive journey exploring what it takes to become a cheese master.
Another famous snack of the Netherlands is the stroopwafel – and while popular in Amsterdam it was actually invented in this town.
Once the ‘poor man’s cookie’ in the 18th century, it has since become a much-loved quick bite to eat.
One of the most fun places to get them is from a vending machine which serves them warm from €2 (£1.70) – and there are more than 286 compartments to choose from.
Stay at City Hotel Gouda, a stylish hotel along the Gouwe River and a short walking distance to the city’s best attractions. Rooms start from €130 (£112) a night.
Take a 50 minute Intercity train from Amsterdam to Gouda starting from €15.10 (£13).
Den Bosch
In the south of the Netherlands (past Eindhoven) is the small city of ‘S-Hertogenbosch or as the locals call it, Den Bosch.
Right by the station is the Banketbakkerij Jan de Groot bakery, with the local delicacy of Bossche Bol – think a chocolate eclair but rounder – for less than £3.
One of its most famous festivals in town is celebrated in February, with the four-day Oeteldonk where locals dress up as cartoon frogs.
The city changes its name during the carnival to Oeteldonk which translates to Frog Hill which explains the frog costumes.
Don’t worry if the full froggy outfit is too much for you – you can show your support by wearing a combination of red, white and yellow.
As long as you dance to the tunes of the carnival clubs as soon as you step inside, you’ve got the right spirit.
Close to the main station in Den Bosc is the charming Duke Hotel with quaint rooms that start from €118 (£101) a night.
Take a 49 minute Intercity train from Amsterdam starting at €15.30 (£13.11).