HOLLAND - LAND OF WINDMILLS!

Holland. In the heart of Europe, on the shores of the busiest sea in the world. Where history and modern technology co-exist side by side. 

Centuries ago the silhouettes of picturesque villages began to appear on the horizon in every direction. Their special characteristic: the windmill. In those times windmills were put to many uses. Sawing wood. Making paper and dyes. Grinding corn. And draining land to form polders. In their heyday, there were nearly 10,000 windmills in Holland, of which about 1,000 still exist. The decrease in their numbers can be mostly explained by the advent of other energy sources, making the windmill redundant. Centuries later, windmills are enjoying their revival, albeit in their modern, 20th century form. But instead of sawing wood or grinding corn, they are used as a clean source of energy. Many old windmills (they turn to the left, by the way) operate on Saturdays. If they're flying a blue pennant, it means you can visit. Several windmills even carry authentically-made traditional handicrafts for sale.

If you are lucky enough to be in Holland on the first Saturday of May, you're in for a special treat: it's National Windmill Day, and all the old windmills that are still in working order will be turning.

8 Days - Amsterdam & Brussels

$729 per person + air.

These two charming capitals boast world-famous museums, outstanding performing arts events and illustrious historical sites.