Self-catering holidays Holland. Self catering accommodation Holland.

For many years the Netherlands, with its wide, luminous skies, its placid waters, its dikes protecting the low lands, its bright fields of flowers, and its cities of formal brick, has been the goal of the admirer of civilised beauty. Its cities are, of course, a major attraction for the visitor. The capital Amsterdam is one of the greatest small cities in the world, a dazzlingly beautiful confection of canals, coffee-shops and culture, with a world-class collection of museums and galleries. Delightful Delft, home of Vermeer and its distinctive blue and white pottery; Haarlem, pocket-sized and charming, dotted with wonderful museums; and Utrecht, at the very heart of the Netherlands, packing into its small area all that's typical of Dutch scenery.

Away from the cities, the Netherlands (or Holland, as the British like to call it, though strictly speaking Holland is just a western region of the country) boasts twenty national parks that would be the envy of many bigger nations. There are hundreds of kilometres of sandy coastline, a chain of windswept islands, and shimmering lakes. And Holland's size (or lack of it) and its flatness means there's no better way to way to visit it all than on the saddle of a bicycle.

There's a wide range of self-catering accommodation on offer in the Netherlands. Simple apartments and bungalows are found in the coastal resorts, while in rural areas a bigger variety is available, including larger and more luxurious properties, some with pools. Meanwhile in the Dutch cities, there's a wealth of choice, from a simple apartment, a holiday house, to a luxurious villa. There's something for every taste and to suit every pocket.