While trains are the standard in Europe, the Waterbus is the secret to navigating the Dutch region of South Holland. You can take a fast ferry directly from Dordrecht to the windmills of Kinderdijk or even into Rotterdam. It is scenic, efficient, and accepts the same travel cards as the buses and trains.

For Amsterdam, the days of "walking in" to major sites are over. Tickets for the Anne Frank House are often released six weeks in advance and sell out within minutes. The Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum also require time-slot reservations. Book these before you even pack your bags.

In Ghent, head to the famous bar Dulle Griet. If you order the massive 1.2-liter "Max" beer, the waiter will ask for one of your shoes as a deposit. They pull it up to the ceiling in a basket to ensure you don't walk off with their expensive, artisanal glassware. You get it back when you finish!

Don't just rush out of the station when you arrive in Antwerp. Antwerpen-Centraal is consistently voted one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. Take a moment to admire the massive dome and grand staircases—it’s a free "museum" experience before you even enter the city.

Bruinisse is a fishing village famous for its mussels and oysters from the Grevelingenmeer. Look for the giant mussel statue in the harbor. For the best experience, visit a local "visrestaurant" (fish restaurant) at the harbor to eat seafood that was likely caught that morning.

In Amsterdam and Ghent especially, bike lanes are not suggestions—they are highways. Walking in a bike lane is the fastest way to get shouted at (or hit). Look for the red-colored pavement and always look both ways before crossing, as cyclists often have the right of way over pedestrians.

Many tourists skip Dordrecht, but it is actually the oldest city in Holland. Skip the main shopping street and head to the Hof van Nederland or the Groothoofdspoort (the old city gate). The leaning houses over the water here are often more photogenic and far less crowded than those in Amsterdam.

If you plan to visit the MAS Museum, the Rubens House (Rubenshuis), or the Diamond Museum (DIVA), the Antwerp City Card is high value. It includes public transport and gets you into most major sites, which is helpful since Antwerp’s attractions are slightly more spread out than Ghent’s.

Ghent and Antwerp feature historic centers with original, uneven cobblestones. Leave the heels or thin-soled shoes at home. Sturdy, cushioned walking shoes are non-negotiable if you want to explore the Patershol district in Ghent or the Grote Markt in Antwerp without foot pain.

At St. Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent, the legendary Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (The Ghent Altarpiece) now has a high-tech Virtual Reality tour. It provides incredible context on the painting’s history of being stolen by Napoleon and the Nazis before you see the real masterpiece.