The Netherlands is an eclectic; multi-cultural country with a long history of innovation in harnessing its below-sea-level land via windmills, canals, and dykes. It's renowned for its tulip fields and sets the standard for flowers worldwide. The Netherlands has a progressive culture of tolerance, memorializing its role in the brutalities that took place during World War II. Its center of government, the Hague, is a worldwide symbol of peace through justice. With modern, efficient public transportation; bike-friendly cities; cheese shops around every corner; and innumerable museums filled with timeless masterpieces, the Netherlands is one country that should not be missed.