I really took a liking to the Netherlands for its people, cities and countryside. What do you like about this country?

beautiful people, liberal attitudes, cheese,canals, windmills, and art.

Dear quebec,
I am also a traveler who was very much taken with the Netherlands. Next time, I hope to see more of the provinces as well as spending time (again) in Amsterdam. Things I liked? Well, I was impressed with the basic sense of decency and good will which the Dutch seem to posess just naturally. I know this has been discussed many times, but I think the Dutch have struck the perfect balance between their strong Calvinist work ethic and their willingness to enjoy life to the fullest. I also love the architecture, the clean and chilly salt breezes, the accessibility of old master artworks. etc., etc. Sigh.

Everything always seems to be green & colorful & alive...

Attitude. It's the most comfortable place on earth to visit, regardless of who you are or where you're from.
I loved the unapologetic liberalism, and the practical approach to things that people (esp. here in the USA) don't like to talk about.

architecture - fine art - pragmatic attitude.

the wooden shoes

I love the canals and canal houses.. and the coffeeshops and the shopping, and the beautiful countryside..The beer is also good and so are the pastries..Definately like the liberal attitudes and the only thing I don't care for is the weather!!

I'm an American, married to a Dutch, who has lived here for almost 7 years. Before I moved here I would have also used the word "liberal" to describe the Dutch. But liberal they ain't! What you describe as liberal is no more than Dutch tolerance (except in Amsterdam where you might apply the word liberal to some people). Due to its history and the close proximity in which people live, the Dutch are born tolerant and pragmatic. You better get along with your neighbor - even if you disagree with their values, lifestyle, etc - because one day you may need them. Dutch people are very willing to discuss many different subjects that would be considered taboo in the US - and that makes them fascinating to know. I am the most conservative of my Dutch friends and I'm fairly liberal by American standards. Living here in a small village where I walk or bike everywhere, I love most things. That said, am trading it all in for a move to Virginia in the Spring. Holy Cow!

I've just been to Amsterdam. What really struck me was how well-educated everyone seemed. From the cab driver to the waitress to the people behind the desk at the hotel. EVeryone seems to know the history of their surroundings, was able to offer all kinds of information and spoke perfect English. I also was very impressed with the overall attitude and open-mindedness of the population.

The most wonderful thing about the Netherlands was the people! Yes, they have an incredibly rich history and culture, the architecture, canals, the scenery, we enjoyed it all! - but the Dutch generally seem "comfortable in their own skin". The people impressed me as truly sophisticated.

I like its common architecture (not just magnificent cathedrals), whether it be the canal houses or the farm houses I've viewed out the window of a train. The "attitudes" regarding drugs are interesting and a softer stance on soft drugs may be something the US should look at, but better regulation is needed. IMHO, for example, Amsterdam deteriorated (at least in asthetics) in just the three or four years between my visits, largely due to the hippy-fication of the tourist areas.

Vermeer.

Enough said.

Color - The Netherlands, with it love of flowers and brightly-painted buildings is one of the most colorful places in Europe. I would place it only slightly behind Alsace.

As an aside, the "liberal attitudes" of The Netherlands has caused some diplomatic uncomfortableness with several of its neighbors. Many Europeans feel that Amsterdam is a production factory for drug addicts. Young people become addicted in Amsterdam and then move on, infecting the continent with their culture of petty crime and poor decision making. France and Sweden, in particular, have had serious (and well publicized) diplomatic rows with the Dutch government. Chirac has even threatened to reinstate "frontier checks" along the northern border of France. To make matters worse, the Dutch government has developed a reputation for pressuring other European nations to adopt similarly permissive drug laws, because they feel that non-Dutch addicts are being "forced out" of their home countries by relatively harsh laws and end up in Amsterdam where they contribute to an escalation of petty crime. Needless to say, neighboring Europeans are not fond of being lectured on drug policy by the Dutch, whom many French, Swedes, Germans, etc. believe to be of questionable moral character.