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While most visitors to the Netherlands spend their time in Amsterdam and the picturesque towns of the northern region, there is an abundance of places to go and sights to see in the country’s southern half, where fewer tourists venture. The oppositely named Noord-Brabant spans most of the country’s southern girth and offers visitors insight into Dutch history and culture, both past and present.

The Hague is an appealing city that merits more time than a typical day trip from Amsterdam. Compact enough to see the major sights easily on foot, The Hague has an air of sophistication, no doubt thanks to its status as the national capital and the busy diplomatic community resident in the city. The Hague’s location makes it extremely convenient for daytrips to Delft, Leiden, Rotterdam, and myriad other cities far from the hordes crowding the Dam and the Rijksmuseum. One of the most prestigious hotels in the Netherlands, Hotel des Indes delivers a superior guest experience on every level and makes an excellent base for exploring the southern areas of the Netherlands. A member of Leading Hotels Of The World, this prestigious property is located on the green expanse of Lange Voorhout, where the façades of elegant townhouses complement those of other buildings, including a royal palace and the hotel itself.

: Mauritshuis exterior

: Escher in het Paleis

Just north of The Hague is Leiden, known for its excellent university and scenic canal, The Rapenburg, where historical buildings recall the Golden Age of the Netherlands in their grandeur and importance. Among these buildings are the National Museum of Antiquities, the Academy of Leiden University, and the Hortus Botanicus, not a building but rather the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. The beautiful Wereldmuseum is another sight not to be missed; this expansive cultural institution is an enlightening trip to other lands, including Australia. The former museum of Aboriginal art in Utrecht no longer exists, but part of its collection is now on display here at the Wereldmuseum.

Inside Het Markiezenhof, Bergern Op Zoom

Another overlooked city in the southern part of the country is Bergen Op Zoom. Very close to the border with Belgium, Bergen Op Zoom is well off the tourist trail yet offers a pleasant experience for visitors who make the easy train trip from The Hague. Most imposing is Het Markiezenhof, a residential palace for nobility that today serves as an appealing museum. Evoking a sense of the past, Het Markiezenhof is the Netherlands’ oldest city palace. The many rooms house a wide variety of displays, including a phantasmagorical collection of miniature circus models. The palace is essentially two museums in one: the palace rooms, decorated in grand style as befitted a noble residence, and on the upper floor, the somewhat unexpected Carnival Museum, where the atmosphere is less formal but no less interesting. Across the street from the stately entrance gate of Het Markiezenhof is the small bistro Violette that serves steaming bowls of delicious mussels; the best are bathed in Ricard.

: Leiden Wereldmuseum

: Escher cube illusion

There are many other places in Noord-Brabant worth visiting. Tennis fans are undoubtedly already familiar with the grasscourt Wimbledon warmup tournament that takes place each spring in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, while culture mavens will want to make a trip to Breda to visit the Oudemannenhuis, where the Stedelijk Museum Breda showcases a variety of historical displays related to the city and its association with the Nassau family dynasty.

There is much helpful information available on the North Brabant tourism office website, which describes the province as the most welcoming in the Netherlands. I believe it.