The Volkskrant magazine recently ran an interview with Rik Zaal, who has written a guidebook to the best of the Netherlands: Het best van Nederland: een eigenzinnige reisgids. Here is his top 5 things which every Dutchie should have visited.

1. The medieval churches of Groningen

The church in Termunten – not in Zaal’s list

There are, Zaal says, around 100 medieval churches in in total, but he highlights those in Westerwijtwerd, Huizinge, Westeremden, Stedum, Loppersum, Zeerijp, Leermens, Oosterwijdwerd and Marum. Not only a tour of ancient churches, but a geography lesson at the same time.

2. The Slufter on Texel

Just so you know what is out there

Part of the holiday island where the sea has reclaimed the dunes, creating an area of wetland with edible plants like marsh samphire.

3. The Planetarium in Franeker

Imagine this built into the ceiling of your sitting room

We love this place – the world’s oldest working planetarium built by into the ceiling of an ordinary house in one of the 11 cities of Friesland.

4. Elburg

Elburg has 250 listed buildings

A 15th century ‘city’ in the Veluwe, which Zaal says may well be the most beautiful place in the Netherlands

5. Museum Beelden aan Zee in Scheveningen

Part of the permanent collection

From medieval houses to the horribly developed seaside town of Scheveningen. This museum is the only reason to visit the town, says Zaal.