"The birthplace of Rembrandt and home to Holland’s oldest university — founded in 1575 by Prince William of Orange — Leiden is situated in the heart of the tulip-growing district, with a bucolic setting on the Rhine that could pass for a scene from a Vermeer painting. The town’s botanic garden features the world’s oldest academic observatory, once directed by botanist Carolus Clusius, known for cultivating a dizzying array of tulip species that fanned Dutch tulip mania. A free Leidse Loper app highlights 24 historic sites on a self-paced walking tour.For panoramic views, climb to the top of the De Valk Windmill Museum, a landmark that’s stood in Leiden since 1743. Inside, a working waterwheel and early-20th-century living spaces offer a peek into past lifestyles. Visit on a Wednesday or Saturday to browse some 200 stalls of an outdoor market, where vendors proffer cheese, bike parts, flowers, and other typical Dutch products. From Amsterdam Central take the Intercity train to Leiden Central. The journey takes less than 40 minutes." - MATADOR_NETWORK
