Castle-Museum Sypesteyn

Just forty mins from bustling Amsterdam a hidden gem awaits the vacationer: Castle-Museum Sypesteyn. Set amidst 12 acres of formal gardens and parkland, the apparently mediaeval fortress is the fascinating end result of a younger nobleman's dream. Jonkheer Henri van Sypesteyn believed that his ancestral seat had stood on this spot and it become his overriding desire, at the start of the final century, to rebuild the citadel to honour his family and house and show off his wonderful collections. Eastern and uncommon Dutch porcelain, clocks, weapons, and artwork by way of artists from Holland's Golden

Age are some of the gadgets on show. He put his expert understanding of ancient gardens into the creation of an property which seems to step right out of the sixteenth century; a garden complete with uncommon timber, orchard, topiary, maze and small timber, an unexpected oasis. Sypesteyn, Holland's youngest castle, warmly welcomes its traffic to share in Jonkheer Henri's vision. A visit made whole with a delectable snack or meal within the café-restaurant.