I've lived in the Netherlands for 15 years. Skip Amsterdam and head to these charming, lesser-known places.

• As much as I love Amsterdam, the smaller towns here have really stolen my heart.
• I love visiting the historic city of Medemblik, and Veere has some of my favorite views.

Warmond is surrounded by lakes and history.

From the bus stop, you can walk straight into meandering streets along romantic canals, cross old drawbridges, and soon reach the center, where the town opens onto the port.

One weekend every summer, the town transforms for the Jan Haring Race, when traditional flat-bottomed boats race while locals compete in an eel-smoking contest and party.

I’ve been back many times since my first visit, and I always end up in the same spot: on a bench by the water with a passionfruit sorbet from Dolci & Gelati, watching the boats and listening to the bells of the Speeltoren carillon.