• Edam, Netherlands
    Edam

Edam

The aptly named region of Waterland, just north of Amsterdam on the west shore of the IJsselmeer, is laced with canals and sprinkled with picturesque red-brick villages. My favorite among them is the homey cheesemaking village of Edam. In this quiet town, you can mellow out like a hunk of aging cheese. There are no real sights, but its tiny main square and peaceful canals may win you over.