Amsterdam, the Veluwe heathlands and Limburg are the most popular city, region and province in the Netherlands, according to a poll of 11,000 people by brand consultancy Hendrik Beerda.

‘Even though shopping is the average Dutch person’s favourite hobby, nature still holds the strongest attraction for people who want to relax with family and friends,’ a spokesman told RTL news.

The Veluwe national park headed the list of some 500 favourite places to go for day trippers. Southern parts of Limburg and the Wadden Sea area were in second and third place in the ranking. Amsterdam was again the most popular city, followed by Maastricht and Utrecht.

People living in Groningen were the most proud of their city, praising the cafes, shopping, education and sports facilities. The people of Almere were least happy with where they live.

Top 10 cities (2011)

1. (1) Amsterdam
2. (2) Maastricht
3. (3) Utrecht
4. (6) Rotterdam
5. (4) The Hague
6. (5) Den Bosch
7. (7) Groningen
8. (11) Breda
9. (10) Nijmegen
10. (8) Arnhem

Top 10 provinces (2011)

1. (1) Limburg
2. (2) Noord-Brabant
3. (4) Gelderland
4. (3) Noord-Holland
5. (5) Zuid-Holland
6. (6) Utrecht
7. (8) Drenthe
8. (7) Zeeland
9. (10) Overijssel
10. (9) Friesland

Top 10 regions (2011)

1. (1) Veluwe
2. (2) Southern Limburg
3. (3) Texel
4. (5) Wadden Sea area
5. (4) Randstad
6. (10) Twente
7. (6) Terschelling
8. (9) Achterhoek
9. (7) Betuwe
10. (8) Biesbosch